Harder looking ahead to 2019 federal election

Harder contends the carbon tax will not only be costly for Canadians, to the tune of $1,100 more per year, but that it doesn’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“B.C. has had a carbon tax since 2008 and we’re actually seeing emissions in the province have gone up,” Harder said. She also accused the Liberal government of giving breaks to large polluters.

“For example, a concrete plant in Quebec. They get off Scotch-free for producing over 500,000 tonnes of pollution every year. Meanwhile, you and I and families across this country have to continue to pay the carbon tax on our home heating bills, on our clothing, on our food, on the fuel that goes in our cars, and it’s just making life more and more expensive and it’s doing absolutely nothing to save the environment.”

Harder said the solution to climate change lies in innovation and technology.

“It’s as the old notion goes, either use the carrot or the stick. So, why not try the carrot?” she said. “Why not help those who are creative and innovative or entrepreneurial? Why not help them come up with solutions to the problem rather than punishing all Canadians?”

Another issue that Harder said is costly for Canadians is illegal immigration. She said while immigrants attempting to enter Canada using legal methods are being put on the back burner, people who cross the border illegally are taking advantage of the social safety net. Harder said the total value for those services is $35,000, while at the same time, she hears from many seniors who aren’t getting the care they need.

While the carbon tax would be the first thing to go under a Conservative government, Harder added attracting investment would also be a priority.

“The other thing that needs to happen is we need to put policies in place that are actually going to attract investment into our country,” she said, “so that our economy can continue to grow so that we can continue to create jobs, so that people’s investments can continue to increase. And so, those things are really important.

“In addition to that, getting pipelines in place is really important, because that’s what’s going to provide some of those high-paying jobs and it’s what’s going to help create hospitals and schools and roads and bridges and that important infrastructure that we need in order to continue to advance as Canadians.”

Harder was also asked about the Trudeau government’s changes to the Firearms Act. She said it unfairly targets law-abiding gun owners when the focus should be on border security, gang activity, and organized crime. She also said while it’s an issue important to Albertans, Quebecers have a high rate of gun ownership as well.

by Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter) with files from Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Harder looking ahead to 2019 federal election

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