The race for Liberal party leadership is on. Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland has announced that if elected Prime Minister, she will get rid of the consumer carbon tax. Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney has been cagier about the issue, but may also do the same.
In a moment where Canada is facing multiple overlapping crises — cost of living, climate, housing and health care — axing the tax is smart politics. But it won’t be enough to slow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s momentum. To do that, the candidates must focus on a people-centered approach that can help Canadians and the climate.