Conservative MP James Bezan rises during Question Period, Friday, October 20, 2023 in Ottawa. Bezan is promising that if the party forms government after the next election, it would renegotiate a trade deal with Ukraine, after voting against its current one. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
OTTAWA – A Tory member of Parliament says a future Conservative government would renegotiate Canada’s trade deal with Ukraine.
Manitoba MP James Bezan says his government would ensure the agreement contains no mention of carbon pricing – and that no other trade deals do either.
He made the comments on a Ukrainian TV network last week, aired after the Tories voted against legislation to implement an updated Canada-Ukraine free trade deal.
Ukrainian groups expressed disappointment over the vote and Liberals accused the party of mimicking right-wing politicians in the U.S. who want to reduce aid to Ukraine.
Bezan told the network the reference to carbon pricing was a “poison pill” Tories can’t support, adding they would also change the deal by adding insurance provisions.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said last week his party wouldn’t honour what he called a “carbon tax amendment,” but stopped short of outlining what he planned to do about the deal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2024.
