Federal liberals launch counterattack on carbon tax critics
Families taking a stroll along Dartmouth’s Shubenacadie Canal had to dodge a podium on Thursday when federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Secretary Sean Fraser criticized critics of his administration’s carbon tax.
Fraser was there with Liberal MP Lena Metlege Diab, who represents Halifax-West, to speak to reporters about the cuts coming – as early as next week – to offset the extra costs associated with Ottawa’s price for carbon, which was imposed on July 1.
“There is an abundance of misinformation, disinformation,” said Metlege Diab.
“We’re here to help cut some of the noise,” said Fraser, referring to critics of the levy and the measures designed to offset costs.
“I am pleased to announce that starting next week Nova Scotians will receive a direct cash rebate from the federal government in the amount of $248 for a family of four or $124 for a single person,” said the MP for Central Nova. “These are quarterly payments. These payments come in every three months.”
“What we’ve seen is a policy that ensures that the biggest polluters pay the most and that most families are better off with these policies in place because they get rebates that are higher than the fuel costs they will pay.” have to pay,” he said.
Fraser dismissed criticism from the federal and provincial Tories, calling federal conservative leader Pierre Polievre the “prime” spreader of misinformation.
“There are all sorts of ridiculous suggestions when it comes to the cause of climate change among Conservative MPs,” said Fraser, who also pointed the finger at the Houston government, which he said has made “disturbing comments” on the issue.
“The reality is that for most families, the discount will put them in a better position.”
The Nova Scotia government has spent $56,000 on a radio and online campaign to blame the Trudeau administration for the rise in gasoline, heating oil and diesel prices.
“Nova Scotians want strong action on climate change,” says the 30-second radio spot. “But I can’t afford to pay more at the pump.”
Crack numbers
A new analysis by Dalhousie University professor Larry Hughes supports the claim that not everyone will thrive under the new system.
Using a fictional family of four, Hughes, whose area of expertise is energy security, suggests that families living in a drafty old house and heating with oil will be out of pocket by the end of this year despite the discounts.
“The family of four would pay about $500 for an older home,” Hughes told CBC News. “You do best if you have electric space heating and electric hot water.”
According to the study, those living in an R-2,000 home with electric heating would end the year with $236. Owners of a so-called “average home” would end up with $168 more than they paid.
Fraser urged those who heat with oil to take advantage of the rebates and incentive programs aimed at encouraging people to switch from oil to heat pumps.
Main Street N.S9:55Liberal MP addresses criticism of CO2 tax and discount program
The federal government’s carbon tax was introduced in Nova Scotia last week, raising fuel prices. But it’s also introducing a rebate program to help offset costs. To explain how that works and what the carbon tax is supposed to do, host Jeff Douglas is joined by Sean Fraser, MP for Central Nova and member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet.
He suggested that those who didn’t should live with the consequences.
“If people choose not to take advantage of the programs we’ve put forward and still decide to use home heating oil, their costs may be higher. But the reality – for most people – is that we expect them to receive more in the rebates than they pay in fuel costs,” Fraser told reporters.
Hughes said the switch could be too costly for some families if they are “already struggling to afford a heat pump, plus have this shortfall caused by the carbon tax.”
