CFIB says Ottawa owes Atlantic Canadian business carbon tax rebates [Video]

Small businesses in Atlantic Canada are owed millions of dollars in carbon tax rebates, according to a non-profit advocacy organization.

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 works out to $646 in New Brunswick, $879 in Nova Scotia, $631 in Prince Edward Island, and $1,058 in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“It’s a significant amount at a very hard time for small businesses,” said Duncan Robertson, a senior policy analyst with CFIB.

According to the 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 there has been no reason given as to why the funds have not been issued. He says the organization is also concerned over a looming reduction …