Debate began in the House of Assembly today on Bill 60, An Act to Amend the Revenue Administration Act which will increase tax rates on carbon products, even as the province has introduced a cut in the provincial portion of the tax on gas and diesel – equating to approximately eight cents a litre.

Opposition Finance critic Tony Wakeham was the first to stand to debate the bill, indicating that the Opposition will not be supporting an 2.2-cent increase in the carbon tax.

Wakeham called an increase in carbon taxes a “slap in the face” to those struggling to fill up their tanks, and inflation alone has put enough pressure on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to the degree that the imposition of an increase in carbon taxes is no longer needed.

Wakeham could not help but point out the irony of debating an increase in carbon taxes on the same day that government is introducing a cut in provincial taxes.

Wakeham argues that with Muskrat Falls and other measures introduced by the provincial government in recent years, an increase in the carbon tax should not even be needed in Newfoundland and Labrador.