Tax increases on beer and gas begin April 1 [Video]

Two new tax increases are coming into effect on April Fools Day.

Consumers will notice the first tax increase at the pump.

The carbon tax is rising by fifteen dollars per tonne of carbon starting April 1.

Previously, the carbon tax was set at $65 per tonne. Today, that tax is now sitting at $80 per tonne.

The tax began at $20 per tonne when it was first introduced in 2019, but it has been rising steadily since. It was introduced to put a “price on pollution,” with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Monday’s jump means an average increase of three cents per litre on gasoline.

The increase will also affect the price of diesel, propane and natural gas.

The Ontario government announced last week that they would be extending their gas tax cut until the end of the year to help provide relief at the pumps.

As the carbon tax goes up, so will the carbon rebate to help mitigate the costs — something that happens every three months.

A single-person household will get $140 and a family of four will get $280.

Tax increase on alcohol
Also set to rise is a tax on beer, wine and spirits.

The federal excise tax is increasing by 2 per cent today.

It was originally set to increase by 4.7 per cent, but had its rate frozen by the federal government for the next two years in March.

The freeze included a cut to the excise duty rate for beer brewed in Canada, which Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said would help small craft brewers save thousands of dollars each year.

Canadians will get some more insight into our government’s financial plans later this month when the finance minister tables her budget on April 16.