Leeway from Lloyd: Trudeau not fooling consumers

prime minister, based on contract data published by the federal government.

It’s going to be an expensive April Fools Day this year thanks to the federal government. The federal carbon tax will increase to 14 cents per litre of gasoline and 12 cents per cubic metre of natural gas on April 1.

In addition, alcohol taxes on beer, wine and spirits will rise by 6.3, which makes it unaffordable to drown our sorrows.

To add insult to injury, Members of Parliament also get pay raises every year on April 1.

This year’s pay raise is estimated to range from $5,100 for a backbench MP to an extra $10,200 for the that’s had a carbon tax since 2008. You can’t drive just nine kilometres to work if it’s 10 km away to save the planet!

This, by the way, will be the fourth MP pay raise since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the carbon tax is the most annoying federal policy yet.

A lot of people, including myself, don’t understand why consumers have to pay a carbon tax since we are ants on the scale of giant industrial polluters.

It’s probably not farfetched to assume any big oil company emits more carbon dioxide in one hour than my Toyota would in 100 years of idling in a Tim Hortons drive-thru.

More importantly, paying a carbon tax actually doesn’t cut emissions. They keep going up. Ask B.C.

Also, most consumers can’t afford to buy an electric vehicle. Paying more for gas makes it unaffordable.

The annual rebate doesn’t make sense either. Just lower the tax with the corresponding refund!

Carbon taxes are the problem, not the solution and they have Justin Trudeau’s name all over them for voters to remember.

When the carbon tax goes up, so does the cost of everything else. The world runs on gas and oil. Oil is financing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and companies are pumping more of it. If the feds want to reach climate goals, give the major industrial polluters incentives to cut emissions at the source and rescind the carbon tax once and for all so we can afford to drive to work.

The carrot works better than the stick, so quit sticking it to us, Mr. Trudeau because voters out here will continue to stick it to your Liberal party.

Calendar Of Events

The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.

Square Dancing Introduction

NEW LOCATION!

Intro to square dancing will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at City Church, 5115 - 49 Street. Walk to the beat of music by following simple instructions from the caller. Come alone or bring a friend. Wear whatever is comfortable.

First evening is FREE!

Bingo at the Moose

The Moose Lodge, located at 5213-57 Street, Lloydminster, hosts bingo nights every Monday and Wednesday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. The Moose also hosts crib tournaments every second Sunday of the month. Start time is 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is $12.

Job Fair

The Lloydminster and Region Job Fair is taking place at the Gold Horse Casino on March 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.