Wall warns against carbon tax after U.S. Paris accord exit

Despite the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris Accord, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said his message to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remained the same: stay competitive and don’t impose a carbon tax.

Wall spoke to media following his Premier’s Dinner fundraiser, which was the site of a protest.

Wall said no matter what President Trump does south of the border, Trudeau needs to focus on Canada’s economy.

“We have to make sure we’re competitive in this country,” Wall said. “In terms of pursuing environmental policies that will have an impact on the economy and so it’s pretty clear before his announcement today he’s not going to have a carbon tax in the United States.”

Wall argued they are losing the competition for energy sector investment dollars to Texas and Oklahoma.

“They don’t have the policy risk down there of a carbon tax.”

He said the country should do their part for the environment by investing in technology, not imposing taxes.

“Working families need Canada to be competitive.”

— With files from Kevin Martel.