The Municipality of Brockton is urging the federal government to establish an efficient program for municipalities to receive full reimbursement for carbon tax costs tied to essential public safety services.
A resolution, passed during Brockton's council meeting on December 10, 2024 calls for support from municipal and federal associations while directly appealing to federal and provincial leaders for action.
The motion, spearheaded by Councillor Steve Travale and seconded by Councillor Kuhnke, emphasizes the financial strain carbon tax costs place on local governments. These costs include fuel for municipal fleets, heating for public facilities, and other operational expenses critical to delivering community services.
“Governments taxing other governments without an effective rebate system doesn’t make sense,” said Councillor Travale. He highlighted the need for a streamlined administrative program to ensure municipalities can recover these expenses without the burden of excessive bureaucracy.
Brockton’s appeal echoes a similar motion brought forward in Belleville, where Councillor Paul Carr revealed that the city had paid over $1.5 million in carbon taxes since 2019. These funds, Carr argued, could have been redirected toward sustainability initiatives if reimbursed efficiently.
The resolution directs copies to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and key political figures, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
Travale expressed gratitude to council members for their support, emphasizing the importance of addressing the financial impact of carbon taxes on municipalities. The first step, he noted, is sending a unified message to higher levels of government about the urgent need for change.