DIDSBURY - After spending more than $60,000 in carbon tax for Town of Didsbury-operated buildings and facilities last year, the municipality expects to realize savings in 2025 although the exact amount has yet to be determined, says acting chief administrative officer Amanda Riley.
In her monthly report presented to council at the April 8 regularly scheduled council meeting, Riley said the federal fuel charge, often referred to as the consumer carbon tax, was reduced to zero effective April 1.
“The greatest impact to the municipality is on fuel purchase in bulk or retail for vehicles, including operational vehicles, lawn mowers and fire trucks, as well as carbon tax charged on natural gas consumption at town facilities,” she said.
Prior to April 1 an additional $0.176 was charged for each litre of fuel consumed and $0.1525 was charged for each cubic metre of natural gas consumed, she said.
“While the federal fuel charge for natural gas is expected to be fully removed from the natural gas bills for the month of April and onward, gasoline retailers may not full adjust prices immediately to reflect the changes,” she said.
“The town paid approximately $60,700 in carbon tax for town-operated buildings and facilities in 2024 alone, not including GST. Savings are expected in 2025, although the exact amount has yet to be determined.”
The industrial carbon pricing system, which includes the output-based pricing system at the federal level or the technology innovation and emission reduction at the province level remains in effect, she said.
“The municipality does not meet the definition of an industrial entity and therefore pays consumer carbon tax, the same as any individual,” she said.
In her report, Riley also said that town has been successful in its recent application for the provincial fire service grant in the amount of $8,700.
“The grant will offset Didsbury Fire Department costs of providing training to our firefighters, specifically for pump operator, aerial apparatus and driver operator certification courses,” she said.
Council carried a motion accepting Riley report as information.
