'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
Poilievre kicked out of Commons after calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko'
Testy exchanges between the prime minister and his chief opponent ended with the Opposition leader and one of his MPs being ejected from the House of Commons on Tuesday -- and the rest of Conservative caucus walking out of the chamber in protest.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Moe 'will respond' to CRA, insists Saskatchewan has 'paid in full' amid carbon tax audit
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his government 'will respond' to the Canada Revenue Agency when it concludes its audit of the province, but that his position is Saskatchewan doesn't owe Ottawa any money.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Sword-wielding man attacks passersby in London, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring 4 others
A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police officers in a northeast London suburb Tuesday, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring four other people, British authorities said.
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation will be the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
WATCH Arnold Schwarzenegger spotted filming in Elora, Ont.
The name of the project has not been officially released although it’s widely believed to be the Netflix series FUBAR.
BREAKING Hosting Vancouver's FIFA World Cup games could cost half a billion dollars
Hosting seven games in Vancouver during the 2026 FIFA World Cup could cost more than half a billion dollars, according to an updated estimate provided Tuesday.
Conservatives push motion calling for Carney to testify, say it's about 'accountability'
The federal Conservatives made good on their promise to push for former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to testify before MPs, resulting in a heated political debate in Ottawa on Tuesday.