Canadian PM pushes back on demands to dump carbon price hike [Video]

CALGARY – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pushed back Wednesday on growing demands from premiers to dump the planned April 1 hike to the consumer carbon levy, saying leaders must tackle both affordability and climate change.

“My job is not to be popular,” Trudeau said, briefly pausing and adding with a wry smile, “Although it helps.”

“My job is to do the right things for Canada now and do the right things for Canadians a generation from now.”

Trudeau made the comments to reporters in Calgary after meeting earlier in the day with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for the first time since last summer.

She and six other premiers have called on Trudeau to abandon the 23-per-cent hike to help Canadians already dealing with squeezed household budgets.

Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre has also railed against the levy and in a statement Wednesday said his party plans to force multiple votes …