If the goal is to make us poorer, Trudeau’s carbon tax is a stunning success
Despite what the prime minister thinks, the main focus for Canadians isn’t how popular he is
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended the rising costs of his climate policies in the face of mounting criticism from around the country by declaring, “My job is not to be popular.” He added, “My job is to do the right things for Canada now and do the right things for Canadians a generation from now and that’s what I’ve been focused on.”
Such comments are suggestive of a martyr complex, sacrificing popularity on the altar of righteousness. In truth, the climate file is Trudeau’s vanity project and the hill on which he is prepared to die.
The prime minister is so devoted to his climate policies that no amount of financial struggle that Canadians are forced to endure will see him reverse course or pause this deeply unpopular carbon tax.
On Monday, the carbon tax increases by 23 per cent to $80 per tonne and will more than double over the next six years, rising to $170 per tonne in 2030.
The immediate impact will be at the gas pump, where prices will increase from 14.3 cents a litre to 17.6 cents. Energy bills will be hit with the price of natural gas rising from about 12 cents per cubic metre to 15 cents.
The Liberals would have us believe that carbon tax rebates mean Canadians are better off, but that is simply trying to justify bribing people with their own money. It would be one thing if households received in rebates roughly what they paid in the carbon tax, but we know that is not the case.
Yves Giroux, the parliamentary budget officer, wrote in a report last year: “When both fiscal and economic impacts of the federal fuel charge are considered, we estimate that most households will see a net loss.”
