Achi news desk-
Millions of Canadians woke up Monday with a carbon tax refund check 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 great to see all Canadians come together because this is definitely something that can unite everyone,” said protest organizer Judy Martens.
“So if everyone is hurting, we’re here for them.”
The federal Liberal government says a family of four in Alberta will receive $1,800 in refunds, most through direct deposit.
An individual will receive $225 each quarter.
To have received the refund on Monday, you must have filed your personal income tax return before March 15th.
If you filed after that, you will receive it at the earliest of May 15th, June 15th or July 15th, the next refund payment.
“If you haven’t done your taxes, you don’t get that,” said protester Rudy Bruce.
“If you stand up to the government in some shape or fashion, you’re screwed. You don’t get that.”
Bruce says he is a long distance truck driver and the cost of gasoline and diesel is challenging.
“I haven’t done my taxes for 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, and I’m trying to put a stop to it.”
He says he hasn’t received the refund yet.
“This rebate thing is a complete joke, because it pushes up the cost of your goods, pushes up the cost of everything,” he said.
When Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem was in Calgary last fall, he said carbon prices contribute “in the 0.15 per cent range” to inflation.
“So pretty small,” Macklem said at the time.
Martens says the group will continue to protest with signs and banners until the carbon tax is removed.
“I’ve heard of one person receiving (the refund) but that’s not even the point,” 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 refund is an example of Ottawa not listening to Canadians.
“I definitely think there is an insulated elite class in Ottawa that is so disconnected from the average 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 these things.”
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, regardless of the rebate, they are simply against the carbon tax on principle, just like the federal government,” he said.
“The sense of whether people are disadvantaged by this or that particular element of these expenses is something that they may not be able to put together in a clear calculation.”
