Dozens gather on highway to protest carbon tax hike
`Atrocious' levy affects everybody in the country, demonstrators say
Dozens of people gathered on the Trans-canada Highway at Highway 22 west of Calgary as part of a countrywide protest against the federal carbon tax, which increased Monday.
Protesters called for the tax — levied on individuals, families, small and medium-sized businesses, First Nations and public institutions such as cities and schools — to be abolished.
The demonstration was one of several across the country Monday, with plans to continue them until the tax is rescinded, organizers said.
Shaun Derman was one of many who stood at the side of the highway, holding a sign that read, “Axe the tax.”
“I come out for the protests because I believe there should be a Western Canada now — stop the carbon tax, stop the transfer payments to the east, stop it all.”
The federal carbon tax rose Monday from $65 per tonne of carbon emissions to $80.
Derman criticized the tax for causing an increase in the cost of gas, groceries and other consumer goods.
“I'd like to have more people aware of it so that more people will get involved,” he said.
Several RCMP vehicles were parked nearby, and police advised motorists of potential delays on Highway 1.
“If you have travel plans in this area during this time, consider alternate routes,” Mounties said in a written statement issued Monday morning. “Alberta RCMP and partner organizations will be present to ensure that the impact on travellers will be minimized and to ensure traffic disruption will not affect public safety.”
Members of the Calgary Police Service's public safety unit were on hand to assist — “a normal practice in these types of events,” according to the service.
The protest maintains a non-partisan stance, organizers said in a statement issued Sunday, aiming to show the variety of Canadians that disapprove of the carbon tax.
One protester who drove from B.C. and wished to remain anonymous called the carbon tax “atrocious,” saying it affects everybody.
Pointing to the Petro-canada gas station nearby, the protester said she noticed a 30 cent increase at the pump from Sunday night to Monday morning.
“I've talked to people today who cannot afford fuel to go to work ... how can they make the money to live?” she said.
The increase in the federal carbon tax comes at a time when Canadian members of Parliament will get their customary pay raise on April 1, resulting in increases of anywhere between $8,500 and $17,000 this year.
“Did you know Justin Trudeau and his cabinet got raises today? On the very day that he decides to empty Canadians' bank accounts a little bit more. That's why we're here. There are more people in this country that are not fine, and it's getting worse.”
Protester Judy Martens said people are running out of options, and the demonstration is one way everyone can come together to oppose the carbon tax.
“Seeing what's happening to Canada, seeing how everybody's starting to suffer more and more ... my hometown never had a tent city; now there's a giant tent city,” she said.
Elsewhere in Canada, dozens of people gathered on Parliament Hill, some waving “axe the tax” signs while others draped themselves in Canadian flags or expletive-laced messages about the prime minister.
Protesters also temporarily blocked the Trans-canada Highway linking Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Monday's carbon tax increase will be noticed most with the price of gasoline and diesel.
Drivers in the Calgary region have seen pump prices rise, in part due to the carbon tax hike and a simultaneous increase in the provincial gas tax.
Trudeau and other carbon pricing proponents say critics are ignoring the fact that Canadian families receive quarterly rebate cheques, which are more generous to low-income households, to help them offset the upfront costs.
The federal government on Monday also increased the quarterly rebate amounts. Albertans will be getting $225 for a single person, $337.50 for a couple and $450 for a family of four. Rural residents are to receive 20 per cent more.
The next rebate is due April 15. Carbon tax supporters point to the costs climate change has imposed on Canadians through disasters such as wildfires and floods.
Last week, some 200 economists and academics from universities across the country released an open letter defending carbon pricing as the most low-cost way to reduce emissions, as opposed to imposing stricter regulations.