Gas price hike fuels debate in N.B. Legsilature

What to do about rising gas costs within the Atlantic area sparked one other fiery debate within the New Brunswick legislature Friday.

The Blaine Higgs authorities continues in charge Ottawa, saying the carbon tax is “detrimental to our future livelihood,” whereas the Liberal opposition goes after the federal government, saying it has the chance to assist New Brunswickers cope – however isn’t taking motion.

“You realize the numbers, you may have acted final yr, you determined to not, as an alternative to provide a billion {dollars} to bankers,” mentioned Liberal opposition chief Roger Melanson on the ground of the legislature.

Legal professional Basic Ted Flemming fired again.

“Why are we making Vladimir Putin wealthy? Why are we shopping for power from the Ayatollah Khomeini in a terrorist state? Why are we shopping for power from a bunch of Venezuelan thugs? We’re dying of thirst as a result of we gained’t drink our personal water,” he mentioned, pointing towards the opposition.

The remarks have been sparked after per week of record-breaking gasoline costs, now over $2 a litre in each Atlantic province.

Nova Scotia noticed its minimal worth enhance in a single day, now 198.5 cents per litre within the RisePEI area, larger in Cape Breton at 200.5 cents per litre.

Prince Edward Island additionally noticed one other enhance this week, its minimal now at 202.8 cents a litre.

The controversy over what to do is gaining traction. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says provincial governments ought to choose a tax, and cut back it.

“It doesn’t actually matter which tax they’re decreasing,” mentioned Renaud Brossard, Interim Atlantic Director, earlier this week.

“The actual fact is individuals pay 5 taxes each time they go for replenish — so whether or not it is a gasoline tax, a carbon tax, or a number of the gross sales taxes that could possibly be lowered — there’s lots of good choices premiers may take a look at.”

Premier Higgs has introduced up a attainable rebate, as soon as he is aware of how a lot income the province is making off the excessive gas costs. However continues in charge Ottawa’s carbon tax any likelihood he will get.

“We now have a primary basic coverage that’s detrimental to our future power safety, our future livelihood and it is simply been introduced up as extra of a difficulty in relation to the disaster in Europe,” mentioned Higgs.

Melanson is skeptical a rebate will actually occur.

“He did not take into account a rebate, he simply thought of it or someone whispered to him that, ‘perhaps it is a good suggestion, you already know they’re polling this week and you already know perhaps it’d get the headlines,” mentioned Melanson.

“He bought the headlines. My level at the moment, premier, is get to work and inform us what you actually meant.”

In Nova Scotia, the Liberal Celebration can also be calling on Tim Houston’s Progressive Conservative authorities to return a portion of their gas tax to Nova Scotians.

“Folks want aid, and so they want it yesterday. The place is Premier Houston’s resolution for the cost-of-living disaster?” mentioned Liberal chief Iain Rankin in a launch.