Manitobans appear divided on carbon pricing but would like a vote on it.

That’s the gist of a new Mainstreet Research/Postmedia poll, which found 39% support the idea, 50% oppose it and 11% aren’t sure.

Meanwhile, 60% felt there should be a referendum held on carbon pricing, deeming it a major tax. Another 28% disagreed and 10% weren’t sure.

Despite the mixed results, Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox said she’s heard plenty of support for the upcoming “made-in-Manitoba” carbon pricing plan.

“Manitobans want to do their part ... There is substantial evidence that climate change is affecting us,” said Cox.

Cox noted a vote couldn’t have the last word on a plan, however, since the federal government has mandated that each province produce some form of carbon price plan or cap-and-trade system. The feds announced a base price on carbon of $10 a tonne in 2018, which would reach $50 a tonne by 2022.

Cox declined to reveal details of Manitoba’s plan, since it’s still being developed.

Quito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Research, said there was a clear divide in those who support a carbon tax between Winnipeggers (46%) and other Manitobans (28%), likely because a carbon price could cost rural residents more.

“(Rural) people have to drive longer for their basic day-to-day lives,” said Maggi.

Others welcomed the support for a carbon charge.

“You put a cost on it so that people become aware of the fact that if I reduce the amount of consumption of these fossil fuels, I can avoid this cost,” said Curt Hull, a project manager with Climate Change Connection.

Hull believes most Manitobans can afford to pay a carbon price.

“The amount of impact of $10 a tonne, $20 a tonne, is not significant in most households and the government’s already made indications they’ll put in protections for the households that are most vulnerable,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manitobans also appear divided on how schools should be funded. When asked if school boards should be able to levy their own taxes, 36% said yes, 32% said no and 32% weren’t sure.

Education Minister Ian Wishart said confusion over how Manitoba’s complex education funding formula works may contribute to the lack of consensus. He hopes to review the issue, with consultations before the end of 2017.

When asked if the province should provide greater funding increases to schools to cope with inflation, 60% said yes, 22% said no and 18% weren’t sure, which Wishart believes reflects a desire to offset tax hikes.

“It’s probably that people are tired of their property taxes in education going up,” he said.

jpursaga@postmedia.com

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun

Carbon taxes typically aim to raise the cost of heating and transportation fuel, like gasoline, in an effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. It is estimated that a carbon tax could cost the average Manitoba household an extra $40 a month by 2022. Do you support or oppose the idea that Manitoba should have a carbon tax?

Strongly support - 18%

Somewhat support - 21%

Somewhat oppose - 14%

Strongly oppose - 36%

Not sure - 11%

In last year’s Manitoba election, PC party leader Brian Pallister promised to bring a ‘made-in-Manitoba climate action plan’ which would include ‘carbon pricing’ or a ‘carbon tax.’ At the time of last year’s election, were you aware that Brian Pallister’s campaign platform contained a promise to introduce a ‘carbon tax?’

Yes - 17%

No- 48%

Not sure - 35%

In last year’s Manitoba election, PC Party leader Brian Pallister promised that all major tax increases should be put to voters for approval in a referendum. Some people now say that a carbon tax is indeed such a major tax and, therefore, Pallister needs to hold a referendum - where all Manitoba voters can have their say before introducing a carbon tax. Do you agree or disagree that there should be a carbon tax referendum in Manitoba?

Strongly agree - 43%

Somewhat agree - 17%

Somewhat disagree - 12%

Strongly disagree - 16%

Not sure - 10%

If the Brian Pallister PC Party government puts a new carbon tax on gasoline and home heating fuel to encourage the reduction of greenhouse gases, would this new carbon tax make you more likely or less likely to vote PC in the next election, or would it make no difference, or are you not sure?

More likely - 16%

Less likely - 32%

Make no difference - 40%

Not sure - 12%

In your opinion, should school boards be able to levy their own taxes, or not?

Yes - 36%

No- 32%

Not sure -32%

In your opinion, should the province give school boards greater funding increases to cope with inflation?

Yes - 60%

No - 22%

Not sure - 18%

Note: The Mainstreet telephone survey was taken from a random sample of 1,001 Manitobans on March 21, 2017 and March 22, 2017, through landlines and cell lines. The expected margin of error is ± 3.1, 19 times out of 20.