BOWDEN - Mayor Robb Stuart says he's still not precisely sure how the provincial government's carbon tax will affect the town, although he's sure it will hurt financially.
The carbon levy, approved in the legislature last spring, takes effect Jan. 1, 2017. Emitters will pay $20 per tonne of CO2 (carbon dioxide) they emit. That rises to $30 per tonne by 2018.
Critics say it will hit residents hard as it impacts the cost of everything from home heating bills to gas for vehicles.
The provincial government says the tax will give Alberta the social licence to continue extracting oil and gas and push construction of pipelines.
It also says rebates will be provided to low- and middle-income Albertans to help offset the impact of the tax and the money raised from it will be reinvested to diversify the province's economy.
Stuart says the carbon tax came up during the annual Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention Oct. 5-7 in Edmonton.
He says Bowden council is concerned the tax will increase the cost of everything from fuel to street lights.
“The public I think is going to be surprised when it actually kicks in,” he said during an interview with the Albertan. “That's my personal opinion; you're speculating, right?”
“The ministers say it's all for the good and it's not going to have a huge impact, but most of the municipalities are pretty worried about (what it could do),” he added.
Stuart said details about the tax and how it will be implemented still seem to be rather hazy.
“When people asked direct questions of the minister of environment and the minister of municipal affairs, they said, ‘oh yeah, we're still not quite sure how it's going to work yet, but the details are going to be finalized in the near future and we're looking for your input.'”
"The ministers say it's all for the good and it's not going to have a huge impact, but most of the municipalities are pretty worried about (what it could do)."ROBB STUART MAYOR TOWN OF BOWDEN
