The federal government adjusted its numbers to show that Saskatchewan residents will receive slightly less of a tax rebate than first expected for their 2019 returns.The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is bringing attention to billions of dollars in carbon tax rebates that have yet to be distributed back to small and medium-sized businesses across Canada by the federal government. Saskatchewan is owed over $300 million of the over $2.
“Small businesses, especially in Saskatchewan, they’re being almost robbed of what they deserve really,” said SeoRhin Yoo, CFIB policy analyst for the Prairies and Northern regions. “They promised nine per cent in rebates, however, small businesses have actually seen less than one per cent of it being rolled out.”
The CFIB is calling for an immediate return of these funds through a one-time payment, as well as scrapping a federal plan to cut rebates promised to small businesses from nine per cent to five per cent starting this year. Yoo added cutting these rebates going forward would cause businesses to lose out on a potential $3.4 billion between 2024 and 2029.
The Ministry of Environment said in a statement that it is “preparing to return over $2.5 billion of fuel charge proceeds to emissions-intensive and trade-exposed small and medium-sized enterprises.” Both the CFIB and the Chamber are calling for the scope of businesses to be expanded, which according to the CFIB could net SMEs close to $7,000.
Ramaswany added there currently is no mechanism put in place by the government to deliver the stalled rebates, but she remains “optimistic” it will get done.Global News reached out to the Ministry of Environment to get clarification on a timeline for when these business rebates could be distributed, but did not receive an answer before deadline.