Bay of Quinte MP and Conservative Shadow Minister for International Trade, Ryan Williams, issued a statement Monday calling attention to rising costs for municipalities due to the Carbon Tax.
Read his full statement below:
Canadian municipalities are bearing the brunt of the carbon tax, which is driving up already high property taxes as local governments face increased costs to heat and fuel municipal buildings, recreation facilities, and essential services vehicles such as police cars and fire trucks.
As a result of the carbon tax, municipalities across Canada are experiencing additional financial pressure that is being passed down to property owners. In Belleville, Ontario, the impact of the carbon tax is particularly notable. The city faces an extra $410,000 annually in costs – a burden that directly translates to an increase of 0.37% on residents’ property tax bills.
“Municipalities are already struggling to balance their budgets without placing further financial strain on taxpayers,” said Ryan Williams, Bay of Quinte MP and Conservative Shadow Minister for International Trade. “The carbon tax is adding substantial costs to essential services like heating public buildings and fueling police cars and fire trucks, and this is ultimately hitting homeowners where it hurts – on their property tax bills.”
The impact on local families is all too clear. “While families have their children at swim lessons, their parents are drowning in taxes,” added Williams. “Municipalities are feeling the pressure to cover the cost of the carbon tax, and it’s hitting Canadians’ wallets hard. This added financial burden comes at a time when local governments are already facing pressures from inflation, rising interest rates, and increased demand for services.”
Across the country, municipalities are faced with increased expenses to heat and fuel municipal infrastructure, forcing them to make difficult choices between cutting essential services or raising property taxes on families and small businesses.
“Municipalities shouldn’t be forced to choose between cutting essential services and raising taxes,” Williams continued. “This is yet another example of how the carbon tax is hurting Canadian families. It’s time to put an end to policies that unfairly punish families, while giving relief to local governments.”
Belleville City Councillor Paul Carr says, “In the coming weeks, I will be introducing a motion for Council’s consideration requesting that the Government of Canada exempt municipalities from the carbon tax similar to the GST/HST rebate program. Taxing other levels of government with no rebate simply does not make sense. Municipal government provides around the clock critical services for our economy to function, from road operations, transit and water/wastewater services to public safety. Cities also undertake a number of environmental initiatives to lower their carbon footprint such as electric buses, energy retrofits of buildings and tree planting programs to name a few. In a time when every tax dollar matters, municipalities should not be hampered with this tax burden.”
The Conservative Party is calling for a halt to the carbon tax’s impact on municipal budgets and property taxpayers across Canada, emphasizing the need for fiscal relief and a commonsense approach to economic and environmental policy.
“Municipalities are doing their best to provide services and improve their communities,” says Williams. “They should not be penalized with increased costs that unfairly burden residents. It’s time to provide relief to local governments and the Canadians they serve.”
