As of January 1st, 2019, the federally-imposed carbon tax is in effect in several provinces throughout Canada.
Provinces like Ontario and Saskatchewan, that haven’t forced a carbon tax on their taxpayers, now have to pay an additional tax on carbon, which means its a tax imposed on everything.
Statistics show that Canada’s carbon emissions dropped by 1.4% in 2016 without a carbon tax; carbon emissions fell by 2.7% last year in the U.S., after they withdrew from the UN Paris accord. Meanwhile, global emissions continue to rise because of developing countries like China and India.
Despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s assurance that his carbon tax will actually benefit Canadians, statistics suggest otherwise.
Gas prices are expected to skyrocket in 2019, reaching the highest prices seen since 2014. Some estimates predict that by 2022, gas prices will be increase by another 11 cents.
Natural gas price hikes will cause heating prices to soar, while propane costs will increase by up to 3.10 cents a litre.
Looking to BC — a province that imposed its own carbon tax since 2008 — signs suggest that the federal tax will negatively impact the economy. In 2013, BC’s Ministry of Finance stated in the first comprehensive review of the carbon tax that it “has had, and will continue to have, a small negative impact on GDP.”
Four out of ten provinces in Canada have vocalized their opposition to the federal government’s plan — Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick
“We will fight the carbon tax with every tool we have and will pursue ways to make sure that every person in Ontario is informed of how much they are paying in federal carbon tax — every time they pay a home heating bill or fill up their car,” said Ontario’s Finance Minister Vic Fedeli, calling it a “job-killing” tax.
Conservative Party opposition leader Andrew Scheer also voiced his opposition to the tax.
“Welcome to the year of the carbon tax,” Scheer said while visiting a Giant Tiger supermarket in Regina.
“Everyday essentials will become more expensive this year, thanks to the Trudeau carbon tax,” he said.
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 87% of business owners in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick oppose the federal government’s new tax on fuel.
“CFIB is calling on other provinces to join Ontario and Saskatchewan in calling on the federal government to reconsider the increase in CPP premiums set to begin in a few weeks,” said CFIB president Dan Kelly.
Despite its unpopularity, the federal government has been spearheading the carbon tax before the upcoming 2019 election. The tax will directly pit the federal government against provincial adversaries. Both the Ontario and Saskatchewan governments are taking the feds to task for what they call an “unconstitutional” carbon tax.
The first court date by Saskatchewan is set to take place February 13th.
