Liberal leadership race: Wilkinson ‘committed’ to consumer carbon tax [Video]

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says he would be “committed” to the consumer carbon tax should he become Liberal leader and prime minister, despite the policy’s unpopularity.

“The consumer portion of the carbon price, I will continue to make the argument to Canadians that, actually, it enhances our ability to address climate change, and it does so in a manner that’s affordable,” Wilkinson said in an interview with CTV’s Power Play on Wednesday.

As Liberal MPs were meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday to discuss the party’s upcoming leadership race following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, Wilkinson confirmed that he is considering a run for the job.

“I have had a range of caucus and cabinet colleagues who have come to me and asked me to consider running and in that context, I am considering it,” Wilkinson told host Vassy Kapelos. “I’ve been having conversations with lots of folks. …