NDP hopefuls take aim at Wall
Federal leadership candidates talk carbon tax at only Prairie debate
The four candidates fighting to be the next leader of the federal NDP could not give a clear answer as to how they would handle a premier like Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall, who simply refuses to agree to a national carbon tax.
“No offence, but he’s like the man violently defending the future of the typewriter when everyone else has moved to cellphones,” NDP leadership candidate Charlie Angus said during the party’s leadership debate in Saskatoon on Tuesday.
“I will work with any government on the Prairies that’s willing to diversify our economies so that we can build a way forward and Mr. Wall, I’m sorry, but the 20th century is over, we’re well into the 21st century.
“… I say get on the program and start working with us.”
The Saskatoon debate — which was the fifth of eight such events happening across Canada this year — is the only one happening in the Prairies in advance of the party’s October leadership vote and featured a number of questions on issues specific to the region.
Unsurprisingly, the evening kicked off with a question about the federal carbon tax, which Wall and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister oppose.
Wall has promised to take Ottawa to court if the province is forced to adopt the plan.
“Plainly put, Brian Pallister and Brad Wall are wrong,” said candidate Guy Caron, an NDP MP from Quebec.
Leadership candidate Jagmeet Singh, an NDP Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario who wants his party to push for more ambitious carbon emission targets, said it’s important to acknowledge that “one size doesn’t fit all” when it comes to a carbon plan and said province-specific solutions need to be explored.
Candidate Niki Ashton, NDP MP for northern Manitoba, said she knows Wall does not speak for everyone in the province when he opposes the carbon tax and said governments need to support diversifying the economy.
More than 400 people flocked to TCU Place on Tuesday to take in the debate, forcing organizers to bring in additional chairs. Still, some spectators had to stand in the back to hear the hopefuls speak.
Candidates spoke about the need to improve relationships with Indigenous people and grow support for the NDP. They acknowledged that Justin Trudeau’s Liberals will be a daunting opponent in the next election, but stressed there’s a desire
I didn’t get into politics to carry the plate for the Liberal dinner.
for change in the country that the party needs to capitalize on.
Candidates were asked if they would be prepared to partner with Trudeau if it would mean keeping the Conservatives out of power.
The answer from all? No. “I didn’t get into politics to carry the plate for the Liberal dinner,” Angus said.
The next leadership debate is scheduled for Aug. 2 in Victoria.