Quarterly carbon tax rebates start going out to eligible British Columbians

The province says eligible individuals and families can expect a boost to their bank accounts this week with the distribution of quarterly rebates of the enhanced climate action tax credit.

Changes to income thresholds inthe 2023 B.C. budget boosted what a single person can receive to a maximum of $447 per year.For a family of four, the maximum amount is $893.50.

The new income thresholds used to calculate payments are $39,115 for individuals and$50,170 for families. The payments decrease incrementally for income levels above the thresholds.

The money is generally paid out in quarterly instalments on the fifth of the monthinJuly,October,January andApril.

About two million families and individuals will receivethe credit this year, according to the province.

B.C. started taxing pollution in 2008 in an effort to dissuade the burning of fossil fuels and to promote the uptake of cleaner technologies.

Drivers of gasoline-burning vehicles in B.C. currently pay a carbon tax of 14.31 cents per litre of gasat the pump.Diesel is taxed at 16.85 cents per litre and natural gas, used in things like home heating and cooking, at 12.39 cents per cubic metre.

The rebate is meant tohelp offset the costs of the tax for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

Fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when burned and arethe largest contributor to global warming and climate change.