Tax increases are exaggerated

Dear Editor:

Pierre Poilievre continues to emphasize the 23% increase effective April 1 to the carbon tax. What he misrepresents is the impact to the average household to ensure a future for our grandchildren. He has no plan to replace the carbon tax and he has not a care about the climate impact on future citizens.

On April 1, The Financial Post published an informative article by The Canadian Press, which puts things in perspective.

Effective April 1, a litre of gas will increase by 3.3 cents per litre. To fill a 50 litre tank will cost an additional $1.65.

An average Canadian home will see an average of $5.42 per month for natural gas.

The cost of clothing has increased by only 2% since the implementation of the carbon tax.

The carbon tax adds an additional 0.3% to your grocery bill. This adds 30 cents for every $100 spent on groceries.

I fail to understand how people cannot see how these gradual increases can become an election issue given the climate crisis.

Eighty percent of contributors will receive a rebate totalling more than they paid (with the exception of British Columbia, Quebec, and the three Territories that have their own plans).

The bulk of the carbon tax is being paid by well-to-do shareholders and wealthy people: “the people with the 6,000 square-foot house, the Hummer in the garage, and the boat in the driveway” and money to invest. The carbon tax targets the wealthy which, in my opinion, is fair – since they produce the most pollution.

Poilievre continues, as Stephen Harper did, to continue to give tax breaks to financially-secure shareholders and individuals. I sincerely hope that some of his converts will re-examine his policies prior to the election.

Explain to me how 80% of the citizenry can support a politician who is going to reduce your income and do nothing about climate change.

Patrick MacDonald Kelowna