ANALYSIS: Getting Poorer or Richer? A Look at the Claims Around the Carbon Tax

The battle over the carbon tax rose to new heights on March 21 when the Conservatives, supported by calls from a majority of provincial premiers, failed to bring down the government with a non-confidence motion to stop the April 1 hike. But, amid the political wrangling, what’s the bottom line on the carbon tax? Most Canadians are likely familiar by now with Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre’s call to “axe the tax,” saying the charge is making people poorer. Provincial leaders also cite the affordability crisis when asking Ottawa to reconsider its policy. But the Liberal government counters that most Canadians are getting more back in rebates and that dropping the tax would mean the end of these much-needed government cheques....