Scheer gives his perspective on pressing issues
Marijuana, a carbon tax and dealing with the U.S. administration were among topics federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer addressed during a stop in Truro.
Scheer voiced strong opposition to the carbon tax when he spoke at a Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce luncheon last week.
“We know that the carbon tax will hit Canadians in every part of the country,” he said Thursday. “It will have a devastating impact on agriculture. It will have a devastating impact on the fishing industry as well.”
He said when the Conservatives asked, through Access to Information, what the tax would cost the average Canadian, they received information with numbers blacked out. He said they were told it would have too much of an impact on the economy if Canadians knew what those numbers were.
“We are opposed to the carbon tax and we don’t let anyone call it a price on carbon, because a price is something the economy sets, the free market sets based on supply and demand and that you
have a choice on paying,” stated Scheer.
“When the government sets the cost and it goes into federal treasuries, that’s a tax.”
He added the Conservatives will be announcing alternatives to a carbon tax, that are centred around incentives for efficiencies.”
He acknowledged difficulties in dealing with those in charge in the U.S.
“No matter who is in power today, it would be a challenge dealing with the United States administration; I think that almost goes without saying.
“This administration is not looking at the trade relationship as a whole. It’s diving into it sector by sector and deciding whether the United States is in a good or bad position by one metric, and that is whether or not there is a trade surplus or deficit on each commodity.”
He said he finds the deficit alarming.
“We know it affects the ability of the government to respond to international events,” he said.
“With an $18-billion deficit, they’re spending more and more money on interest payments on that debt, and they don’t have the flexibility to respond to things be- yond their control.
“Today’s a perfect example of that. We learned today that President Trump is slapping tariffs on steel and aluminum.
“In the most recent budget, there’s not a single mention or any kind of a contingency plan for industries or workers affected by trade disruptions with the United States.”
He reiterated his stance against the legalization of marijuana, saying Conservatives voted against it and are fundamentally opposed to it.
“I don’t believe they’ve done the proper consultation,” he said. “It is going to be additional stream of revenue for the federal government, while all the costs fall on municipal and provincial governments.”
He added when it comes to the environment, the Conservative plan will “speak to all kinds of things” and work toward the day when cities don’t send their waste water into lakes, rivers and oceans.