OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is reviving his critique of carbon taxes as he challenges Prime Minister Mark Carney's environmental policies. During a recent announcement in Charlottetown, Poilievre labeled new regulations on fossil-fuel suppliers as "carbon tax 2.0." This move raises questions about his political strategy and whether he can adapt to the changing political landscape.

Poilievre recently returned to the House of Commons after winning a byelection in rural Alberta, where he secured nearly 81 percent of the vote. This victory mirrors the strong support previous Conservative MPs received in the region. Before his Charlottetown appearance, Poilievre visited Halifax, marking his first trip to the province since the April federal election, where Carney led the Liberals to their fourth consecutive win over the Conservatives since 2015.

In his remarks, Poilievre criticized Carney, suggesting that despite promises of change, the new Prime Minister has been even worse than his predecessor, Justin Trudeau. He pointed to persistently high grocery prices and excessive government spending as key issues. Poilievre's strategy appears to focus on the cost of living, a tactic he used against Trudeau.

However, he faces challenges without his previous rallying cry, "axe the tax," which resonated with voters concerned about rising living costs. This slogan lost its impact when Carney quickly eliminated the carbon tax on everyday fuels like gasoline. Poilievre claimed victory over the carbon tax issue, but some Conservatives believe he could have been more assertive during the April election when public attention shifted to other economic concerns.

Standing in front of a gas pump in Charlottetown, Poilievre reiterated his opposition to the fuel regulations that took effect in 2023. He cited a report from the Parliamentary Budget Officer indicating that these regulations could raise gas prices by 17 percent per liter by 2030. For many Conservatives, this message is crucial as affordability remains a pressing issue across Canada, particularly in Atlantic Canada.

Labeling the new regulations as "carbon tax 2.0" serves as a reminder to consumers about the financial burden they face, similar to the previous carbon tax. However, some party members worry that this approach may signal a lack of new ideas from Poilievre at a time when supporters expect innovation and relevance.

One senior Conservative remarked, "He’s becoming a caricature of himself," highlighting concerns about Poilievre's strategy. The challenge lies in engaging Canadians on regulations that may not be clearly understood, which could hinder Conservative efforts to gain support for future campaigns against the new carbon tax.

This summer, Poilievre has also targeted other Trudeau-era environmental policies, including the federal electric vehicle mandate and the industrial carbon tax. Carney has faced scrutiny over these issues, particularly from the auto industry, which has raised concerns about the EV mandate.

Predicting Carney's actions presents another challenge for Poilievre. He acknowledged in a recent interview that while Trudeau was known for his stubbornness, Carney remains unpredictable. Poilievre emphasized that he had previously been dismissed for opposing the consumer carbon tax, only for it to be adopted later.

As Poilievre navigates this political landscape, he must determine how to effectively address the carbon tax issue while appealing to a broader audience.