Life becomes a lot more expensive as of tomorrow with significant changes in the taxation structure for fuel.

It will be more expensive to drive our vehicles and heat our homes as of tomorrow but that’s just the beginning. In addition to an increase in the carbon tax, the federal government is imposing a totally new tax—the Clean Fuel Standards. Its effect won’t reach the pumps for a few days.

Franco Terrazano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, calls that second tax “useless” and one which will cost Newfoundlanders and Labradorians an extra $850 per year by 2030. He says the carbon tax this year will cost people in this province about $350 more than they will receive in rebates.

Plus, Terrazano says virtually all goods and services will be impacted.

It will cascade throughout the whole economy because most of our goods are delivered by truck so those costs will be passed on to the consumer.

Opposition Leader David Brazil says the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador jumped in too late to have any meaningful impact on Ottawa’s decision to impose the taxes.

He notes that even medicine is going to be impacted because much of it is flown in and all modes of transportation will be paying a lot more for fuel.