Blaine Higgs pitches exporting LNG as alternative to carbon tax

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs appeared virtually at a parliamentary committee on Thursday. He and Conservative premiers across the country are arguing against the carbon tax, which is set to rise on April 1.

Prime Minister Trudeau has challenged premiers who are opposed to the carbon tax to offer alternatives. Higgs says exporting natural gas from a New Brunswick energy company is a better solution.

"I'm offering the prime minister a solution that's real," he said after the hearing, in an interview with As It Happens.

By supplying liquefied natural gas to global markets, Higgs said Canada can have a major impact on shutting down coal plants around the world.

He specifically mentioned converting a Saint John LNG plant, owned by Repsol, into a natural gas exporter. The plant itself ruled against this possibility last year.

Higgs told the committee the carbon tax is only a solution "within the bubble" of Canada and will have little impact on worldwide emissions.

He complained that "80 to 100" coal plants were being built annually in China, and with continued use of coal plants in Europe and four in Atlantic Canada, a carbon tax is only burdening citizens, instead of having a global impact.

"The situation in Canada is we're too isolated in our bubble, we're not reaching our potential to help the world," Higgs said.

While some industry analysts have said shale gas extraction has major potential for New Brunswick, the province has faced major pushback from First Nations, environmentalists and others in the past.

In his opening statement, Higgs claimed that his appearance before the committee wasn't political.

"I don't want to make this a political discussion, we all don't like the carbon tax. I think we can all agree in part we don't like the carbon tax," he said.

"I want to continue to argue we just need to let the science let us help the world reduce emissions," Higg said, without elaborating on what science he was referring to.

NDP, Liberal MPs question Higgs

Higgs was questioned by Fredericton Liberal MP Jenica Atwin in an exchange that was feisty, at times.

She read a quote from Higgs from when the provincial carbon tax was scrapped in favour of the Trudeau government's federal system. Higgs cited the rebate cheques as a way for New Brunswickers to get money back.

"Is it the case that you're more interested in playing politics than looking after the affordability of New Brunswickers and tackling climate change?" Atwin asked him.

Higgs replied by saying the rebate cheques aren't offsetting what people are losing to the carbon tax. 

Citing a study by the Canadian Climate Institute, Atwin said carbon taxes reduce emissions over time and asked the premier if he had a better plan.

"Worldwide? Absolutely," Higgs said.

Richard Bragdon, Conservative MP for Tobique-Mactaquac, thanked Higgs for testifying and agreed that New Brunswick has "such amazing potential." He, like Higgs, said the carbon tax is putting a strain on local industry and harming his constituents.

"It's punitive, it's prohibitive, it disproportionately affects those of us who live in small towns and rural communities," Bragdon said.

Liberals tried to block Higgs, other premiers from testifying

Higgs's appearance was held up by Liberal committee members raising points of order with committee chair Kelly McCauley, a Conservative MP from Alberta.

McCauley was under fire for inviting several premiers to speak against the carbon tax without consent of committee members.   

Following an appearance by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe yesterday, committee members passed a resolution that requires their consent for witnesses to be called.

After a back and forth that was at times heated, and went on for about half an hour, McCauley ruled that Higgs would be allowed to speak because he had been booked to testify before the ruling, and it did not apply retroactively.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith went on to testify following Higgs.