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Yellowknife, N.W.T. – The Dept of Finance is floating the idea of a carbon tax on diesel, gas, propane and coal-a concept that garners a variety of responses.
Some 20 groups debated the carbon tax during a revenue roundtable discussion Oct. 7 in Yellowknife.
One group was the NWT Chamber of Commerce, and the president Ann-Marie Tout, said they’re not a fan of the idea.
“The Chamber is opposed to any kind of new tax,” she said. “We’re particularly concerned that until the economy recovers, that we don’t further penalize businesses.”
The Finance Dept. is proposing a revenue-neutral carbon tax, similar to one used in British Columbia, where other forms, such as income and corporate taxes, could be lowered.
The Minister of Finance, Michael Miltenberger, said they have to do more research to make sure the scheme will work.
“If in fact we are able to achieve a revenue-neutral, cost neutral, not add to the tax burden approach to the carbon tax then it shouldn’t, and we just have to look at how it’s going to be done.”
Miltenberger said the current government will do the research, but it will be up to the next government to finalize a scheme to tax diesel, gas and propane, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.