'We're struggling enough,' say carbon tax protesters in northern Ont.
Protests opposing the federal carbon tax, including the latest increase, took place across the country Monday.
Rallies outside politicians’ offices and at provincial borders were held. In northern Ontario, protesters gathered at the Ontario-Quebec border near Kirkland Lake.
The latest 23-per-cent increase hiked gas prices by around four cents, bringing frustrations to the boiling point.
“Where do we draw the line?” one person told CTV.
“Well, it seems that this carbon tax initiative has been the place that we are choosing to draw that line in the sand. Enough.”
“We’re just retired, living on a pension, and the higher the groceries go and the higher the gas goes, the less we get to do,” another resident said.
“We’re struggling enough, as it is, and with it being raised up, we can’t support ourselves. It’s making things difficult, we can’t live like that.”
Rallies outside politicians’ offices and at provincial borders were held. In northern Ontario, protestors gathered at the Ontario-Quebec border near Kirkland Lake. (Photo from video)
Defenders of the carbon tax say it’s an effort to combat climate change and it actually brings a net surplus back to the taxpayer.
Timmins area New Democrat MP Charlie Angus said that pollution should come with an added price, but added the Trudeau government dropped the ball when it comes to charging the country’s largest polluters.
“Big oil is not being held accountable for the pollution,” Angus said.
“So people are frustrated when they’re thinking, ‘Well, I’ve got to heat my house in the winter. Why am I paying my share when Suncor isn’t?’ And the Trudeau government’s failed to explain that. Emissions have gone up, the oil companies just factored it in and they didn’t care.”
Need to be held accountable
He said large grocery stores also need to be held to account for rising consumer costs.
But the protesters Monday said none of that makes carbon pricing any more appealing to the working class.
“I call B.S.,” one person said. “I’m sorry, but I don’t … believe politicians at this point.”
“All the young people that are coming along, now, that want to buy houses and stuff, they’re so out-priced, with all these taxes and crap, that they’ll never have one.”
Angus said the situation leaves Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre in a position to promote climate denialism, in a time where affordability and climate change are both issues that need solving.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Tiger Woods gets special exemption to U.S. Open at Pinehurst
Tiger Woods accepted a special exemption for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time the three-time champion has needed an exemption to play.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.