The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the B-C government to delay the implementation of several taxes, including increasing the carbon tax.
The Ministry of Finance says in a statement this year’s planned carbon tax increase from 40 dollars per tonne to 45 dollars per tonne has been deferred until next April.
The ministry says keeping the carbon tax where it is will give businesses and families more time to recover from the pandemic while ensuring the province still meets the required federal carbon pricing of 50 dollars per tonne by 2022.
The Pembina Institute says the deferral sends the wrong signal to businesses investing in B-C’s low-carbon economy, while the Green party says the move benefits the oil and gas industry.
