Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback is calling for the federal government to suspend the carbon tax. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Federal Politics

Prince Albert MP joins colleagues in call for tax relief

Apr 2, 2020 | 2:47 PM

Prince Albert’s member of Parliament is joining his provincial colleagues in calling for the federal government to pause the carbon tax.

Saskatchewan’s 14 Conservative Party MPs sent a signed letter to the Minister of Finance this week asking for the change.

Randy Hoback said given the situation with COVID-19 such a move would make sense to help alleviate some stress for businesses and farmers.

“We thought this would be a very simple solution to help them,” he said.

Hoback said while oil prices and gas prices are down currently it doesn’t change that when prices return to more normal levels farmers will see the costs on their diesel fuel, propane and natural gas bills. He added the tax is one competitors around the world don’t have.

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“It is a big cost,” he said.

The Conservative MP has opposed the carbon tax from the start and argues there are better policies to protect the environment.

Hoback also supports the decision made by Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer this week to refund the Goods and Services Tax (GST) for small businesses. Hoback explained many smaller businesses do not have large amounts of cash on hand.

“If they can retain cash and use it for paying employees or buying more inventory and keeping their doors open, that would be a better use of those dollars,” he said.

With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down large parts of the economy Hoback said he supports the moves being made to provide financial support to those affected. He added when the time comes a range of people need to be part of the conversation to determine the best way to move the economy forward.

“Those are mature conversations Canadians are going to have at the appropriate time,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn