TORONTO – The federal government has increased some taxes and the impact on Ontarians, according to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF), will be devastating, judging from the statement given to CTV by Jay Goldberg, the director of the Ontario CTF: “Canadians are being nickeled and dimed to death at a time when many people are struggling.”.

Yesterday, the non-profit organization released its annual report (which you can read and/or download here: NYTC-Report-CTF-2024) and outlined the six tax increases that Ontarians owe address at the federal level.

The first one is the Canadian pension plan tax, with payroll contribution taxes that will increase for both employers and employees, with increases of up to several hundred dollars (depends on income).

Then there’s the increase in the federal carbon tax: starting April 1 this year, the price per ton will rise from $65 to $80. The Canadian government’s second carbon tax is also expected to raise gas prices through fuel regulations by up to 17 cents per litre. And that will cost the average Canadian family between $384 and $1,157 by 2030.

The cost of heating is also expected to increase. The federal government has suspended the carbon tax on home heating oil for three years, but Goldberg said most Ontarians use natural gas for heating. “The average Ontario household pays about $300 in carbon taxes on their home heating bill” said Goldberg. “The April 1 increase means you will pay closer to $400 next year.”.

And it doesn’t end there: the federal tax on alcohol is also set to rise starting April 1st this year, with an increase of 4.7%. The CTF says taxes already account for almost half the price of beer, 65% of the price of wine and more than three-quarters of the price of spirits. “You can’t find an alcoholic beverage in this province where less than half the cost goes to taxes” Goldberg said.

Finally, the CTF highlighted that, although payroll taxes have already come into force, it would be a good idea for Canadians to take action by April 1 to tell their elected officials “no” to new carbon and liquor taxes.

Foto di Steve Buissinne da Pixabay