Posthaste: Carbon tax making life more expensive, Canadians say
Many Canadians already squeezed by a high cost of living think the federal government’s carbon tax is making their lives even more expensive.
Two-thirds cite the carbon tax as an added financial burden they can’t really afford, with 40 per cent saying it’s costing them “a lot” while 26 per cent say it costs “a little,” according to a poll from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute.
That comes as inflation and high interest rates pressure household budgets, putting affordability concerns front and centre. Half believe the government should focus on tackling the high cost of living over climate change, the poll said. Another 32 per cent think environmental policies should come first.
Yet most think the carbon tax is a flawed policy when it comes to meeting Canada’s climate goals. Sixty-eight per cent don’t think the carbon tax helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions at all, while just 23 per cent think it’s effective.
The poll comes as the federal Liberal government faces backlash over the tax, which is set to rise on April 1. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been leading the charge to abolish the levy with an “axe the tax” campaign, with the party trying to force an election last week over the issue. The Liberals survived the non-confidence vote.
But though the tax remains deeply unpopular with many voters — 40 per cent want it gone completely — some Canadians are warming up to the planned increase, the poll found. The number of people who support raising the carbon price as planned on April 1 has grown by seven points since November, rising to 22 per cent from 15 per cent.
Part of that increased support could be due to a boost in awareness over the federal government’s carbon rebate program, Angus Reid said. More
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