FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 29, 2024
SIMCOE – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is encouraged but cautious of provisions in the Get It Done Act that will require a referendum before a provincial carbon tax can be introduced.
Brady, who read in copies of a petition she launched on Jan. 12 calling on Ontario to not charge carbon tax for home heating products, believes the government could take the carbon tax referendum one step further.
“The premier is saying this legislation will give the people the final say if they have a carbon tax and it will be binding on future governments,” Brady said. “This is a good proactive step, however, Ontarians need relief from their bills immediately.
“I have now introduced my petition calling on Ontario to follow Saskatchewan’s lead. If Premier Ford can’t, or won’t, remove the carbon tax from home heating for the next three years, he should indicate why.”
With the federal Conservatives vowing to eliminate the carbon tax and currently riding high in the polls, the possibility of a complete elimination of the tax is closer to reality. That does not, however, prohibit a province from ushering in their own carbon tax, such as was done in British Columbia.
The government news release states the “proposed legislation would protect people and businesses from the high cost of a provincial carbon tax by requiring the government to first obtain the consent of Ontario voters through a referendum before implementing a new provincial carbon pricing program.”
The release also states the government will continue to urge the federal government to give the same carbon tax exemption on home heating oil given to the Atlantic provinces to Ontario.
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For more information, contact Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
at 519-428-0446 or [email protected]