Premiers Higgs, Smith call on MPs to abandon carbon pricing program [Video]

Conservative premiers continued their war on the Liberal government’s carbon pricing policy Thursday, telling MPs on a parliamentary committee that the planned increase to the price should be scrapped along with the entire federal program.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs made their arguments before the government operations and estimates committee, a day after Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe appeared to make similar arguments.

Smith said the planned increase from $65 to $80 per tonne, scheduled for April 1, should be called off. She also described the plan to increase the price to $170 per tonne by 2030 as “reckless,” “immoral” and “inhumane.”

“The added pressure will ruin countless lives, futures and dreams. It’s a weight that Canadians can’t bear,” Smith said. “It’s why Alberta has been calling on the federal government to eliminate the carbon tax since 2019.”

Smith said inflation over the past two years has increased the price of everything in …