Future carbon taxes in Ontario would face referendum, government announces
Future provincial governments will need to hold a referendum before introducing a carbon tax, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday.
Ford said if passed, the new legislation would give voters a “direct say” over any new provincial carbon tax, cap-and-trade system or other carbon pricing program.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“This new law will guarantee that no provincial government can force a costly carbon tax on the people of Ontario without ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear,” Ford said of the Get It Done Act, which will be tabled in the spring session of the legislature later this month.
Separately, Canada has had a national price on pollution since 2019 and requires provinces and territories to either establish a levy on greenhouse gas emissions or adopt the federal system.
Ford has been long opposed to that tax, going as far as requiring gas stations to display anti-carbon tax stickers on pumps in 2019, before a Superior Court judge said the requirement was unconstitutional a year later.
Currently, the federal carbon tax on gasoline is 14.31 cents per litre and is expected to increase to 37.43 cents per litre in 2030, the province said.
“You’re being gouged by the carbon tax, it’s as simple as that. It’s the worst tax ever,” Ford said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement and answers questions at a press conference in Mississauga, Ont., Tuesday, February 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Since the federal carbon tax has been in effect, Ottawa has issued rebates to Canadians where the levy is applied through direct deposits and cheques.
Last year, the Ontario government announced an extension of its gas and fuel tax rate cuts until June 30, 2024 to combat the price at the pumps. Ford said at the time that the cut has saved households $260 on average since it was first introduced in 2022.
Ford calls Bonnie Crombie 'queen of the carbon tax'
At the event in Mississauga, Ford took aim at the city’s former mayor and current Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, calling her the “queen of the carbon tax.”
She was up there cheering the carbon tax,” Ford said of Crombie’s time as a Liberal MP from 2008 to 2011, adding that she raised taxes “every single year” that she was mayor of Mississauga.
A recent poll suggests that if a provincial election were held today, Ford’s Progressive Conservatives would be only eight points (34 per cent) ahead of Crombie’s Liberals (26 per cent).
The NDP would garner only 18 per cent of the vote, according to the same poll.
The PCs have spent little time going after NDP and Opposition Leader Marit Stiles, but released attack ads against Crombie in the final months of 2023.
In a statement issued following Ford’s announcement, Crombie referred to Ford as “desperate Doug” and said he had “abandoned Ontario.”
“Desperate Doug is yet again trying to distract Ontario citizens from his failures, flip flops and scandals,” she wrote.
"Let’s be clear: Doug Ford would sooner drag Ontario backwards just to enrich his well-connected insiders, than come up with a climate plan of his own.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Oilers win Game 7 over Canucks, advance to Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.