Jane Weyallon Armstrong isnSA国际影视传媒檛 sure why NWT residents are still paying carbon tax on home heating oil.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know why itSA国际影视传媒檚 still happening,SA国际影视传媒� the Monfwi MLA said from her home of Behchoko on Jan. 5. SA国际影视传媒淲e just recently got our bill, and there was carbon tax, and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 GST on top of that, and many of my constituents are still getting it.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not just me, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not just my region, but thereSA国际影视传媒檚 other regions that are having issues with that too as well,SA国际影视传媒� she added.

Under new legislation from the federal government, residents of some provinces and territories are exempt from paying carbon tax on home heating oil. However, not all provinces and territories follow the federal system for carbon taxes. Some, like the NWT, use an independent system, which means that the federal exemption does not apply in the territory, and residents are still paying the tax even though the federal government no longer requires them to do so.

Weyallon Armstrong said itSA国际影视传媒檚 unlikely that the issue will be addressed by MLAs in a meaningful way until the legislative assemblySA国际影视传媒檚 next session begins on Feb. 6.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 something that we have to discuss when we get back to work [on Feb. 6],SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淚 know itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be addressed.SA国际影视传媒�

Even if legislators begin tackling the carbon tax on Feb. 6, it could be weeks or months before policy is changed in such a way that NWT citizens start receiving cheaper home heating bills SA国际影视传媒� perhaps even after the winter is over, when the bulk of home heating fuel is consumed.

That has led to some residents suggesting MLAs should consider hosting an emergency session to address the carbon tax sooner, but Weyallon Armstrong believes thatSA国际影视传媒檚 unlikely.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to happen,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 see it happening until February.

SA国际影视传媒淚 do understand that concern because people are having a hard time as it is right now, financially,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淭his does impact peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 income. I know the urgency. They want us to deal with this right away.SA国际影视传媒�

The NWT carbon tax on home heating oil comes with a rebate. However, residents donSA国际影视传媒檛 receive any money back until well after they have paid their bills. For people living cheque-to-cheque, that system can be problematic.

The territory also offers a senior home heating subsidy, which aims to SA国际影视传媒渁ssist low-to-modest income seniors in the NWT with their heating costs,SA国际影视传媒� per the GWNT website, but Weyallon Armstrong believes the threshold for that subsidy is too high.

SA国际影视传媒漈hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of Elders in my region that donSA国际影视传媒檛 qualify for the subsidy program, and retirees, people who contributed to the public service for many years, they donSA国际影视传媒檛 qualify for some of these programs,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淭he income threshold needs to be adjusted,SA国际影视传媒� she added. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e been asking the government to fix the income threshold so that many of these people can qualify.SA国际影视传媒�

Minister of Finance Caroline Wawzonek was not available to comment prior to publication deadline.