HALDIMAND—Haldimand Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady took direct aim at Ontario Premier Doug Ford during question period at Queen’s Park last week, asking him to follow Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, whose government is the first in the country to refuse to collect the federal carbon tax on natural gas and electric home heating.
The Ford government has shown no sign of adapting such an approach, but has proposed legislation through their new ‘Get It Done Act’ to hold a public referendum to obtain consent from Ontario voters before implementing a provincial carbon tax on top of the federal tax.
Brady called the legislation a “distraction from the real issues, like the Greenbelt scandal, the health care crisis, the $9.8 billion dollar deficit, the increase in the premier’s office staff, many of whom are enjoying income greater than the combined income of families in my riding of Haldimand Norfolk…. It’s a publicity stunt.”
“They call saving taxpayer’s money a publicity stunt. You know, Scott Moe is one of my best pals, we share the same values,” replied Ford, listing ways the provincial government has saved taxpayers money, such as reducing gas prices by 10.7 cents, creating 700,000 jobs, and removing licence plate renewal fees. “You call that a publicity stunt?”
Concluding his response, the Premier pointed at Brady and remarked, “By the way, you won’t have a job next election.”
House Speaker Ted Arnott reprimanded the Premier following the remark, stating, “Those kinds of comments are not helpful.”
Brady called Ford’s listed items “tinkering” that “isn’t quite cutting it for families who continue to pay more and get less and continue to fall behind.”
She noted the Province charges a carbon tax on industrial emitters already, collecting “compliance payments from the biggest industrial producers of greenhouse gas”, and is expected to collect approximately half a billion dollars by 2030. “What is happening with that money?”
Ford focused on the tax itself, asserting the Province has taken the federal government to court: “It was forced upon us. It’s the worst tax you could ever put on the backs of people.”
He shifted to general complaints against the Liberal and NDP governments, with no further mention of Scott Moe’s plan or any answer to Brady’s initial question.
In an interview following the exchange, Brady lauded the Province for continuing to offer the gas tax exemption to help offset the carbon tax on fuel until the end of the year, but insisted it’s not enough.
“I sit every day through question period, listening to this government talk about the federal carbon tax. My point is if you’re going to talk about it at the provincial level, obviously you could do something about it. And if you can’t do something about it, then let’s get back to the issues this Ontario government can effect change on,” said Brady.
She insisted that the Ford legislation does not address the “punitive” tax that is “making the lives of families here in Ontario really difficult…. If you identify a problem without bringing forward a solution, I’m not sure how much credibility you have.”
She continued, “We need to create an environment where people can keep more of their hard-earned money. Right now, families are working harder, paying more, and getting less in return. People are downtrodden and disheartened, and it makes me sad, because I sit at Queen’s Park and it’s a game.”
Brady acknowledged that unlike Saskatchewan, Ontario’s main energy providers are not a crown corporation, but she believes “they could still use government revenue to help offset or neutralize the carbon tax.” She asked of the collected compliance fees from industrial carbon emitters, “Could those monies be used, if they exist, to assist in neutralizing the federal carbon tax?”
Seven premiers across Canada attempted to call Trudeau ahead of the carbon tax increase that took effect on April 1, with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre calling for the PM to meet with them.
“Only Scott Moe is taking decisive action to protect his taxpayers,” said Brady. “I think if more premiers join him, the Prime Minister would be forced to reconsider.”
On the exchange with Ford, Brady laughed off the criticism: “I won’t have a job? Well, how is he going to ensure that, because he doesn’t get a vote.”
She added, “I think his reaction to me has to do with the fact that he’s disappointed in himself. He was told in 2022 what he was doing would not fly here in Haldimand Norfolk…. If me holding the government to account makes them upset, so be it. I’m here to represent the people of Haldimand Norfolk and we need more affordability for the people of Ontario.”
Brady also responded to a regular critique of her tenure, that her independent political status and lack of connection with the Premier could negatively impact the riding: “Monies flow to every single municipality…. I’m not the only opponent to this government,” she said, noting the other political parties. “I have a 23-year history with many of those cabinet ministers and they know how I work.”
Responding to a common narrative of the exchange, which pinned it as a ‘Conservative v. Conservative’ battle, Brady simply said, “I’m the real conservative.”
She concluded, “I know we have to worry about certain issues in our society, but if we can’t afford to tackle that, and we are putting people at a disadvantage, then I really question how wonderful the policy is.”
Brady continues to push her petition, launched in January, calling on Ford to follow in Moe’s footsteps.
The Press sent a request to Premier Ford’s office for a follow up on the exchange, and if he might offer more clarity on his stance regarding Brady’s petition, but did not receive a response prior to publication.