Lower Carbon Tax, Higher Minimum Wage Now In Effect In N.B.
New Brunswickers are now paying less to fill up their vehicle’s fuel tank thanks to the new provincial carbon tax.
A new carbon-emitting product tax of 6.63 cents per litre for gasoline and 8.05 cents per litre for diesel took effect Wednesday.
The province also lowered the provincial fuel tax by 4.63 cents for gasoline and 6.05 cents for diesel, leading to a net carbon price of two cents per litre.
The maximum price for regular self-serve is down 2.8 cents to 74.9 cents per litre, while diesel has dropped by 3.9 cents to 97.2 cents per litre.
Furnace oil fell by just over six cents while propane is down by 3.5 cents per litre.
The New Brunswick carbon tax replaces the federal fuel charge which had been in effect since April 2019.
Small hike in the minimum wage
New Brunswickers who are earning minimum wage are now making a bit more money.
The minimum wage in the province increases by $0.20 Wednesday to $11.70 per hour.
The increase is indexed to New Brunswick’s consumer price index, which grew by 1.7 percent in 2019.
Despite the increase, the rate is the lowest in the Maritimes. Nova Scotia has raised its rate to $12.55 per hour; Prince Edward Island now has a minimum wage of $12.85.
Brad Perry is the news director with Country 94/97.3 The Wave, a Huddle content partner.