FREDERICTON, NB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is reminding taxpayers in New Brunswick to fill up before Ottawa’s carbon tax is imposed on New Brunswick families and business starting Apr. 1.

“Ottawa’s carbon tax will increase the cost of gas, diesel and home heating, making life more expensive for New Brunswickers,” said CTF Atlantic Director Paige MacPherson. “It’s a good bet that gas prices are going to go up on Monday, so I’d be filling up my truck this weekend.”

In addition to existing gas taxes, which account for 34 per cent of the current price of gas in New Brunswick, Ottawa’s carbon tax will add 4.42 cents to every litre of gas purchased in 2019. By 2022, the federal government plans to raise the carbon tax to 11 cents per litre of gasoline.

“The carbon tax will hit New Brunswickers on April Fool’s Day, but unfortunately for taxpayers, this isn’t a joke,” said MacPherson. “The carbon tax will hike the cost of nearly everything you buy.

“The carbon tax will also make it more expensive to operate school buses, hospitals, ambulances and many other services. Obviously, taxpayers will pay for all of that too.”

Business groups in New Brunswick and across Canada have warned that Ottawa’s carbon tax will force them to cut wages, eliminate jobs or limit business growth.

“New Brunswickers already pay some of the highest taxes in Canada and the province already struggles to compete for investment, people and jobs,” said MacPherson. “New Brunswick is fighting Ottawa’s carbon tax in court. What will it take for Ottawa to listen to New Brunswickers and acknowledge that they can’t afford the carbon tax?”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation petition urging New Brunswick MLAs to fight Ottawa’s carbon tax is available at this LINK.