Most Canadians want carbon tax to be abolished or reduced, new poll finds

A majority of Canadians want to see the carbon tax either abolished or lowered, a new survey has found.

According to an Angus Reid Institute poll, 42 per cent of respondents want to see the levy removed altogether, while 17 per cent want it to be reduced for the next three years.

Another 26 per cent said they want to see the tax stay in place, but without any planned increases.

The smallest proportion of participants in the poll (15 per cent), meanwhile, said they want the tax to stay in place and for increases to go ahead.

In British Columbia, the poll found 55 per cent of respondents want the tax to be abolished, while 45 per cent support it.

Another recent poll found that 49 per cent of British Columbians are against the levy.

“Much of this comes as a new financial environment has altered Canadians’ priorities,” the Angus Reid Institute said of the polling data.

“The proportion of those saying climate change is among their top issues facing Canada has dropped from 40 per cent in 2019, to 34 per cent in 2021, to 22 per cent in this latest study.

“Broadly, this has contributed to an 11-point drop in support for carbon pricing in Canada compared to 2021 levels.”

The survey also found that a majority – 54 per cent – of respondents believe Canada should maintain its commitment to fulfill targets on reducing emissions by 2030.

But only 25 per cent of participants in the poll said they feel like they are helping in the fight against climate change by paying the carbon tax, while 65 per cent said they don’t think they’re having a real impact.

See the full results here.