Scheer brings ‘Spike The Hike’ rally to the Sault
The federal Conservative’s ‘Spike the Hike’ or ‘Axe the Tax’ tour of northern Ontario continued Thursday with a high-profile member of the party making a stop in Sault Ste. Marie.
Opposition House Leader Andrew Scheer held a rally outside Sault Liberal MP Terry Sheehan's office on March 28, 2024. (Mike McDonald/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Former Conservative leader and current Opposition House Leader Andrew Scheer spoke in front of the office of Sault Liberal MP Terry Sheehan, who is promoting the government’s carbon rebate.
Tory MPs have been fanning out across northern Ontario in the wake of a failed non-confidence vote by the Conservatives, which called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to stand down on a carbon tax increase set to go into effect April 1.
Scheer arrived to a small group of supporters gathered outside Sheehan’s office making claims that 70 per cent of Canadians are against the carbon tax increase and it will lead to economic misery for Canadians.
“After April 1, Justin Trudeau still plans on raising the carbon tax,” said Scheer.
“He’s on his way to quadrupling the carbon tax. So, April 1 is just one more massive slap in the face of hard-working Canadians. But, there’s going to be more coming as long as Justin Trudeau and his coalition is in power. So, we’re going to keep up the pressure, we’re going to keep working on this, because we know the damage it’s doing to the economy.”
Sheehan, who wasn’t in his office at the time of the rally, dismissed Scheer’s visit as “electioneering,” and defended the Liberal government’s environmental and economic record.
“Eight out of ten families in Canada get back more than they pollute and Andrew Scheer today was there to support the big polluters in Canada,” said Sheehan.
“We will stand with the middle class and those working hard to join it, and make sure we fight climate change at the same time because we know the economy and the fight against climate change go hand in glove.”
Sheehan said a family of four in Algoma District can expect an annual Canada Carbon Rebate of $1,344. Meantime, carbon tax rallies were held in other northern cities including Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay and Thunder Bay.
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