The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Nova Scotia Liberal leader Zach Churchill to scrap his proposal to introduce a provincial carbon tax in Nova Scotia.

“Churchill claims he wants to scrap Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director. “But in reality, he just wants to swap it for a provincial carbon tax dressed up as a cap-and-trade carbon tax.

“Make no mistake: a tax is a tax, no matter what you call it. Whether you’re at the pump or the grocery store, any plan to keep carbon taxes is going to hurt your wallet.”

The Churchill Liberals released their platform on Monday, which confirmed a plan to bring in a Quebec-like carbon tax system. Iain Rankin, Liberal environment and climate critic has previously called the Quebec carbon tax “successful.”

The Quebec carbon tax currently costs taxpayers an extra 12.5 cents per litre of gasoline at the pumps. There are no rebates on Quebec’s cap-and-trade carbon tax.

If implemented in Nova Scotia, taxpayers would still be expected to pay nearly $40 in taxes alone on a 64-litre fill-up.

“Nova Scotians deserve a complete end to carbon taxes,” said Drover. “Not just replacing one expensive cash-grab with another.”

Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston has previously spoken out against the federal carbon tax. He wants it scrapped and does not plan to replace it with a provincial carbon tax.

New Democratic leader Claudia Chender has not yet revealed her position on a provincial carbon tax.

The Nova Scotia provincial election will be held on Nov. 26, 2024.