Gas prices are expected to decrease by as much as l8c a litre in Canada when the consumer carbon tax is repealed by Mark Carney on 1st April. Some people are all excited about that.
Unfortunately, they will also be missing out on $210 every quarter (that's what we receive for our carbon tax rebate, the actual amount varies depending on where you live). So, most people will be worse off in net terms: be careful what you wish for. We have an electric car and so don't use gasoline, so we will be precisely $210 a quarter worse off.
But gas prices have just gone up anyway, completely regardless of any carbon tax effects, in some cases by substantial amounts. In Brandon, Manitoba, prices have increased by 14.9c a litre; Calgary, Alberta 13.7c a litre; Kelowna, BC 11.8c a litre. It's not entirely clear why this increase is happening, but it seems to be an attempt by oil companies to take advantage of the situation. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, long a vocal opponent of the federal carbon tax, is asking oil companies not to "rip off consumers". Good luck with that, Danielle. (This is the Danielle Smith who has been speaking to the Trump administration asking for a temporary halt to the tariffs because it's hurting Poerre Poilievre's chances of getting elected as Prime Minister. Her political instincts are less than trustworthy.)
This is the magic of the free market. These people will therefore see next to no net benefit when the carbon tax is lifted. They will not, however, be receiving their quarterly rebate payments. So, overall, they will be substantially worse off. Like I say, be careful what you wish for.
Most of Canada seems to be happy that the carbon tax is being repealed. Almost all the political parties are either resigned to abandoning one of the easiest, cheapest and most effective climate change policies, or positively gung ho in favour of it. It is the will of the people, they say. However, many people have apparently not really thought it through.
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