Carney Cancels Consumer Carbon Tax
Plans for Incentive Programs
The new Liberal government is shifting from taxing consumers to providing incentives in its efforts to fight climate change. The consumer carbon tax will be lifted April 1.
“He heard Canadians express their concerns with the carbon tax and he acted. I am pleased to see our country turning towards other highly effective policies to fight climate change,” added Rochefort.
Liberal leader Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s new Prime Minister Friday. There is anticipation that he will call a federal election soon.
Fuel distributors have been given notice that the federal fuel charge will be lifted as of April 1st. The last Canada Carbon Rebate payment will be sent out to consumers on April 22 for those who file their taxes by April 2.
Yesterday Prime Minister Carney outlined several highly effective policies that will be pursued to enable Canada to do its part to fight climate change that are far less divisive. At the centre will be a simple principle: ensure large emitters pay their fair share while providing them with the certainty to invest in pollution-reducing technology.
Modelling has demonstrated that industrial carbon pricing is a more effective policy, contributing 23-39 per cent of emission reductions, while it’s estimated that the consumer carbon tax accounts for just under 10% of anticipated emissions reductions by 2030.
At the same time, new incentives will be introduced for families to access heat pumps and other home retrofits that will save their family money on their energy bills while cutting their carbon footprint. According to the Canada Greener Home Initiative, households which converted from oil to heat pump during the last federal incentive program saved $1,337 on energy cost and eliminated 2.78 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.