To the editor:
Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, has been campaigning on a poetic promise to “axe the (carbon) tax”, claiming that this will make life more affordable for Canadians. If Mr. Poilievre really wants to make life more affordable for Canadians, however, he could pick a better tax to axe.
The Ontario government breaks down the price of gas here.
In March of 2024, the 153.3 cent average cost of regular gas broke down as follows: Crude cost - 67.3 cents, Wholesale margin - 26.2 cents, Retail margin - 8.9 cents, Ontario tax - 9.0 cents, Federal excise tax - 10.0 cents, Federal carbon tax - 14.3 cents, and GST/HST - 17.6 cents.
If Mr. Poilievre really wants to help taxpayers save money, he could “axe the federal excise tax” or “axe the GST/HST”. However, there are reasons why he won’t do that. Unlike the carbon tax, the federal excise tax and the GST/HST are not refunded back to Canadians.
If those taxes were cut, it would reduce government revenue. Mr. Poilievre would have to cut spending or raise other taxes.
If Mr. Poilievre “axes the carbon tax”, however, he will also “axe the carbon tax rebate”. Therefore, it will be revenue neutral for the government, and for Canadians. This means that it will not make life any more affordable. Mr. Poilievre hopes that we won’t notice his deception.
Trevor Schindeler
North Bay
