(November 22, 2022, St. John’s) – Tony Wakeham, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister of Finance and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port, is raising concerns following news that Premier Furey has failed to stand up for Newfoundland and Labrador, and that Ottawa will impose the federal carbon tax on our province.

“The Progressive Conservative Official Opposition has been raising concerns about this for months. We raised concerns about what this means for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who already pay too much for gasoline, diesel, and home heating fuel. We asked the Premier to do the right thing and prevent the increase, but the Premier failed to do so” said Wakeham.

Wakeham pointed to the Premier’s own comments, noting that the Premier was unable to stand up for the people of our province.

“When we challenged the Premier on this issue, he said that now was not the time for increased carbon tax, especially on home heating fuel. However, today’s news out of Ottawa shows Furey failed. The Carbon Tax will increase. The price of gasoline will increase, the price of diesel will increase, and the price of home heating fuel will increase,” continued Wakeham.

Wakeham raised specific concern for the many residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who already pay too much for home heating fuel.

“For the past couple of years, provincial Liberals have said that home heating fuel would not be subject to Carbon Tax, while promoting their ‘made in Newfoundland and Labrador solution’. However, we now see that this plan has been thrown out and that Carbon Tax will now be added to home heating fuel, pushing up the cost by 20 cents per liter. I am concerned that this will cause more hardship on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are already struggling with the high cost of living,” said Wakeham.

“The cost of living is too high in our province. Premier Furey had an opportunity to help residents, but he failed to do so, his inaction continues to cost people.”

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca