Families love their SUVs

Québec solidaire argues, however, that exceptions would apply. A family of three or more children could, for example, always turn to these gas-guzzling vehicles without penalty.

Enough to startle many families with two children or less who currently own an SUV and with whom Le Journal spoke.

For most of them, it would be difficult to part with their vehicle, necessary for their leisure and sports or outdoor activities.

“I coach my guy in hockey and baseball, my daughter dances. When there are competitions or tournaments, we leave the four weekends […] The car is always full! explains Daniel St-Aubin, a father of two children from Mascouche.

Same story with Marie-Noëlle Fontaine, a single mother from Quebec, who acquired her SUV in 2015 to transport ski equipment, bicycles and luggage during getaways or camping trips.

Inevitably, an extra 15% on her car would force her to review her budget. “I would pay for it, because I am lucky to have a good job, but I would have to deprive myself elsewhere. And not everyone is in my position, ”she laments.

Daniel St-Aubin would have preferred the measure proposed by Québec solidaire to further reduce the price of electric cars, rather than tax gasoline-powered ones.

Because if the father of the family is tempted to choose the electric option, the high cost and the lack of availability of these vehicles discourage him.

“No one is against virtue, we all want to avoid polluting!” summarizes Mr. St-Aubin, adding that around him, only young couples own a small vehicle.

“And when the kids come, they switch to the SUV. Like my girlfriend and me, ”he illustrates.

A couple from Quebec with two children, who have not had a car for a year, welcomes the proposal of Quebec solidaire.

The duo favors teleworking, active travel – such as walking and cycling – and local activities. If necessary, they rent a vehicle.

“The number of times you need a huge car to get somewhere is minimal. The reality is that a large part of the people who buy big tanks practically don’t need them,” says Eric Michaud.

If she is rather in favor of this measure, her spouse struggles to understand why the surtax would not spare families with young children.

“It is certain that with early childhood, it requires more material”, nuance Danielle-Maude Roy Dumas, who can understand the relevance of a car when a parent has to drag a stroller, a high chair or a playpen. , for example.

For the president of the Corporation of automobile dealers of Quebec, Robert Poëti, the measure proposed by Quebec solidaire will penalize families and athletes.

“To go and tax more Quebecers who use their vehicle for outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, camping, family, sports, it’s really counterproductive in my opinion,” commented the former Liberal cabinet minister.

• 15% surcharge for vehicles that emit 210 grams or more of CO2 per kilometre.
• Most pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs fall into this category.
• In addition, small vehicles such as the manual Nissan Qashqai, the Toyota Camry or the Golf GTI would also be subject to this surcharge, according to the 2021 Fuel Consumption Guide published by Natural Resources Canada.
• The total amount, including the surcharge, must be displayed by the dealers.

• Families with three or more children
• “F-plated” vehicles for work
• used cars
• Motorists from remote areas who have to travel on more difficult roads. A local body would be responsible for determining exemptions for each region.