Justin Trudeau says climate deniers are 'putting future white Christmases at risk' as he spars with Conservative leader in Canadian parliament

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traded barbs with the leader of the Conservative Party on Wednesday, branding the opposition climate change deniers who are 'putting future white Christmases at risk.'

The spirited exchange prompted laughter from both sides of the House of Commons during question period on Wednesday, where the two politicians laid out their opposing views on climate policy.

Pierre Poilievre, the Tory leader who hopes to replace Trudeau in the next elections, fired a holiday salvo at the Liberal PM, saying that all he had to offer Canadians for Christmas was a 'carbon tax lump of coal.'

'I'm pleased to point out that we're the Government that's phasing out coal!' fired back Trudeau, adding: 'The climate denialism of the Conservative Party of Canada is putting future white Christmases at risk. And that's why on this side of the House, we stand for Christmas.' 

Undaunted, a smiling Poilievre responded, saying: 'Mr. Speaker, that has to be the angriest and most caustic Christmas message I've ever seen!'

Question time is a regular feature of parliamentary systems, during which members have the chance to quiz government ministers, including the prime minister, who are obliged to respond.  

On the social media platform X, Poilievre shared a clip from the exchange, calling Trudeau a 'Scrooge' for his signature carbon tax policy, which had driven costs higher for families during a period of painful inflation. 

The carbon tax, a standard price per metric ton of CO2-equivalent emissions generated, is intended to discourage use of fossil fuels and accelerate a switch to clean energy.

The tax is currently set at $65 CAD per metric ton, but is set to increase over time to encourage the switch to alternative to fossil fuels.

However, the ongoing cost of living crisis has contributed to an 11-point drop in support for carbon pricing compared to 2021 levels among Canadian voters, a recent poll showed. 

The poll from Angus Reid Institute showed 42 percent of Canadians want the carbon tax to be scrapped and a further 17 percent would like it to be cut temporarily for the next three years, while one-quarter want a freeze in any subsequent increases.

Only 15 percent said the tax should continue as planned with the scheduled price increase next April.

Last month, Trudeau announced a three-year carbon tax exemption for home heating oil and higher carbon tax rebates mostly for Atlantic Canada amid soaring costs of living.

But the limited carve out of one of the Liberal government's most important climate policies has sparked demands from premiers of other provinces for similar concessions.

Poilievre has long wanted to axe the tax, arguing it is an unfair cost for consumers and making it a signature issue for the opposition. 

The Conservative leader would clobber Trudeau if an election were held today, polls show. However, a vote is not due until 2025.

Angus Reid Institute said its latest polling 'reveals a profound lack of awareness, and misconceptions' about how much tax Canadians actually pay. 

In September, Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said the carbon tax contributed about 0.15 percentage points to the inflation rate, which was 3.8 percent that month. 

He said that if the current carbon tax were eliminated, it would lower inflation by 0.6 percentage points for one year.