NB government promises carbon pricing will be tax neutral

The New Brunswick government has reiterated their dedication to ensuring carbon pricing isn’t a burden bore by the province’s taxpayers.

Although no exact details are being released at this time, Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle said their government has long promised to offset revenues collected by a carbon tax.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia let down, surprised by Ottawa’s carbon price plan: minister

“It will always be neutral revenue,” said Rousselle. “That was clear right from the start.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that $10 per ton would be added to the price of carbon pollution in 2018, increasing by $10 per year to $50 per ton in 2022.

READ MORE: Trudeau says Liberals willing to impose carbon price on provinces

Rousselle says his hesitation to address exact plans for offsetting the carbon pricing structure comes from the province awaiting the completion of the Select Committee on Climate Change’s recommendations.

“We always said that we will be waiting for their report and their recommendation before taking a stance,” explained Rousselle.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We always said that we will be waiting for their report and their recommendation before taking a stance," explained Rousselle.

Environmentalists see the announcement as a step in the right direction, and one that they’ve been calling for for quite some time.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia ‘will not be implementing a carbon tax,’ McNeil says

“Huge economies are already covered by a carbon price: California, Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, the New England seaboard,” explained Lois Corbett, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.

“We have these mechanisms in place already so in fact it’s more the places that don’t have one that are the exception that proves the rule.”

“We’ve recognized for a very long time that it’s one of those tools that you have to have in your tool box if you’re going to address this huge gnarly problem,” said Corbett.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We've recognized for a very long time that it's one of those tools that you have to have in your tool box if you're going to address this huge gnarly problem," said Corbett.

New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon expects the added revenue coming from big businesses will provide the province with the means to further encourage residents to use more energy-conscious means.

“It will generate the kind of revenue that is needed to provide incentives, grants, financing to home owners and businesses to invest in reducing emissions, cutting their energy costs and overall reducing their carbon footprint,” explained Coon.

The Select Committee on Climate Change is expected to release their report within the next few weeks.

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