By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Carbon Tax Concerning For City and School District

Apr 15, 2016 | 5:07 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Carbon tax seems to be the buzz word on the lips of politicians and school board trustees across the city.

Mayor Chris Spearman addressed local media Friday afternoon and stated that while he was happy for funds allocated to infrastructure, education and affordable housing, there will be upcoming challenges imposed from the newly proposed carbon tax to take effect January 1, 2017.

“There could be an unbudgeted cost of several hundred thousand dollars that we will have to pay and we will not have any form of subsidy for under the present regulation,” he said.

The Mayor assured that the city remains in good financial standing and will look to use utilities to offset the cost of the carbon tax.

School districts across the province will also have to respond to the new tax with regards to fleet companies vehicles that rely on petroleum.

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Mitch Forster, Board Chair for School District 51, also commented on the tax stating that it would have a direct effect on education for bussing and heating costs.

Forster said that the district will be in communication with the Education Minister to look at how some of the costs can hopefully be covered.

“This is a potential difficulty for us. The government is well aware of the impact and we were told that we will be informed in the next few months.