Prince George Peace River MP Bob Zimmer is concerned about the federal government’s decision not to include the possible effects of the federal carbon tax in a study on poverty reduction.
“We had put it forward that we should study the effects of carbon tax. Simply put, it’s a tax that hits those at marginal levels of income the hardest. So those at or below poverty, they’re going to feel the brunt of that carbon tax the most.”
While BC already has a carbon tax in place, the federal plan will see that tax increase from $10 per ton to $50 per tonne by 2022. Zimmer says that increase will place an undue burden on Canadian families.
“Just a simple calculation of home heating and automobile amounts would average about $1200 per person and if you really look at the entire impact of food and clothing and everything else per household, we’re estimating $2600 in new taxes per household by 2022.”
While the proposal was voted down by the House of Commons’ Human Resources committee on Nov. 3, Zimmer, who is the committee’s vice chair, remains undeterred.
“We’re going to continue to ask those questions at the Human Resources committee, regardless of the subject at hand, and hopefully get some answers to it because I think a real solid look into it needs to be done and that’s what we’re here for.”
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