OTTAWA | The Trudeau government is launching a counter-offensive on the carbon tax by changing the name of the check that Canadians receive under this program.
Thus, the Climate Action Incentive Payment (CIAP) becomes the Canadian Carbon Rebate (CCR).
The federal Liberals thus wish to respond to the Conservatives who insist that the carbon tax impoverishes Canadians.
“The leader of the Conservative Party, in the absence of any climate plan, is spreading misinformation and attacking a system which, in fact, helps the majority of Canadians,” the minister said at a press briefing. of the Environment Steven Guilbeault.
Quebecers do not receive rebates under the carbon tax because the province adopted a cap-and-trade system for carbon credits more than a decade ago.
The federal rebate applies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick.
However, according to a recent Abacus survey, only about half of eligible Canadians believe they will receive the payment.
“The government has finally realized that it must communicate better and do more education about the price on carbon, which is beneficial for the environment and the economy,” commented Patrick Bonin, spokesperson. word of Greenpeace Canada.
According to the same survey, 47% of Canadians believe that the carbon tax is largely responsible for the increase in the cost of living.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer, an independent federal official, has calculated that the carbon tax has a negligible impact of 0.15% on inflation.
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives promise to abolish the carbon tax, arguing that the measure increases the cost of living.
“The Prime Minister cannot defend his policy, so he changes its name,” he mocked during question period on Wednesday.
The Liberals say for their part that 8 out of 10 eligible taxpayers receive more than they end up paying in carbon pricing.
“This allows them to make money while we fight climate change,” replied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons.