The Liberal leader in Ontario, Bonnie Crombie, said she would not impose a provincial carbon tax if her party is elected in 2026.

Crombie has been inundated with questions about her party's stance on the carbon tax since her election in December, with Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford describing her as the "Carbon Tax Queen."

So far, Crombie has avoided answering policy-related questions. Instead, she told reporters that the Ford government uses the carbon tax as a distraction, and that the party "will do its duty" before choosing any side.

The leader clarified on Monday that any climate action plan proposed by the provincial Liberals will not include a carbon tax.

Crombie said in a statement: "We will ensure that the major polluters pay, but we will not impose a carbon tax in Ontario on consumers."

“Instead, I want to take strong action on building public transit systems; investing in electric vehicle infrastructure; reforming land use planning to build livable, walkable communities; protecting our water, sensitive lands, and nature; decarbonizing our power grid; supporting our farmers; and most importantly, finding ways to help families save money by helping them become more energy efficient.”

In response, the Ford government said Crombie's refusal to tax consumers is not enough.

Energy Minister Todd Smith said in the legislature late Monday morning, "What she has not done, Mr. Speaker, is say that she opposes the federal carbon tax, that tax which will indeed increase in two weeks' time by a massive 23 percent."

The Progressive Conservatives, along with six other provincial leaders, have urged the federal government to temporarily halt the increase.

This announcement came as the party revealed a six-member climate action committee that will lead consultations on Liberal environmental policy.

Among those participating on the committee are MPP Mary Margaret McMahon, former Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Carol Mitchell, Executive Director of Urban Building and Innovation Research at Toronto Metropolitan University Cherise Burda, former Ontario Environment Minister Chris Ballard, and Director General of Finance and Resilience at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation Kathryn Bacus.