The federal government's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions isn't sitting well with local members of the opposition. Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced provincial governments must put carbon pricing in place before 2018, or risk having the federal government implement their own pricing models.

Opposition House Leader and Portage-Lisgar MP Candice Bergen says this is a major concern, describing the announcement as the liberals "using a hammer" to get their way. She'sl opposed to the implementation of a carbon tax, feeling there are better ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without punishing those using fuel. Bergen says Canada only emits about 1% of the world's emissions, making any reduction in our country fairly unnoticeable. Bergen would rather see Canada work closely with other countries, to reduce greenhouse gases in a global plan.

"China is one of the largest emitters because they have a lot of coal fired plants. Why don't we sell our liquefied natural gas to them, which is much cleaner. They can replace their coal-fired (plants) with our natural gas, and we could actually see a global impact."

The MP for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman also isn't pleased with the Liberals plan. James Bezan says not only will this new plan have a major impact on rural residents, farmers, and low-income families, but it also aims to shift the blame. He feels by forcing the provincial governments in Canada to create the plan, and keep the revenues collected, it aims to distract from the fact this taxation is a federal mandate.

"They're saying it's revenue neutral because the federal government won't be seeing any of it. However, they're dictating to the provinces that you do this, or we'll do it for you. Ultimately, the taxpayers instead of being mad at the Liberals --Which, in my opinion, they should be for implementing this huge tax grab-- they're going to redirect that back onto the provinces who are actually going to collect the taxes for the federal government."

Meanwhile, Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa MP Robert Sopuck agrees steps need to be taken to address climate change, but says this approach ignores federal jurisdiction. Sopuck says Trudeau mandated that provincial collaboration on climate change action was necessary, but this recent announcement goes directly against that. He notes this additional taxation on carbon isn't fair, noting it will hit those outside the urban areas the hardest.

"People have to travel long distances. There's no mass transit, so people have to use their vehicles to get around way more than urban people do. Also, agriculture is the mainstay of our economy. As one farmer put it, a Prius isn't going to pull air seeder. So, again, this disproportionately will impact rural and low-income communities."

The Conservatives are hoping to change the legislation, to help prevent and additional tax burden. They've introduced amendments that would allow the federal government to move forward without a climate change action plan without forcing provinces to create carbon pricing plans, or charging Canadians additional taxes. However, those such as Bergen aren't convinced those changes will be accepted.

"We hope the Liberals will look at that, and we hope they agree to it. Now, wishing isn't going to work when the federal government has already used the hammer that they have and said they're going to impose this tax."