Premier Doug Ford is urging Ontario Liberal caucus members to advocate for their constituents by demanding the removal of the federal carbon tax on natural gas for home heating. In a social media post, Ford referred to comments made by Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings, who stated that provinces should elect more Liberal members if they want breaks on their heating bills. Ford emphasized that with nearly half of the Liberal caucus being from Ontario, it is time for these members to advocate for the families they represent.
Ford’s call for fair treatment comes after the Trudeau government paused the carbon tax on home heating oil, benefiting Atlantic Canada where 30 percent of homeowners still use oil for heating. The prime minister described the three-year exemption as a grace period to allow Canadians time to switch to electric heat pumps.
In an open letter to Ontario Liberal caucus chairman James Maloney, Ford urged the government to remove the tax on natural gas for home heating, stating that it is the only fair thing to do. He pointed out that 97.5 percent of Ontario residents do not use home heating oil and therefore do not benefit from the government’s exemption.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced that his government will not collect the carbon tax on natural gas starting January 1. Moe’s decision came after Trudeau refused to expand the three-year exemption on furnace oil to other heating sources. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has also called for an end to the carbon tax, criticizing the government for giving a tax break to one area of Canada using one type of home heating while neglecting others.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre revealed that his party has put forward a motion to extend the carbon tax exemption on all forms of home heating for all Canadians. The motion is expected to be voted on next week, and if successful, it would freeze the carbon tax on home heating until the next federal election.