Gas prices increase on Monday in Ottawa due to carbon tax hike

Drivers fill up the gas tank in Ottawa on Sunday, March 31. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa motorists will be paying three cents a litre more to fill up the gas tank on Monday, as the federal carbon tax hike kicks in.

As of April 1, the federal government is increasing the price on carbon pollution by $15 per tonne to $80.  The federal carbon tax will be 17.71 cents a litre on gas in Ontario.

• Carbon pricing 101: What today's increase could mean for you

Canadians for Affordable Energy President Dan McTeague said on Sunday that the average price of regular gasoline in Ottawa will increase three cents from 159.9 cents a litre to 162.9 cents a litre on Monday. According to Ottawagasprices.com, several stations were selling gas for $1.62 on Monday. 

Motorists will also see a 3 cent a litre hike in Kingston and across eastern Ontario.

One year ago, the average price of gasoline in Ottawa was $1.43 a litre, according to www.ottawagasprices.com.

The federal government established the price on pollution in 2019, saying on its website that "pricing carbon pollution is one of the most effective ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change." The federal government says individuals and families will receive the Canada Carbon Rebate payments every three months, where the federal system applies.  Starting in April, a family of Ontario will receive a Canada Carbon Rebate of $1,120 a year.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and several premiers have called on the federal government to cancel or delay the planned carbon tax increase.

"This tax is costing hardworking people more money to drive, to work, or drop off the kids to hockey practice,” Ford told reporters last week.

“It's going to increase the cost of everything. It's going to hurt every single person in Ontario.”

The federal government continues to support the carbon tax, insisting Canadians benefit through the rebates.

"It is the most efficient way to do it and we return all the money," Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told CTV's Question Period. "It is not kept. All of the direct costs that are paid in terms of the price on pollution are returned."

Ontario has extended the existing gasoline tax cut of 5.7 per cent until December 31, 2024.

The federal government plans to increase the carbon tax each year until 2030.

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Axe the Tax Rally

Ottawa police and the city of Ottawa are warning the public to expect possible traffic delays in downtown Ottawa on Monday due to a protest.

According to a post a Facebook, a rally will be held at the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge as part of a "Nationwide Protest Against the Carbon Tax."   There will also be a rally on Parliament Hill

"The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service are aware of planned demonstrations on Monday, April 1 that could potentially impact traffic on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge at King Edward Avenue during the morning commute," the city said in a statement.

"The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Service work together with municipal and federal partners to manage traffic, transit and public safety for demonstrations."

Officials warn there may be temporary road closures in the downtown core during a march Monday afternoon.

With files from CTV News Toronto's Katherine DeClerq