The Olds & District Chamber of Commerce can do very little to help businesses deal with the carbon tax now in place in Alberta, chamber president Stephen Dodwell says.
The carbon tax (the Alberta government prefers the term "carbon levy"), approved in the legislature last spring, took effect Jan. 1. Emitters will pay $20 per tonne of CO2 (carbon dioxide) they emit. That rises to $30 per tonne by 2018.
Analysts say the tax has added 4.5 to five cents a litre to the cost of gas at the pump.
"The Olds & District Chamber of Commerce can do very little in terms of changing the provincial government's mind on a carbon tax," Dodwell said during an interview with the Albertan. "Equally, now the federal government is going that way as well. That makes it even harder.
"All we can do is advocate on behalf of our members and through the Alberta Chamber, to the provincial assembly and say, ëwe're not happy with this.'
"It's a done deal. The only thing we can do is perhaps come up with advice or training opportunities to help small businesses run their businesses more effectively," he added.
When asked if the chamber plans to do that, Dodwell said the chamber would love to hold training sessions and seminars to help its members, plus increase revenues so it can do more.
However, he said, chamber members have to let the organization know what training or advice they'd like to receive.
"It's a done deal. The only thing we can do is perhaps come up with advice or training opportunities to help small businesses run their businesses more effectively."STEPHEN DODWELLPRESIDENT OLDS & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
