House divided as N.W.T. finance minister makes final push for northern carbon tax bill
CBC
When it comes to carbon tax legislation in the Northwest Territories, MLAs have said they're still deciding who to trust — the territorial or the federal government.
The federal government has mandated that whether or not the provinces and territories like it, residents will have to start paying more for carbon emissions that result from burning fossil fuels.
Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek introduced Bill 60 as a "made-in-the-North" approach to the federal legislation, and has said that passing the bill would allow the territory more flexibility to adjust how the carbon tax is applied.
But MLAs have criticized that bill for giving too much consideration to large emitters and not enough to residents, particularly those in the northernmost communities who already pay the highest heating bills and will be hardest hit by rising costs.
Jackie Jacobson, MLA for Nunakput, said Tuesday that passing the bill would be doing the federal government's dirty work.
"People in Nunakput already can barely put food on the table, find employment to earn income, to pay for heat, their power and their housing," he said. "How can we tax people that have nothing, nothing to give?"
Jacobson further encouraged all regular MLAs to vote the bill down.
"Whoever supports this bill, we should almost be ashamed of ourselves."
Other MLAs said that since the carbon tax is coming regardless, they'd prefer to implement the territory's plan. If the bill does not pass this week in the legislature, the territory will automatically adopt the federal government's legislation — something MLAs have said they don't understand enough about.
"Whether or not the bill gets voted down or not, the tax stays," Rocky Simpson, MLA for Hay River South, said.
"Can we trust the federal government to look after our best interests? I don't think so," he said.
"Can we trust those on the other side [of the House] to do the best? I would hope so."
"If they can't do a good job for the people of the Northwest Territories, at least us on this side have an opportunity to make change. We can change people out if we want. So I think that's important to note."
Richard Edjericon, MLA for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, said the way the bill was introduced doesn't reflect a working consensus government.
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