The Federal Government announced today it will create a national carbon tax in 2018 unless each province makes their own, something Bob Zimmer is not happy about.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the plan will start at $10 per ton of carbon produced. It will climb $10/ton per year until 2022 when it’s $50/ton.
“Absolutely, I’m against the carbon tax,” says the Prince George – Peace River – Northern Rockies MP.
“When you’re talking to somebody in Prince George who needs to idle their vehicle because it’s 30 below because they’re forestry workers out in the forest, that’s somebody that doesn’t have a choice. To say ‘We’re going to make you reduce what your emissions are because of this tax,’ that’s not what’s going to happen. What’s going to happen is that it’s just going to cost more.’
He also calls the rate of increase “dramatic.” He relates the hike to work he’s doing apart of a poverty-reduction committee. In Ontario, he’s heard from soup kitchens and food banks asking for food, volunteers, and now funding to pay the hydro bills. According to BC Hydro, the average monthly electrical bill in Ottawa is $148 for a customer using 1,000 kwH.
“Things like (the carbon tax) might have a good intention but the consequences is what I’m worried about.”
BC is ahead of the other Provinces and Territories and already has a $30-a-tonne carbon tax, however, the tax was frozen for five years in 2013. Premier Christy Clark announced in August that the Province would not increase the tax and couldn’t afford to do so until other provinces boosted theirs as well.
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