Affordability is the number one issue I hear when I talk to my neighbours in Milton. So I’ve asked economists and poverty reduction experts right across the country, what’s the main cause and what can we do to help?
The number one cause of the financial hardship people are experiencing is inflation. Inflation caused the interest rate hikes, which have sucked - but inflation has abated and things are getting back to normal. But literally zero experts have said that pricing pollution has caused inflation or financial hardship - what the poverty reduction experts have said, as a matter of fact, is that the rebate is actually doing a lot to help middle and lower income Canadian families get by during these tough times.
So yeah, it’s important to fight climate change and support families financially at the same time.
The misinformation campaign from the Conservatives on how pricing pollution is impacting our economy is doing a disservice to climate action and the pocketbooks of Canadians.
Back in 2021, all Conservatives (including Pierre Poilievre) supported pollution pricing because they knew it’s the best way to reduce emissions. Since then, the Conservatives have taken a hard right turn against the environment, and now they won’t even say “Climate Change”.
When Pierre Poilievre says he wants to ‘axe the tax’, he’s basically saying #AxeTheFacts - that guy will say anything it takes to get elected.
Ignoring climate change isn’t going to help Canadians get by financially - serious governments need to know how to walk and chew gum at the same time. Affordability and fighting climate change are both important. It’s 2024, it’s time for the Conservatives to stop denying climate change.