Practically, losing the bet could cost Manitobans more than $200 million in higher-than-required carbon taxes that don't result in any savings from Ottawa
This column originally ran in the Winnipeg Sun and is now free to reprint.
Premier Brian Pallister is betting his carbon tax, that's more than twice as high as Ottawa's initial requirement, will mean the province can get away with paying a lower carbon tax later.
Losing that bet could cost Manitobans millions.
Premier Pallister wants to impose a $25 per tonne carbon tax next year. That translates to a 5 cent per litre tax on gasoline. It'll cost taxpayers $260 million annually. The premier plans to keep the carbon tax at $25 per tonne for five years.
