FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                   October 26, 2023

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition joins the thousands of Yukoners relieved to hear that the federal government has suspended the carbon tax on home heating oil for the next three years. The dramatic change in policy by the federal Liberal government comes after years of lobbying by the Yukon Party.

“While we are happy to see the federal Liberal government take our advice and remove the carbon tax from home heating oil, we remain concerned with the impact that the annual increases to the carbon tax will have on the cost of living in the Yukon,” said Leader Currie Dixon. “Removing the carbon tax on home heating oil is a start. We will continue to provide solutions to the cost-of-living crisis for Yukoners.”

The Yukon Party passed a motion calling for the removal of the carbon tax for home heating fuel in November of 2022. The motion read as follows:

“THAT this House urges the Government of Canada to exempt home heating fuel from the Government of Canada’s carbon-pricing system.”

All Liberal MLAs in the Yukon Legislative Assembly voted against that motion and in favour of keeping the carbon tax on home heating fuel. During the debate, Community Services Richard Mostyn, called the idea an “assault on carbon pricing.” (Nov 9, 2022).

Following passage of that motion, the Yukon Party called on then Liberal Premier, Sandy Silver to formally request that the carbon tax be removed from home heating fuel. He refused saying that it would do nothing but “extend a fossil fuel future.” (November 24, 2022).

Despite the Yukon Liberals' best efforts to keep the carbon tax on home heating fuel, the Prime Minister has finally relented and offered some relief to Yukoners.

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026