The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on federal NDP Members of Parliament in Manitoba to support a motion to remove the carbon tax from all forms of home heating.

“Manitobans are paying hundreds of dollars in carbon taxes to heat their homes and getting zero relief from the federal government.” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “Given the NDP’s formal agreement with the Liberal government, NDP MPs have a unique opportunity to get relief for taxpayers on home heating taxes.”

Prime Minister Trudeau announced his government is removing the federal carbon tax from furnace oil for three years. On Monday, MPs will vote on a motion to call on the federal government to extend the carbon tax exemption to all forms of home heating.

About zero per cent of Manitobans use furnace oil to heat their home. In Canada, only about three per cent of homes use furnace oil for heating and most those homes are in Atlantic Canada.

More than half of Manitobans rely on natural gas for home heating. The average Canadian home uses about 2,385 cubic metres of natural gas per year. That will cost that household about $300 this year in carbon tax. 

In total, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Trudeau’s carbon tax will cost Manitobans $386 this year, and that’s after accounting for rebates.

The premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan have called for the relief to be extended to natural gas. The Manitoba government is also looking for “greater fairness” regarding affordability on home heating. The provincial NDP in Alberta and Saskatchewan support the extension of the relief.

Manitoba currently has three NDP MPs: Nikki Ashton, Daniel Blaikie and Leah Gazan.

“Ashton, Blaikie and Gazan need to stand up for Manitobans and demand relief,” said Haubrich. “NDP MPs need to do what’s right to give Manitobans a break on the carbon tax.”