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Instead of dodging the criticisms that many of their proposed budget cuts are ideological in nature, Foreign Minister John Baird came right out and admitted the Conservatives will be glad to see one federally-funded environmental advocacy group off the taxpayer’s payroll.

Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae attacked the budget during question period Monday, listing off a number of cuts, including scrapping funding for the arms-length National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).

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Baird’s immediate response to the question was to say the government didn’t agree with the advice they were receiving from the NRTEE, which was created by the Brian Mulroney government in 1988.

“[Rae] talks about the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. They have tabled more than 10 accords encouraging a carbon tax, now we know why the Liberal party holds that organization so dearly because they truly want to bring in a carbon tax on every family in the county,” Baird said. “Those of us on this side of the House won’t let them do it.”