Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
Patti Colson
Manager of Communications
902.694.2210
patti@atlanticchamber.ca
Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Calls for End to Carbon Tax
Windsor, NS (March 19, 2024) – The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is urging the Government of Canada to fully end the carbon tax ahead of the planned increase scheduled for April 1, 2024. With Atlantic Canadians and businesses already grappling with rising inflation, interest rates, and revenue shortfalls, the ACC believes this additional cost burden will further impede economic growth in the region.
ACC's recent Atlantic Insights survey underscores the significant impact of the federal carbon tax on Atlantic Canada. Two-thirds of Atlantic Canadian businesses report experiencing negative consequences, with a majority indicating the impact of the carbon tax is extremely negative. This aligns with broader concerns about the effect on regional economies, particularly for businesses already facing rising costs and a competitive disadvantage due to Atlantic Canada's unique geography.
“Our region is facing a significant increase in the cost of living and doing business is getting harder,” said Rhonda Tulk-Lane, CEO of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. “Atlantic Canada simply cannot afford another tax increase. The federal government's carbon pricing model is failing us. Canada produces 1.5% of the world's carbon emissions. We are doing our share to help the environment and we will do more, taxing is punitive and is not the right path forward."
While the ACC recognizes the importance of environmental responsibility, the current approach fails to account for the economic challenges and highly rural geography of Atlantic Canada. The ACC calls for a complete discontinuation of the federal carbon tax and urges the government to develop alternative environmental policies that support a thriving Atlantic Canadian economy alongside a sustainable future.
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About the Atlantic Chamber – The Voice of Atlantic Canadian Business
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is the largest accredited business organization of influence in Atlantic Canada representing more than 16,000 businesses and their 300,000 employees through its network of 90 Chambers of Commerce in the four Atlantic Provinces. For more than 125 years, ACC has served as the voice of Atlantic Canadian business and actively partners with its members and other organizations to help create a strong, vibrant, and growing Atlantic Canada.
