Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there will be changes to the carbon tax to help people in rural areas and those who use heating oil to heat their homes. “Today’s announcement is good news for Atlantic Canadians, rural Canadians and people across the country,” said Trudeau.“We are putting more money back into your pocket and making it easier for you to find affordable, long-term solutions to heat your home. These measures will help make a real difference.”Trudeau made the announcement after the Liberals support in the Atlantic provinces plummeted in recent polls, a traditional stronghold for the Liberals.On Thursday afternoon, Trudeau said people living in rural areas will get a bigger carbon tax rebate. There will be no carbon tax on home heating oil for three years. Also, people who change their heating to use heat pumps will become part of a lucrative rebate program. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre accused Trudeau of “flipping and flopping on the carbon tax” because the Liberals support plummeted in the polls.“After plummeting in the polls, a flailing, desperate Trudeau is now flipping and flopping on the carbon tax as I am holding a gigantic axe the tax rally in a Liberal-held Atlantic riding,” tweeted Poilievre.“He is admitting he’s not worth the cost.”After Question Period, Trudeau made the carbon tax announcement flanked by the Liberals Atlantic MPs.The Liberals have taken a major hit in support in Atlantic Canada since the carbon tax started in July for Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick because the provincial programs did not meet the federal carbon tax requirements.“Today’s announcement shows leadership of responding to a national question of affordability and environmental progress,” said Nova Scotia MP Kody Blois (Kings-Hants).Trudeau said the rural rebate top-up will increase from 10% to 20%. This new change will start in April 2024.According to the government’s press release, the carbon tax for the next three years will be removed from home heating oil deliveries, with the change coming into effect in two weeks.Approximately 30% of Atlantic Canada homes use heating oil, according to the federal government.The rebate to switch from heating oil to heat pumps jumps from $10,000 to $15,000.“On average, homeowners who switch from oil to cold-climate heat pumps to heat and cool their homes save up to $2,500 per year on home energy bills,” said the press release.In 2022, the Conservatives asked the government not to include home heating fuels in the carbon tax, but was struck down when most of the Liberal and NDP MPs voted against it.
