Carbon tax to kick in next week — but details for small businesses not yet finalized

Canada’s small business operators say they are not ready for the carbon tax to kick in next week – particularly since the federal government has still not told them how they will be compensated for the cost.The federal carbon pricing backstop kicks in April 1 in the four provinces that didn’t have their own carbon pricing system – Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. Nunavut and Yukon, both of which asked to use the federal system, will start on July 1. Ottawa has promised to return all the funds collected in rebates to individuals, businesses, local governments and other organizations. The rebates for individuals are already flowing as tax returns get filed, but the promised program to help small and medium businesses hasn’t been finalized.