Poilievre pledges to ‘axe the tax’ in P.E.I., stops short of promising cut to Confederation Bridge tolls
![](https://risepei.news/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PE-16082023-Poilievre-SN-780x470.jpg)
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Rising meals and gas prices had been the primary matters on the thoughts of Pierre Poilievre throughout his go to to Prince Edward Island on Aug. 16.
Throughout a media briefing at a Petro-Canada station on Capital Drive, simply outdoors of Charlottetown, the Federal Conservative Celebration chief pointed to the rising prices of gasoline, which at present stands at $1.86 a litre.
“Have a look at Trudeau’s tax proper there,” Poilievre stated, gesturing to an indication close by.
“Fuel costs have skyrocketed throughout Atlantic Canada since Trudeau’s tax took impact firstly of final month.”
If he turns into prime minister, Poilievre pledged to “axe the tax,” and rescind the carbon pricing coverage of the Justin Trudeau Liberal authorities.
“Simply this week we noticed the inflation numbers out. And meals inflation was worse in Prince Edward Island than anyplace else.”
Fuel costs have certainly risen by over 20 cents a litre in P.E.I. for the reason that begin of July, in keeping with the Island Regulatory and Appeals Fee (IRAC).
A few of these will increase – about seven cents a litre – have been as a result of each a rise in carbon pricing and new clear gas rules for refiners, which had been imposed by the Federal authorities.
The remainder of the will increase have been as a result of fluctuations in international oil costs.
“Oil costs have been up no matter what’s taking place with the taxes. The taxes are a part of the story however I would not say they’re anyplace near being the vast majority of the story,” UPEI economist Jim Sentance advised SaltWire in an interview earlier this week.
The value of meals has additionally been rising steadily in P.E.I., regardless of the comparatively low inflation numbers this summer time.
As of July, in keeping with new numbers from Statistics Canada, the value of groceries rose by 8.4 per cent in July, in comparison with the earlier 12 months.
‘Greenlight inexperienced initiatives’
Carbon pricing coverage has been a cornerstone of the Trudeau Liberal local weather change plan for years.
When requested what he would do to scale back greenhouse gasoline emissions, with out a carbon tax, Poilievre stated approvals for inexperienced power initiatives like tidal energy and nuclear have to occur faster.
“Let’s greenlight inexperienced initiatives relatively than making an attempt to boost the price of conventional energies which might be nonetheless required,” Poilievre stated.
Poilievre stated he had simply met with P.E.I. Premier Dennis King. King raised the topic of tolls on the Confederation Bridge, which he has prompt needs to be lower in half.
![Premier Dennis King has long argued that tolls on the Confederation Bridge should be reduced. File - Contributed](https://www.saltwire.com/image/media/photologue/photos/2023/5/29/confederation-bridge-closing-for-concrete-work-june-3-1.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=clip&h=700&w=847&auto=format%2Ccompress%2Cenhance)
Poilievre didn’t decide to dropping the tolls to $20 however didn’t dismiss the notion.
“I am open to it,” he stated.
“I am unable to provide you with a sure or no right here as a result of I am not unveiling my election platform at this second. However I am right here to say that I’ve heard the argument. I perceive the frustration and the priority.”
Jousting with media
Poilievre’s press convention included a terse trade with reporter Teresa Wright.
Wright stated latest speaking factors by the Conservative chief in regards to the World Financial Discussion board have been characterised by some as “canine whistling.”
“Are you making an attempt to courtroom the far proper vote?” Wright requested Poilievre in Charlottetown.
“Your query appears to be primarily based on a false premise. You’ll be able to’t even inform me who these specialists are. It sounds prefer it’s only a CBC smear job. Thanks, subsequent query,” Poilievre stated.
Wright doesn’t work for the CBC.
Canadian Press reported earlier this week that Poilievre has pledged, if elected, to ban ministers from attending World Financial Discussion board conferences. The Discussion board conferences, held yearly in Davos, Switzerland, are often attended annually by an unique membership of enterprise and authorities leaders.
Regardless of the attendance of former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper at these conferences, the WEF conferences have lengthy been a fixation of conspiracy theorists on the correct. The conferences in Davos, Switzerland had been additionally a goal of leftist anti-globalization protests within the early 2000s.
The Canadian Press story on the topic was later dismissed in a social media message by Poilievre, who incorrectly claimed the Canadian Press was a “CBC information service.”
Trudeau’s media are determined to cease his continued downfall. Right this moment, CBC’s information service CP wrote a success piece on me as a result of I dared criticize the World Financial Discussion board—a gaggle of multinational CEOs and highly effective politicians that push their pursuits.
I work for our individuals on this…
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) August 13, 2023
Poilievre’s P.E.I. go to comes one week earlier than Trudeau and his newly revamped cupboard will maintain a cupboard retreat in Charlottetown.