Carney pledges April 1 end to consumer carbon tax, but claims industrial levy will boost competitiveness

Mark Carney delivered a speech in Hamilton telling supporters that he would end the consumer portion of the carbon tax on April 1 – the day the federal levy is set to increase.

Author: Noah Jarvis

Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney delivered a speech in Hamilton telling supporters that he would end the consumer portion of the carbon tax on April 1 – the day the federal levy is set to increase.

Despite this, Carney stated on Tuesday that he believes continuing with the industrial aspect of the carbon levy would make Canada “more competitive” globally without offering details. Hamilton is the home to Canada’s industrial steel base, alternatively known as “Steeltown” due to the large number of producers located in the city.

Carney’s general remarks centred on rolling back the carbon tax, refocusing the country’s economic strategy and ditching the United States for other allies.

The former Bank of Canada governor acknowledged the widespread discontent surrounding the consumer carbon tax, which he described as “fundamentally divisive” and “not fully understood” by many Canadians despite extensively supporting carbon pricing in the past.

Carney also pledged an end to the consumer carbon tax by April 1 while making industries pay more. Critics have accused Carney of being untransparent with his new climate plan, arguing that industries would pass on the cost to consumers.

“That’s a lot of money. If you just axe the tax, you don’t help our steel companies and our auto companies become more competitive in a world where we need new trading partners,” said Carney.

“So what we did is we proposed to yes axe the tax for individuals, for small businesses, for farms, for medium-sized businesses, it’s going to be gone. I’m elected leader, and it’ll be gone by April 1st, just to be clear.”

Carney also commented on Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. He dismissed Poilievre’s reliance on market-driven, free-market policies, likening the Conservative leader to those who “only have ever been a politician” and accusing him of espousing outdated “trickle-down economics.”

“There is no stronger believer in the power of the market and free enterprise and Milton Friedman’s fundamentalism than someone who’s only ever been a politician,” said Carney.

“That sort of trickle-down economics is not what we need. It’s not what’s going to drive this country.”

Instead, Carney proposed a vision for Canada’s economic future that leans heavily on government-led investment.

On U.S. President Donald Trump and the threat of further tariffs, the Liberal leadership candidate accused the White House of being interested in Canada’s resources, particularly water.

“They will destroy our way of life because America’s many things and it’s a great country, but America is not Canada,” said Carney.

“In America, diversity is now an insult, and it soon will be a crime.”

Carney said if leader he could “influence” Trump, pointing to issues like fentanyl trafficking and border security that demand attention on both sides of the border.

“We can’t control President Trump; we can, I think, influence him. By taking seriously some of the issues that he raises, taking them at face value,” said Carney.

Alternatively, Carney suggested that Canada turn away from the U.S. and solidify further relations, particularly in Asia and Europe.

“We’re going to diversify our trading partners into Europe, the UK, some of the major powers like-minded countries in Asia, not all countries in Asia, but like-minded,” said Carney.