David Coon, MLA/Député

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.

With a two point increase in the HST on the table, there’s word the New Brunswick government is also considering a carbon tax.

Premier Brian Gallant says at this point, it’s not a sure thing.

“(A carbon tax) is on the table, and we are going to consider it,” he said.

Gallant says the idea will be brought to an international climate change conference in Paris.

He says if a carbon tax is implemented, it wouldn’t be raising revenue.

“If we were to look at any type of price on carbon, we would make sure its revenue neutral,” he said.

Joining Gallant at the meetings will be the Tory environment critic Brian Keirstead and provincial Green Party Leader David Coon, who is in favour of the Quebec carbon tax model.

“That’s what we need here, a carbon fee that’s put on the level of industry where the carbon comes in, whether it’s the power plant in Belledeune importing coal, or the refinery importing oil,” said Coon.

Keirstead isn’t on board with pricing carbon.

“The big question can you tax your way out of it,” he said. “I don’t think you can. Our positions has been there’s got to be other ways to do it.”

Alberta NDP Premier Rachel Notley will be attending the climate change talks, having just announced a carbon tax in Alberta.

A carbon tax in British Columbia was offset by an income tax reduction.

Gallant says New Brunswick needs to come to the table with meaningful ideas

“Projects like the Energy East pipeline will only happen domestically and internationally if were able to show Canadians and people across the globe that we take fighting climate change seriously,” said Gallant.

Gallant is scheduled to arrive in Paris over the weekend.