Pierre Poilievre promises to scrap 'anti-energy laws' during CPC leadership campaign stop in Sask.

Federal Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievrestressed his commitment to repealing three pieces of legislation that the Liberal governmentenacted with the goal of combating climate change during avisit to Saskatchewan on Friday.

"Right now, we have anti-energy laws in this country that are preventing people from harvesting our resources and bringing them responsibly to market," Poilievresaid during a news conference atBrandt Tractor in Regina.

Along with a commitment torepealing Bill C-69,the nation's current environmental assessment law, and Bill C-48, a bill prohibiting oil tankers of a certain size docking along B.C.'s north coast, Poilievresaid he'd move to scrap the federal carbon pricing scheme.

These pieces of legislation have been cornerstones in theLiberal government's plan to deal with climate change,but havebeingwidely criticized by the energy industry.

They've also been opposed by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

Poilievresaid a government under him would "put in place clear targets for carbon emission reduction" and give"provinces the freedom to decide how they meet those targets."

That would include plans to incentivizecarbon-capture and storagetechnology as well assmall modular nuclear reactors.

"There are countless other ways that we can combat climate change without a tax," Poilievresaid.

Support from Sask. politicians

The MP for the Ottawa-area riding of Carletonmade theannouncements at a series of events in Saskatchewanon Thursday and Friday as he campaigns to become the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

At each stop in Saskatchewan, Poilievre has been accompanied by a black placard that reads "Pierre Poilievre for Prime Minister."

Poilievrehas received a warm welcome by Saskatchewan politicians, including by ReginaWascanaMP Michael Kram and SaskatoonUniversity MP Corey Tochor.

Moe andRegina-Qu'Apelle MP Andrew Scheerwere also photographed with Poilievreon Friday.

Poilievrecongratulated Moe for ending all COVID-19 mandates and restrictions in the province as of Feb. 28.

Scheer, the former federal Conservative leader, attendedPoilievre's announcement on Friday morning in Regina and is expected to attend aso-called freedom rally this evening.

Candidates interested in running for the CPC leadership must sign up by April 19 and pay an entry fee of $200,000 on top of a refundable $100,000 deposit.

The final result of the race will be announced on Sept. 10.