.
Search
 Email this articleE-mail this story  Discuss this articleWrite letter to editor  Discuss this articleOrder a classified ad  Print this page

No tax breaks on fuel

Andrew Raven
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 19/05) - The territorial government will offer tips on how to save fuel and reduce energy costs, rather than cut taxes.

That's all the government can afford despite record high gasoline and heating fuel prices, said Finance Minister Floyd Roland.

"Reducing taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel will not help residents conserve energy," Roland said in the legislative assembly.

"The most effective approach to higher fuel costs is each Northerner's commitment to reduce consumption."

While Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche welcomed the conservation effort, he said the government must do more to help low-income Northerners who face some of the highest fuel prices in North America.

"Residents should never have to choose between food and heat," said Menicoche.

"What we need... is the guts of this government to say every man woman and child will get $400 this winter," he continued, referring to a rebate the oil-rich Alberta will give to its citizens this year.

Roland said territorial taxes on auto and aviation fuel are among the lowest in the country and the government does not collect levies on home heating oil, natural gas or propane. And with fuel taxes fixed at a per-litre rate, territorial coffers are not filling up with extra revenue from increasing gas prices.

Meanwhile, the higher energy costs have lead to government belt-tightening, Premier Joe Handley said.

"I have met with all deputy ministers and reinforced the needs for conservation within government departments," Handley said.

The government will introduce a bill this month that would divert more money into a public education campaign designed to encourage conservation, Roland said.

That campaign is expected to include workshops, brochures and public service announcements on how to use less energy.