What that 3.5 per cent carbon tax means to people in N.L.

A lot is being written and spoken about the carbon tax increase effective April 1. Cases are being made that the average driver will spend an additional $400 annually on fuel because of the tax and will receive double that back from government in quarterly payments.

Sounds good and can be convincing for those who are Liberal or fail to look at the much bigger picture. But for those of us who are not Liberal and can think for ourselves, the facts are a lot less convincing.

Arguably, but supported by the facts, the carbon tax has added 3.5 per cent to the fuel costs of trucking companies. This increased cost has been passed on to its customers.

This means that groceries delivered to grocery stores cost 3.5 per cent more. This cost is passed on to the consumers. The average family of four spends $16,000 annually on groceries and this means an additional cost of $560.

The average family spends $2,000 on clothing and this too has a 3.5 per cent increase in cost of $70.

The average family also spends $5,000 on home furnishings, appliances, entertainment equipment, reading materials, etc, with an increase in cost of carbon tax of $175.

So, the carbon tax cost for the average Canadian family is $1,105, which is significantly more that the government is giving back to Canadians.

But — and this is a big but — if you’re one of the lucky Canadians who has flown to a vacation destination, has purchased a new vehicle, has purchased a recreational vehicle or any of those items, you will have spent significantly more than the $1,105.

If you purchased alcohol, that cost more to transport, and the list goes on and on and on.

No, the caron tax is not benefitting Canadians and the entire concept is flawed. It is designed to encourage Canadians to drive less, burn less and conserve fuel. It is not doing that. I still have to get to work. I have to drive to get groceries. I have to drive my child to school, my wife to work and for after-school activities.

This ill-conceived Liberal carbon tax does nothing to combat climate change. Between 2021 and 2022, there has been a 5.6 per cent increase in the amount of gasoline sold in Canada. Figures aren’t available for last year.

Please don’t believe socalled financial experts who are saying that the carbon tax is benefitting you by comparing what you spent to drive your car and what government gives you quarterly. They are charlatans who can only be on the Liberal government’s payroll, being paid to promote their nonsense.

Climate change is real and here to stay. We need to change our attitudes toward it by rewarding us, not punishing us. Provide incentives to drive less, burn less fuel, produce locally, etc.

Maybe if we gave them a bigger pay raise they would come up with some novel ideas.

Tom Badcock St. John’s