CTF calls on premier to reverse other "affordability" policies, like cap-and-trade

TORONTO, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is pleased by reports that the Ontario government is pulling support for Toronto mayor John Tory’s plan to toll city highways. The premier had previously suggested that the Ontario government would not stand in the way of any formal request to impose tolls on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, two of the three major highways that lead into the city. (Photo credit: Gardiner Expressway -- Rajesh Kuma/Flickr/Creative Commons)

“Reports indicate that Premier Wynne is concerned about the affordability of tolls. She’s right to worry. The Tory toll plan was going to be expensive for GTA drivers,” said CTF Ontario Director Christine Van Geyn. “We hope that the Ontario government’s new found realization that Ontario has become unaffordable will lead to a reversal of their other damaging and expensive policies, like cap-and-trade and the Green Energy Act.”

Reports also indicate that the province will change how gas tax revenues will be allocated, with a larger share going to municipalities.

“Changing how the gas tax is allocated is not a problem, provided the overall burden doesn’t go up. Gas taxes in Ontario currently represent nearly 40 per cent of the bill at the pumps, and the government already imposed a new tax on gas with cap-and-trade,” continued Van Geyn. 

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation recently launched a campaign aimed at engaging the public and empowering citizens to take action about the affordability of energy bills caused by current hydro policies and the new cap-and-trade regime. More information is available at www.StopHighEnergyBills.ca.