Bonnyville residents hope to Trash the Tax in showing against carbon tax

Through an online and word-of-mouth movement, Bonnyville and Lakeland area residents are planning on parading through Town on Monday to Trash the Tax. 

The tax in question is the carbon tax, which on Monday, April 1, is set to increase $80 a tonne, about a 23 per cent rise from the previous year. 

“It is a national movement,” said spokesperson Jamie Beaupre who is helping a group of people organize the peaceful protest. 

Billed as a family-friendly, come as you are type of gathering, the idea is people would gather at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre at 8:00am for a meet and greet and info on how to sign an online petition. 

At 11:00am, a parade by foot will be organized to the Provincial Building, but semi trucks, motorcycles and even tractors are expected to drive through. 

An open mic will be set up with musicians and people able to go up and speak against the carbon tax. A barbeque is planned with burgers and hot dogs to raise funds for the Bonnyville Food Bank. 

“I just want everybody to really know that this is a peaceful protest, it’s a family show,” said Beaupre. 

More provinces are voicing their displeasure with the carbon tax. A recent poll released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said that seven out of 10 Canadians are opposed to the carbon tax increase. 

Beaupre said that sharing the event poster through online channels is spreading far and wide. 

Mayor Elisa Brosseau was asked about the carbon tax on Wednesday’s The Morning After. 

“The cost of living is so high, and now you’ve got an extra tax,” she said. 

“As far as people getting together for a common cause, and making their voices known, I think it’s really important as part of democracy. And I certainly support it.”

The City of Lloydminster put out a press release on Tuesday condemning the tax and saying increases should be paused. 

The date April 1 is the annual increase day of the carbon tax. 

In 2019, the tax was listed at $20 a tonne, and has multiplied four times in the last five years. 

In the plan, the increases will continue increasing $15 a tonne until 2030, when it will be $170 a tonne. 

The Liberal government has repeatedly supported the tax by saying a large majority of Canadians receive more than they pay with the quarterly rebates.