Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Manitoba Government Changes Course, Plans To Adopt Its Own Carbon Tax

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Mar, 2020 08:02 PM

    WINNIPEG - Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government has changed course and has agreed to bring in its own carbon tax, but is cutting the provincial sales tax as well.

     

    Premier Brian Pallister says his government plans to enact a $25-per-tonne tax, starting July 1, and will lower the provincial sales tax by one point to six per cent at the same time.

     

    Pallister originally planned a $25-per-tonne levy in 2017, but withdrew it when the federal government said it was not high enough.

     

    The federal government then imposed its own tax on Manitoba and three other provinces, and that tax is set to rise to $50 a tonne by 2022.

     

    Pallister is still fighting the federal levy in court, although a date for the Federal Court hearing has not been set.

     

    Pallister says he hopes the federal government will abandon its demands and respect Manitoba's plan.

     

    "Of course I'm disappointed Ottawa didn't see the wisdom of supporting a government which has been willing to expend the political capital of proposing to bring in a carbon tax when no other conservative government would," Pallister said Thursday.

     

    Saskatchewan has also challenged the federal tax and its case is to be heard this month in the Supreme Court. Manitoba is an intervener in that hearing.

     

    Pallister, who has faced criticism from some supporters over his willingness to implement a carbon tax, said cutting the sales tax will help people and the economy.

     

    "The PST dropping increases our competitiveness as a province, helps us achieve our job-creation goals, helps put more money disproportionately into households where there is less discretionary income."

     

    The sales tax drop will bring Manitoba in line with Saskatchewan's six per cent rate. It is the second time Pallister has cut the PST. He reduced it to seven per cent from eight last year, shortly before calling an early election.

     

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Five Police Agencies Partner To Open New High-tech Training Simulator

    Metro Vancouver police from five departments will start training this month in a state-of-the-art simulator, part of a new Regional Municipal Training Centre, located in Delta.

    Five Police Agencies Partner To Open New High-tech Training Simulator

    PICS: Surrey RCMP Auxiliaries Honoured For Their Service And Dedication

    Surrey RCMP Auxiliaries were honoured for their contributions and service to the community last weekend at the annual Auxiliary Awards Dinner.    

    PICS: Surrey RCMP Auxiliaries Honoured For Their Service And Dedication

    Panic Shopping In Metro Vancouver | COVID-19 Update As Global Effort Fail To Curb Spreading

    Shops run out of toilet Paper and other essentials

    Panic Shopping In Metro Vancouver | COVID-19 Update As Global Effort Fail To Curb Spreading

    BC Liberal MLA Jas Johal Slams NDP Performance

    On top of his terrible new poll numbers, John Horgan has had to deal with several missteps from his MLAs, a minister going off the deep end, and his Surrey colleagues getting caught in a lie about funding for a second hospital

    BC Liberal MLA Jas Johal Slams NDP Performance

    Legislation To Ensure ICBC Surpluses Benefit Drivers

    Legislation To Ensure ICBC Surpluses Benefit Drivers
    This proposed legislation will be introduced in the coming days. If passed, it will help ensure ICBC’s long-term financial stability.    

    Legislation To Ensure ICBC Surpluses Benefit Drivers

    ICBC And Police Remind Drivers To ‘Take A Break’ From Their Phones

    ICBC And Police Remind Drivers To ‘Take A Break’ From Their Phones
    This month, drivers will be hearing one message – take a break from your phone when you're behind the wheel. Not only is it dangerous, but the costs can add up quickly.

    ICBC And Police Remind Drivers To ‘Take A Break’ From Their Phones