This is how the April 1 carbon tax increase will affect gas prices in Ontario
An increase in Canada's carbon pricing plan will make filling up your gas tank more expensive on Friday morning.
Starting April 1, the carbon tax will tack an extra 2.2 cents onto the cost of a litre of gas. With that change, the carbon tax will account for 11 cents of the litre.
Rebates meant to offset the hit from the carbon tax are scheduled to be mailed or delivered by direct deposit in July.
The federal government has refused to give in to pleas from provincial governments and the energy sector to postpone the planned increases.
"I think you're going to put more pressure on the consumer and consumers are already struggling with inflation," says Gurpreet Lail, president of the Petroleum Service Association of Canada.
Toronto food delivery driver Michael Chung told CTV News Toronto he's been refuelling $25 at at a time because it's all he can afford.
"The cost of the gas is too expensive so I can't do much deliveries and it's affecting my wages," Chung said.
Jody Grewal, assistant professor with the Rotman School of Management, said they would have liked for the federal government to delay the tax bump, but acknowledges they have a balancing act to do.
"We have to evaluate what's happening. Climate change doesn't take a break just because we are in this period of economic upheaval," Grewal said.
Speaking on CTV's Power Play on Tuesday, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault defended sticking to the timeline.
"95 per cent of the increased cost at the pump has to do with the cost of crude oil going up substantially because of the war in Ukraine and provincial taxes," Guilbeault said.
Alberta is pausing the collection of a 13 per cent gas tax to give drivers a break. The Ontario government has said it won't cut gas taxes unless the federal government makes a similar move.
The gas tax will rise again by about 3.2 cents a litre in April 2023.
Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy says the clean fuel standard coming in December 2023 will also add about four cents to the cost of a litre.
"Put in perspective, diesel and gasoline are going to see carbon tax increases in the order of at least 45 cents a litre between now and 2030, perhaps even earlier," McTeague said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.