Whitehorse Daily Star

Gov’t soliciting views on carbon tax rebate

The territorial government is asking Yukoners how the rebate of the pending federal carbon tax that comes into effect next Jan. 1 should be shared among Yukoners.

By Chuck Tobin on August 17, 2017

The territorial government is asking Yukoners how the rebate of the pending federal carbon tax that comes into effect next Jan. 1 should be shared among Yukoners.

An online survey posted Wednesday will be available to fill out until Sept. 16. The carbon tax will be implemented Jan. 1.

At tht point, 2.33 cents per litre will be added to the price of gasoline and 2.74 cents per litre will be added to the cost of diesel and home heating fuel, according to the federal plan.

A carbon tax of 1.55 cents per litre will be added to the cost of propane beginning Jan. 1.

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver has chosen to sign onto the federal plan rather than develop a homemade carbon tax policy.

The premier has promised to return every cent collected through the carbon tax back to Yukoners.

Under the federal plan, by year five – on Jan. 1, 2022 – the carbon tax will be at 11.63 cents per litre for gasoline, 13.69 cents per litre for diesel and home heating fuel and 7.74 cents per litre of propane.

The Yukon government is expected to collect $5 million in carbon taxes in year one, rising to $25 million in year five.

The survey asks, for instance, how important it is to ensure low-income Yukoners, Yukoners with children or rural Yukoners receive a higher rebate, or whether it’s important at all.

It asks how important it is to ensure a higher rebate is given to energy-intensive businesses or businesses that are not tied into the grid and are generating their own power, or whether it’s important at all.

The survey asks if the rebate should be provided through a direct payment to individuals and businesses by cheque or direct deposit, whether individuals and businesses should receive a tax credit or whether income tax rates should be reduced.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised he would bring in a carbon tax for the country if elected in 2015.

He offered the territories and provinces an opportunity to implement their own policies to collect the taxes, but insisted those who didn’t would fall into the federal plan.

The federal plan is built around collecting $10 for each tonne of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, rising to $50 a tonne in 2022.

“We want to hear from Yukoners to ensure we develop a rebate program that is effective,” the premier said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon introducing the survey.

The release also notes the government will be meeting with Yukon First Nations, municipalities and local industry to get their input about how to rebate the carbon tax.

The Yukon is also working with the federal government to plan and conduct a federal study to assess the potential impact of a carbon tax on the Yukon and possible means of mitigating those impacts, says the release.

The study is expected to be completed this fall.

Comments (19)

Up 4 Down 0

Lost in the Yukon on Aug 23, 2017 at 5:00 pm

Our Premier who has been mainly MIA since elected as has the Minister of HSS and others has finally figured out how to govern ... do it by survey (and of course then do what you want).
Why are we paying these people?
On another note someone recently observed that if you take a good look at who The Teacher has hired into key positions it really looks like Yukon Party 2.0

Up 23 Down 2

shake your head on Aug 23, 2017 at 8:38 am

Once again, the Whitehorse Star posts about an online survey without providing the link. Unbelievable.

Oh, and thank you Justin Trudeau, NDP and Liberals! I am really looking forward to paying 11 cents more a litre for gasoline! Then you can give it back to me, minus your admin fee no doubt, after deciding if I am worthy. Makes a lot of sense.

Up 19 Down 0

Anonymous on Aug 22, 2017 at 7:50 pm

Come on people! Some readers have said that BC have had this system for a number of years and it is wonderful. I have family there. They have stated they have yet to see 1 cent come back. They are middle income or less. Can anyone say..... Cash grab?

Up 35 Down 4

Sarah on Aug 22, 2017 at 12:11 pm

I do not agree with redistributing wealth. Those who pay more tax should get more back. Those who are lower income earners should not be getting more at a cost to others.

Up 38 Down 1

ProScience Greenie on Aug 21, 2017 at 10:14 am

Unless that 5% finds its way right back into our pockets the carbon tax will be nothing more than a cash grab. Probably as much or more C02 will be generated by the government(s) inefficiently using that revenue than by having it stay in our pockets. Better ways to make the planet a greener place.

