Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King, left to right, field questions at the closing news conference at a meeting of the Council of Atlantic Premiers in Halifax on March 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
OTTAWA – The federal government is accusing Atlantic premiers of playing politics with the planet in a clash of wills over two new climate policies set to take effect on Saturday.
But some Atlantic Liberal MPs are anxious about the potential blowback when those policies create some sudden pain at the gas pumps, even if some of the price increases may be premature.
The four Atlantic premiers want Ottawa to delay its new clean fuel regulations, which take effect Saturday, arguing they will have a disproportionate impact on their provinces.
Federal officials say the regulations won’t actually have much financial impact for the first few years because most of the companies are already doing things that meet the initial requirements.
But three Atlantic energy boards that set gasoline prices have decided to hike gas prices anyway, and that’s happening at the same time as the national carbon pricing system replaces provincial systems.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the regulations were delayed two years ago and will not be put off again because climate change will not wait.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2023.
