MPP Bethlenfalvy Fighting to Make Life More Affordable
Ontario puts an end to the outdated Drive Clean Program and vows to continue to stand against the federal carbon tax.
PICKERING, ON — Today, MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy visited Pickering Auto Lab to discuss how the Ontario government is making life more convenient and affordable for drivers by ending Ontario’s ineffective Drive Clean program, while continuing the fight against the federal carbon tax.
“Our government promised to make life more affordable for the people of Ontario,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Pickering-Uxbridge. “The end of the outdated Drive Clean program will save people in Pickering-Uxbridge and across Ontario time and money – saving taxpayers a total of $40,000,000.00 per year.”
“At Pickering Auto Lab, we strive to keep vehicle maintenance efficient and cost effective said Saif Sanwal, owner of Pickering Auto Lab. “Being a viable dealership alternative, the elimination of the drive clean program helps us to do just that.”
According to the Auditor General, on-road emissions have declined so steeply they are no longer the biggest contributor to smog. Additionally, 75% of these reductions have come through stricter manufacturing standards, requirements for cleaner fuels and the natural retirement of older vehicles — not as a result of Drive Clean.
While the Ontario government continues to cut red tape and reduce the burden on taxpayers, the federal government’s carbon tax came into effect on April 1st. The carbon tax will cost the average Ontario driver $57 at the pumps in 2019, at 4.4 cents per litre. By 2022, drivers could be paying up to $180 more a year because of this job-killing tax.
“We’re focused on keeping money in people’s pockets, not taking it away,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Unfortunately, the federal carbon tax is going to make the cost of filling up your tank more expensive. I promise the people of Ontario that our government will continue to fight this tax with every tool at our disposal.”
“The federal government’s carbon tax creates new burdens for families and businesses,” said MPP Bethlenfalvy. “It’s our job to support our local businesses and create the right environment for them to remain competitive.”
As part of its Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, the province has committed to protecting Ontario air from smog-causing pollutants by strengthening on-road enforcement of emissions standards and by launching a new emissions testing program for heavy-duty diesel vehicles, such as commercial transport trucks, in fall 2019. This new program will result in more major polluters being tested.
“We know that the carbon tax will raise costs to every person in Ontario that drives a car,” said Rod Phillips, Minister of the Environment Conservation and Parks. Our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan serves as proof that we can fight climate change without a carbon tax.
QUICK FACTS
- Beginning on April 1, 2019, the federal government will apply a fuel charge to fossil fuels in Ontario, resulting in an estimated increase of 4.4 cents per litre for gasoline. This will rise to 6.6 cents in 2020, 8.8 cents in 2021 and 11.1 cents per litre in April 2022.
- The federal carbon charge will cost a typical household $258/year in 2019 and will rise to $648 by 2022.
- The Drive Clean program was first introduced in 1999, since then industry standards have significantly improved resulting in a steady decrease of passenger cars that fail the emissions test. In 2017, the fail rate was reduced to five per cent.
- As outlined in Ontario’s Environment Plan, the province is committed to reducing emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, while recognizing the unique circumstances of our economy. From 2005 to 2016, Ontario reduced its emissions by about 22 per cent.
MORE INFORMATION:
Hayden Kenez Press Secretary
Office of the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy (647) 282-2815
hayden.kenez@ontario.ca
Aleem Sufi
Constituency Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy
MPP, Pickering – Uxbridge (905) 391-7606
aleem.sufi@pc.ola.org