In addition, individuals who earned less than $150,000 in 2023 would receive a $250 rebate in April. Together, these measures are projected to cost the government $6.3 billion.
Trudeau described the plan as a targeted response to inflation-driven affordability challenges, emphasizing that it was designed to help families during the holidays without fueling further inflation: “Our government can’t set prices at the checkout, but we can put more money in people’s pockets.”
Opposition parties were quick to criticize the announcement, accusing the Liberals of using financial incentives to curry favor ahead of the next federal election, which could occur as early as next year. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed the measures as a short-term distraction from what he sees as deeper affordability issues caused by Liberal policies, particularly the carbon tax.
“Today what we have is a two-month temporary tax trick that will not make up for the permanent quadrupling of the carbon tax on heat, housing, food, and fuel,” Poilievre said, reiterating his party’s plan to scrap the tax entirely.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also took aim at the proposal, accusing the Liberals of using short-term financial incentives to gain favor with voters ahead of the next federal election.
