Carbon price increase is inhumane, Alberta premier tells committee [Video]

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the upcoming federal carbon price increase is “inhumane.”

“The so-called solution of the federal government is to increase the carbon tax on something that is life or death for Albertans in the extreme cold of winter,” Smith told the House of Commons operations committee.

In January, a polar vortex brought -40 C temperatures to Alberta, with wind chill making it feel like -50.

Smith went on to call for a similar carbon price pause for all home heating methods, as was put in place by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in October for home heating oil — a move critics say disproportionately benefits Atlantic Canada.

Both Smith and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs appeared before the committee at the invitation of Conservative chair Kelly McCauley, saying that because the carbon price deals with a fiscal policy, it’s appropriate to have this discussion in the estimates study.

On April 1, the …