In its continued fight against a carbon tax, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has launched a petition calling on the Yukon government to scrap planning for the tax.

The federation has been arguing against a carbon tax being imposed across the country.

It’s anticipated the federal government will impose a carbon tax system for provinces and territories that do not develop their own pricing system on carbon.

The CTF has a bumper sticker campaign underway protesting the plan.

It’s been making free stickers stating “No Carbon Tax” available to the public through its website (www.taxpayer.com) along with a series of petitions against the tax directed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and provincial/territorial governments.

“With potential costs of up to $2,569 per year for the average Canadian family by 2022, the carbon tax will also increase the price of food and clothing,” it’s highlighted on the federation’s website.

“It will mean lost jobs and struggling or bankrupt businesses, but it won’t make a dent in climate change.

“The carbon tax will hit rural Canadians particularly hard, where driving is a necessity.

“Our economy is fragile, and the last thing it needs is yet another tax to make life more difficult for families and businesses.”

In a statement specific to the Yukon, the CTF highlighted Premier Sandy Silver’s comments last year that he would work with the federal government on bringing a carbon tax to the Yukon, though details won’t be available until the fall.

In June, Silver told reporters the Liberal government stands behind its position that carbon pricing can help combat climate change with people and businesses reducing their fuel consumption.

“We still are behind the statement,” Silver said then.

“We do believe that carbon pricing mechanisms are the most effective way of dealing with man-made climate change.”

In an email this morning, Aaron Wudrick, the CTF’s federal director, described the Yukon petition as a “natural evolution” in the fight against the carbon tax.

The federal government did confirm earlier this year the possibility of an exemption to the carbon tax for the territory, but the Yukon government continues to push ahead with plans for the carbon tax, the CTF pointed out.

“The carbon tax will clearly hurt Yukoners more than most,” said Paige MacPherson, the CTF’s Alberta director.

“Driving and heating your home aren’t optional in Yukon. They’re necessities of life – and Yukon taxpayers shouldn’t be punished for that.”

The organization goes on to note a carbon tax could result in higher prices and potential job cuts as the tax is added to anything that is shipped.

“Industrial operations and mining sites will find it harder to compete,” MacPherson said.

“Airplane fuel costs will hurt tourism. Even schools and hospitals will be hard-hit by higher heating and transportation costs.”

A number of provinces have already started pushing back against the federal government plans to impose the tax.

“Yukoners who oppose the carbon tax are not alone in this fight,” Wudrick said.

“Canadians from coast to coast to coast are actively opposing Prime Minister Trudeau’s carbon tax. We started this petition to give Yukoners one way to stand up and be heard.”

Wudrick said he expects when provincial elections come up, the organization will get an even better sense of how the issue is resonating with taxpayers.

The federation also pointed out an Angus-Reid poll released earlier this month shows popular support for the tax is declining.

“Most Canadians agree environmental issues are important, but they’re also worried that carbon taxes won’t achieve much for the environment while having a lot of detrimental consequences to the economy and families’ pocketbooks,” Wudrick said.

The petition and other CTF materials are available through the organization’s website.