(Photo: The Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet with files from The Canadian Press

Federal carbon tax increase takes effect today

Apr 1, 2020 | 8:18 AM

OTTAWA, ON – Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal carbon tax is increasing today, April 1.

The increase brings the carbon price on fuel purchases to $30 per tonne, up from $20. This means that drivers across the country will pay about an extra two cents a litre at the pumps.

The federal carbon tax applies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nunavut and Yukon. None of those areas have imposed their own price on carbon that meets the standard set by Ottawa.

However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a rebate would be offered to Canadians. That’s intended to give residents more money than they pay in the carbon tax.

Trudeau has said that the need to combat climate change “remains even at a time of immediate crisis and pandemic”.

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Meanwhile, Trudeau, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer and other MPs are promising to donate an increase to their salaries to charities.

READ MORE: PM, Scheer among MPs to donate pay hike to charities during COVID-19 crisis

That salary raise goes into effect today.