'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
Child under 5 dies of measles in Ontario: PHO
A young child has died of measles in Ontario, marking the first death in the province from the highly contagious virus in more than 10 years, a Public Health Ontario report confirms.
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Vatican revamps norms to evaluate visions of Mary as it adapts to Internet age and combats hoaxers
The Vatican on Friday radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena, insisting on having the final say in whether the events are worthy of popular devotion.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
5 secrets to moving better and preventing avoidable injury
Countless people seek emergency care for back pain, muscle strains and similar injuries resulting from “moving wrong” during mundane, everyday tasks such as bending over to tie shoes, lifting objects or doing household chores.
Zach Bryan and girlfriend Brianna Chickenfry are 'happy and alive' after 'traumatizing' car accident
Zach Bryan and his girlfriend Brianna LaPaglia were involved in a scary car accident earlier this week, according to LaPaglia, who recalled the experience in a candid video posted to her TikTok page earlier this week.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.