Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is today leading his party in a non-confidence debate in the House of Commons over the carbon tax increase slated for April 1.
The procedural manoeuvre to force the government to fall in a matter of confidence is not expected to succeed.
Canada’s carbon tax, part of the federal carbon pricing strategy, is set to increase on April 1, 2024. The carbon tax in Ottawa will rise three cents to 17 cents for each litre of gasoline. An opposition motion to cancel the tax failed on Wednesday, March 20, with a 205-119 vote. Following this, Poilievre proposed a carbon tax election.
Before the Parliament session, the Conservative Party organized “Axe The Tax” rallies in Toronto through social media, with thousands of supporters demanding the federal government “spike the hike.”
The carbon pricing is designed to incentivize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and is a key component of Canada’s commitment to addressing climate change.
Canada said its goal is to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Poilievre has been calling out Trudeau’s government over the carbon tax hike and has said “It is the last thing Canadians need.”
“Trudeau’s inflationary spending and taxes have taken more and more money out of Canadians’ pockets, leaving a record number of people using food banks, while families must choose between heating their home or filling up their car,” the Conservative Party said in a press release on March 20.
According to the Government of Canada’s website, the carbon tax in Canada works by placing a price on the carbon emissions associated with the consumption of fossil fuels. This means the more fossil fuels consumed, such as gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and propane, the higher the carbon tax.
The Conservative Party said in a statement on Wednesday that Trudeau and the NDP coalition partners won’t listen to people. That’s why (on March 21), Conservatives will call a vote of non-confidence in Trudeau’s Liberal Government so Canadians can vote in a Carbon Tax Election.”
According to Statistics Canada’s Social Policy Simulation Database and Model, 94 per cent of households with incomes below $50,000 receive rebates that exceed their carbon-tax costs in 2023. Many in this income category see a net gain of between $20 and $40 per month, with some even seeing a net gain of $70 per month or more.
Statistics Canada said only about 55 per cent of households with incomes above $250,000 receive more in rebates than they pay in costs.
Only Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta are the provinces covered by the federal carbon tax and rebate system.