The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Premier Wab Kinew and federal Liberal and NDP Members of Parliament in Manitoba to demand that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau remove the carbon tax on home heating fuel for Manitobans.
“Manitobans are paying hundreds of dollars in carbon taxes to heat their homes and getting zero relief from the federal government.” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “The prime minister just removed the carbon tax on heating oil that’s primarily used by Atlantic Canadians. But most Manitobans use natural gas to heat their homes, so they are still getting hit with the carbon tax.”
Recently, Trudeau announced that he was removing his carbon tax from furnace oil for three years. Trudeau credited his decision to bring in this exemption to his “amazing Atlantic MPs.”
“Manitoba MPs need to do the work of their Atlantic counterparts and get the carbon tax exemption extended to natural gas,” said Haubrich. “Local MPs need to remember that they work for their constituents. Manitobans are struggling with the cost of the carbon tax just like those in Atlantic Canada.”
Almost no Manitobans use furnace oil to heat their home. In Canada, only about three per cent of homes use furnace oil for heating and those homes are primarily located in Atlantic Canada.
Most households in Manitoba rely on natural gas to heat their homes. Homes in Manitoba use about 1,989 cubic metres of natural gas, costing $238 more for the winter.
In total, Trudeau's carbon tax will cost Manitobans $386 this year, and that’s after accounting for rebates.
Other prairie premiers have rightly called for further carbon tax relief.
“I am frankly disturbed that same break will not be extended to Albertans and those from Saskatchewan and elsewhere in Canada who heat their homes with natural gas,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
“It doesn’t do much for Saskatchewan,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “The carbon tax is still being fully applied to natural gas and over 90 per cent of Saskatchewan households are heated with natural gas.”
The federal NDP has also showed support for removing taxes from home heating bills.
“Kinew needs to stand up for affordability and demand carbon tax relief,” said Haubrich. “Winter is here and heating bills are starting to rise, the time to stand up for Manitobans is now.”
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