KIRKELLA — Dozens of cars, trucks and tractors lined the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway at the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border Monday to protest the carbon tax.
Parked with two wheels on the paved shoulder and two wheels in the ditch, protesters held signs and flags or had them affixed to their vehicles. Some protesters came alone, while others brought their kids and dogs with them.
There were about 80 vehicles present when the Brandon Sun left the scene around 1 p.m., not counting police vehicles from the RCMP and Saskatchewan Highway Patrol.
(Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
There were about 80 vehicles from Manitoba and Saskatchewan present around 1 p.m. along the shoulder of the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway at the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border, Monday.
Many of the signs referenced the 23 per cent increase in Canada’s carbon tax that went into effect for most provinces Monday, with several others referencing pay hikes for members of Parliament also being implemented that same day.
Other protests were held across the country, including at the Manitoba-Ontario border.
When Sun reporters arrived at that border around 10 a.m., vehicles were lined up on a service road connecting to a rest area.
That rest area served as the base of operations and featured portable toilets, trailers, an ice fishing shack and firewood.
Organizers Dallon Leger and Tanner Milligan said they intend to have people manning the protest 24-7 until the federal government drops the carbon tax.
“There will be a lot of come and go,” Leger said. “People still have full-time jobs. As we know, the economy is getting harder and harder to pay our mortgages and buy our groceries.”
The Yorkton, Sask. farmer said he was against the carbon tax because the costs it imposes are forcing him to choose between paying his heating bill and buying groceries. He said the tax makes farming activities like seeding, fertilizing, spraying and harvesting more expensive.
(Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Many of the protestors held placards and waved to passing traffic, while taking part in the nation-wide protests against the federal carbon tax.
Canadians who live in provinces without their own carbon price (like Manitoba and Saskatchewan) are issued a rebate through the federal government.
For example, individuals in Manitoba are given $150 through the Canada Carbon Rebate every quarter, with additional funds provided depending on how many dependents a person has, whether they are married and if they live in an area considered to be rural.
“So the rebate that they offer of a couple hundred dollars quarterly, that is a tank of fuel for me,” said Leger, who said he did not qualify for the rebate.
Milligan said he saw the carbon tax as something affecting all Canadians regardless of their political affiliation. He said things like the carbon tax are ultimately shouldered by large corporations, which pass down extra costs to consumers.
“The little guy at the very end … he gets hit the hardest, unfortunately,” Milligan said.
As for whether they’re hopeful Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would change his mind on the matter, Milligan said with the protests and several premiers calling for the abolition of the tax, Ottawa would be smart to listen up.
Unlike Leger, Milligan said he was going to stay on site, using the ice shack he towed in as his headquarters and residence. He said he hoped to use the structures brought in to provide places for protesters to warm up and to serve at least one meal a day.
RCMP communications and media relations director Robert Cyrenne said 60 km/h speed zones had been put in place at the border.
(Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Protestors greet passing traffic while parked along the shoulder of the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway at the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border during nation-wide protests against the federal carbon tax, which rose 23% Monday.
“We ask motorists in the area to slow down, drive with caution, and follow any direction provided by officers at the scene,” Cyrenne wrote. “There have been no issues and officers continue to work with the planners to assist them in exercising their right to protest in a safe way.”
According to Milligan, the protesters are planning to occupy the side of the highway between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., leaving the road clear at night to address safety concerns.
“We’re out here working with the RCMP, they’re working with us the best they can to make sure that we co-ordinate. We make sure this is a family friendly, safe event,” he said.
— Brandon Sun