Most Canadians say industrial carbon tax drives up prices

A new poll released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) suggests the majority of Canadians believe they are paying the cost for the federal industrial carbon tax, not big business.

According to the Leger poll, 70% of Canadians say companies pass on most or some of the costs of the industrial carbon tax to consumers.

Just nine percent believe businesses absorb most of the cost themselves, while 21% said they were not sure.

“The poll shows Canadians understand that a carbon tax on business is a carbon tax on Canadians that makes life more expensive,” said Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of CTF.

“Only nine percent of Canadians believe Liberal Leader Mark Carney’s claim that businesses will pay most of the cost of his carbon tax.”

Carney has pledged to “improve and tighten” the industrial carbon tax and extend it through to 2035, arguing the changes would ensure large corporations bear the financial burden.

“We are making the large companies pay for everybody,” said Carney earlier this year.

But the poll results suggest Canadians are skeptical.

Among those who expressed an opinion, 89% agreed that companies pass on some or most of the tax burden to consumers.

The federal industrial carbon tax currently applies to sectors such as oil and gas, steel, and fertilizer production.

Critics argue it increases costs across the board, from fuel and home heating to groceries.

“Carbon taxes on refineries make gas more expensive, carbon taxes on utilities make home heating more expensive, and carbon taxes on fertilizer plants increase costs for farmers, and that makes groceries more expensive,” said Terrazzano. 

“A carbon tax on business will push our entrepreneurs to cut production in Canada and increase production south of the border, and that means higher prices and fewer jobs for Canadians. Canadians have a simple question for Carney: How much will your carbon tax cost?”