This is disappointing
It’s even more disappointing that I would bet money that gas stations will not lower their prices by the same amount as the tax because of this. They’ll go down maybe 5 cents and claim it’s the savings.
The average family is going to lose money from dropping this policy, they were getting more from the rebate than they were spending on the tax.
Before you get disappointed, pay attention to the fact that he’s repeatedly said his plan is to replace the carbon tax, not just end it with no backup plan.
Carney’s play here is simple; he wants, and believes in, some form of carbon pricing, but The Carbon Tax has become politically radioactive. So, kill it, rebrand it, and reintroduce it. Without “Axe The Tax” and “Fuck Trudeau” PP loses his entire political identity.
Alternatively, he defends the carbon tax, potentially to the point of it being enough to put the CPC over the top in an election, and then they axe it with no plan to replace it.
I’ll join you in being disappointed - and disgusted - if he fails to follow through on delivering an effective replacement (which won’t happen until after an election), but for now let’s follow the play.
