Feds look to subsidize B.C. heat pumps amid carbon tax freeze controversy
Global News
Just days after saying there would be no more carbon tax 'carve outs' for home heating, the federal natural resources minister says relief is on the way for British Columbians.
Just days after saying there would be no more carbon tax ‘carve outs’ for home heating, the federal natural resources minister says relief is on the way for British Columbians.
On Tuesday, both Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were adamant that the home heating oil tax break program announced last week would not be expanded.
But after days of growing political pressure from the opposition and premiers, Wilkinson said Friday that Ottawa is going to sweeten the pot for British Columbians who still rely on home heating oil to make the switch to electric heat pumps.
“What we have done is asked provinces to partner with us and make heat pumps free, both the pumps and the installation,” came Wilkinson’ surprise announcement, as part of a response to a Global News question at a Vancouver media event.
“We will be looking to put a co-delivering program and it’s important you get support no matter where you live.”
Details of what the plan might look like remain unknown.
The B.C. government has been publicly demanding support from Ottawa for more than a week, after Trudeau announced Ottawa would freeze the federal carbon tax on home heating oil, starting in the Atlantic provinces.
That freeze would not apply to B.C., which has its own carbon tax.
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