NDP leader Jagmeet Singh met with Premier R.J. Simpson on Thursday at the legislative assembly with the approximately half-hour conversation including talk about climate change, corporations and Singh reiterating his support for the Mackenzie Valley Highway project.
But there was one topic Singh talked about which may raise some eyebrows and it came during a press conference at the assembly following their meeting.
Singh said he's open to a different approach for the NWT when it comes to the carbon tax.
"The same approach doesn't apply to every part of the country, and so I'm very open to a different approach being taken to the territory, an approach that fits," said Singh. "While we still ultimately bring down our emissions, we have to find ways that we do while recognizing the uniqueness of each place."
Simpson had previously called for a complete carbon tax exemption for territory, telling SA国际影视传媒 in November 2023 shortly after his selection as premier that the carbon tax wasn't fair for the North.
Simpson reiterated that position on Thursday.
"My position is that if higher costs were what was going to move us to greener energy, we would've been the first ones adopting green energy," he said. "But the situation in the North is different. The cost of living is already so high, there are not a lot of alternatives to the fossil fuel that we're using."
Simpson submitted that the NWT needs to do its part, citing forest fires, floods and that the North is supposedly warming faster than any other part of Canada. According to a report published by Ontario's Western University earlier this year, Canada has been warming about twice the global average and the Canadian Arctic is warming about three times higher.
"We understand we need to do our part, but we are looking for some recognition that we are different and what might work in the major centres in southern Canada won't work up here," said Simpson.
Singh said his focus in on the consumer when it comes to looking for alternatives to a carbon tax.
"If you live in a community and the only way you can get around is with your truck and there is no option for electric vehicles, it doesn't really make sense to put a lot of burden on that person," he said.
For larger carbon emitters, like mines, Singh said he's still keen on making sure they pay their fair share.
"I'm very open to looking at flexibility in the territory when it comes to individuals and to people and communities and ensuring at the same time that big emitters are doing their part to keep the environment clean," he said.
