Carbon Tax rebate hits Canadians' pockets as 'Axe the Tax' protests continue
Millions of Canadians woke up Monday with a carbon tax rebate cheque in their bank account, but that's not good enough for some, who are protesting the tax.
Hundreds of "Axe the Tax" protesters have camped out on the side of Highway 1 near Cochrane for 15 days, since the federal tax increased on April 1.
"It's just great to see Canadians all come together because this is definitely something that can unite everybody," said protest organizer Judy Martens.
"So if everybody's hurting, we're here for them."
The federal Liberal government says a family of four in Alberta will receive $1,800 in rebates, the majority through direct deposit.
An individual will receive $225 quarterly.
To have received the rebate on Monday, you must have filed your personal income tax return before March 15th.
If you filed after, you will receive it at the earliest time of May 15, June 15 or July 15th, the next rebate payment.
"If you haven't done your taxes, you don't get that," said protester Rudy Bruce.
"If you're standing up to the government in some form or fashion, you're screwed. You don't get that."
Bruce says he is a long-haul truck driver and the cost of gasoline and diesel is challenging.
"I haven't done my taxes in over seven years," he said.
"The reason for that is because the government is trying to dip into my taxes and take me for four grand, which I'm trying to put a stop to."
He says he has yet to receive the rebate.
"This rebate thing is a total joke, because it's pushing up the cost of your groceries, is pushing up the cost of everything," he said.
When Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem was in Calgary last fall, he said carbon pricing contributes "in the range of 0.15 per cent" to inflation.
"So quite small," Macklem said at the time.
Martens says the group will continue to protest with signs and flags until the carbon tax is removed.
"I've heard of one person receiving it (the rebate) but that's not even the point of it," Martens said.
"If you give someone your full meal and you get some crumbs in return, it's not enough to sustain you, so that's why we're still out here."
Jason Wright says the rebate is an example of Ottawa not listening to Canadians.
"I think there's definitely an insulated elite class in Ottawa that are so disconnected from the common person on the ground," he said.
"There's no public transit here. So how are you supposed to get around? Like, a lot of people can't afford this stuff."
Mount Royal University political science professor Lori Williams says many against the tax want to understand where the money is going.
"There are some people, no matter what the rebate is, they're simply against the carbon tax on principle, just like the federal government," she said.
"The sense of whether people are being disadvantaged by this or that particular component of these expenses is something that they may not be able to put together in a clear calculation."
The scene along highway one on Sunday saw hundreds of protesters out with flags, honking horns and encroaching on the highway, slowing weekend traffic.
Monday demonstrations were smaller, but graffiti scrawled on the Trans-Canada remained.
Arthur Green, press secretary for the office of the deputy premier and public safety and emergency services, provided CTV News with the following statement:
"Canadians have a constitutional right to protest, and our government fully supports that right, but they must do so safely, from the side of the road. Alberta's government does not support the blocking of highways as Albertans rely on roads and highways to move goods such as grains and other agri-products, energy products, petrochemicals, minerals and other natural resources, as well as manufactured goods within the province and to other markets. It is imperative that road and highway infrastructure remains open to ensure people can get where they need to go, and the economy can continue to thrive without interruption."
The province did not comment on the graffiti.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
Fast food chain value deals ramp up in the United States: What does it mean for Canada?
After years of price increases and a decline in customers, fast food chains in the United States are competing with each other and offering value deals in hopes of bringing more foot traffic into their establishments.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
2 children among 5 people hospitalized after head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's west end
Two young children and three adults were seriously injured in a major collision on Highway 417 between Palladium Drive and Carp Road in Ottawa's west end Friday afternoon.
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86
Marian Shields Robinson, the mother of Michelle Obama who moved with the first family to the White House when son-in-law Barack Obama was elected president, has died. She was 86.