Sask. NDP leader combats claims of carbon tax support following Ottawa visit
Members of the Sask. Party claim a recent trip by the leader of the opposition reveals her party’s secret support for the federal carbon tax.
The accusation came up during question period on Monday, when Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson highlighted Carla Beck’s trip to Ottawa last week for a meeting with the Canadian Labour Congress.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh were in attendance.
“It is now clear whose side the NDP is on and it’s not Saskatchewan’s. They support the carbon tax. Their leader flies to a meeting in Ottawa to help him get re-elected,” Jenson said. “The NDP is Trudeau’s choice for Saskatchewan.”
In her response, Beck made it clear that her party disagrees on many issues with its federal counterparts.
“I had some great meetings in Ottawa. I met with Saskatchewan health care workers, those who work in uranium, those who work in oil and gas. All of who were being failed by this tired and out of touch government,” she explained.
“I met with Jagmeet Singh, as well as members of the federal government and let them know that we oppose the carbon tax, that the home heating carve out is unfair and that we need a better deal on equalization.”
Additionally, Beck reiterated her claim that her party is the only one in Saskatchewan willing to work with the federal government.
“Saskatchewan New Democrats will work to get a deal. Whether that’s a school lunch program, whether it’s diabetes and contraceptive coverage, or when it comes to leaving federal dollars on the table,” she said, motioning towards the government side of the assembly.
“Saskatchewan people expect their government to lead no matter who’s in power in Ottawa.”
- Sask. premier expects 'no consequences' over decision to stop collecting carbon tax on electric heat
Beck ended off by calling on the government to cut the fuel tax as a form of affordability relief.
Speaking with reporters following question period, Premier Scott Moe described the event Beck attended as a “campaign school.”
“What we saw was the, not only the opposition leader, but members of the NDP caucus attend a ‘call to arms’ meeting put on by the Canadian Labour Congress that really was a campaign school on how to campaign against conservatives,” Moe said.
“The NDP leader didn’t just attend, she presented at that meeting and if we agree on the fact that we need to get rid of the carbon tax not only in Saskatchewan but across Canada … We should not, in this province, be out attending campaign schools on how to keep Justin Trudeau in power.”
In an April 17 news release titled “Labour reps discuss election strategy and union momentum,” the Canadian Labour Congress described its meeting as focusing on how to advance the rights of workers.
According to the event’s itinerary, the organization released new polling data and made an announcement regarding the Canadian Football League Players’ Association, while its Canadian Council heard from invited guests for more than five hours.
Since becoming leader, Beck has gone on record numerous times to voice her party’s opposition to the federal carbon tax.
Last October, in a rare display of consensus in the assembly, the official opposition joined with the government to unanimously pass a motion supporting not collecting or remitting the carbon tax on natural gas used for home heating.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.