The joke is on taxpayers this April Fools' Day

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• Carbon tax increases April 1
• Alcohol taxes increase April 1
  
• MP pay increases April 1

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation isn’t laughing at this year’s April Fools’ jokes from the federal government as it hikes the carbon tax and alcohol tax. Meanwhile, the government is also hiking salaries for

members of Parliament.

“The joke is on taxpayers as MPs take more money out of Canadians’ pockets the same day they take higher pay,” said Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the CTF.

The federal carbon tax will increase to 14 cents per litre of gasoline and 12 cents per cubic metre of natural gas on April 1. The carbon tax will cost the average family up to $710 this year even after rebates, according to the Parliamentary Budget Officer.

The federal carbon tax will increase in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador on July 1.