Up 22 Down 0

vlad on Aug 19, 2017 at 6:55 pm

Hi June, I really appreciate your response However, you quote: "It is insulting to all women to indicate that any one of them would cast a vote because someone was cute". Well OK, but then you say: "Yeah... I know women did it..." So, aren't you contradicting yourself a bit, or quite a bit? People are politically very ignorant and naïve, regardless of gender. Many of them vote just because of some idiotic issue, like the pot promise. Then you must deal with that for four more years.

Up 20 Down 0

June Jackson on Aug 18, 2017 at 9:03 pm

VLAD: Thank you for the correction.. but did you not read my post? I said right at the start that I thought we needed change. It is insulting to all women to indicate that anyone one of them would cast a vote because someone was "cute". Yeah..I know women did it.. But he did get several million votes.. I am not the only one that voted hoping for change, but I am probably the only one saying.. i'm sorry.. won't make that mistake again..

Up 47 Down 1

Groucho d'North on Aug 18, 2017 at 1:09 pm

If this tax truly is 'revenue neutral' as the politicians promise it to be- why not just cancel the entire carbon tax charade and leave the money in Yukoner's pockets where it belongs? It will save a lot of time and work for those in government and give them some time to work on things that really do need to be completed- like fixing the healthcare or legal systems.
Here's a hint: The carbon tax is not really revenue neutral.

Up 31 Down 1

Phil on Aug 18, 2017 at 12:49 pm

The money you talk about is already in our pockets and they have no plan to give back when you look at GST and on the multi-plyier affect of 3 to 5 times.

Up 33 Down 2

vlad on Aug 18, 2017 at 12:39 pm

June, at first, he is not a drama teacher, he is a SUBSTITUE drama teacher. A big difference. So, basically, he is nobody, perhaps a spoiled brat. The show he had put on was silly and the promises are already mainly broken. So why did you vote your way? Perhaps because he is soooo cute? I guess. You know, one should vote for philosophy, the platform not the person.

Up 1 Down 37

Phil on Aug 18, 2017 at 7:01 am

Finally, a carbon tax. For years British Columbians have been getting cash in their pockets from their carbon tax, now Yukoners can get some too!

Up 45 Down 2

Nile on Aug 17, 2017 at 10:26 pm

How about the Libs don't steal the money from us to begin with!

Up 2 Down 31

Rick of the Universe on Aug 17, 2017 at 6:59 pm

Build more wind mills with the tax money

Up 30 Down 4

June Jackson on Aug 17, 2017 at 5:01 pm

I thought we needed change..federally, I really truly regret voting for Trudeau..but, he is a drama teacher and he put on a good show..If i could do it over, I wouldn't vote Liberal federally again. Paslowski had to go.. I would vote him out again...but now we are paying the penalty for that..Our government is pretty red... right up .... um... well.. the carbon tax is a joke to begin with.. and the people that will make the money out of it will be liberal supporters.. It works like this..one for you, two for me, one for you, three for me, one for you..4 for me.. It's the seniors and taxpayers that are going to be hooped... as carbon tax affects everything... well.. 2019 is coming.. and our own elections will come again too. Just want to say.. Sandy..so much for transparency.. too bad there isn't any.

Up 34 Down 6

jc on Aug 17, 2017 at 4:58 pm

Oh and by he way, not to worry about Silver and the Libs. From what I've been hearing, even those who voted the libs in this time, have had about enough of him and them.

Up 42 Down 2

jc on Aug 17, 2017 at 4:56 pm

Since all the tax will be returned to Yukoners, here's an idea - just take the tax off gas, diesel and propane. Simple. Why can't these inglorious leaders think of that?

Up 32 Down 1

Ron Daniels on Aug 17, 2017 at 4:13 pm

Is Silver working JT or the Yukon people

Up 61 Down 6

victim on Aug 17, 2017 at 3:20 pm

Stop stealing from people. Stop the endless lies. End the hoax. Lower existing taxes and scale back incompetent government bureaucracy.

Up 29 Down 2

Great piece folks on Aug 17, 2017 at 3:13 pm

But lacks a lot of real facts, which I have put in some letters on the survey. Will supply a letter on the subject to the paper. WC

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