Small businesses in Atlantic Canada are due millions of dollars in carbon tax rebates, according to a nonprofit advocacy group.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says Ottawa owes $70.1 million in stalled rebates to small businesses in the four Atlantic provinces. The carbon tax came into effect in the region in 2023.
The rebate per eligible business is $646 in New Brunswick, $879 in Nova Scotia, $631 in Prince Edward Island and $1,058 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“This is a significant amount at a very difficult time for small businesses,” said Duncan Robertson, senior policy analyst at CFIB.
According to CFIB, the federal government owes a total of $2.5 billion nationwide. In some provinces, the carbon tax has been in effect since 2019.
Robertson says no reason was given as to why the funds were not spent. He says the organization is also concerned about a looming reduction in the rebate in the future.
“We want the federal government to reverse its decision to reduce the amount for small businesses from five percent to nine percent. We want her to freeze carbon tax increases at current levels. We want to ensure that too. “It affects all companies equally,” said Robertson.
CTV News Atlantic contacted Canada’s Department of Finance, which referred the investigation to Environment and Climate Change Canada. No comment was made.
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