The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says they have talked to small business owners, and the message they have heard is clear: the carbon tax is not fair.

The federal carbon tax is being imposed today in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick.

“If you look at the nuts and bolts of it, although the federal government is saying that it’s revenue neutral, it’s certainly not the case for small businesses,” says Director of Provincial Affairs for Manitoba, Jonathan Alward. “Residents are getting back 90 per cent of all the carbon tax revenues, but only paying in about half. Businesses are paying in about half and only getting back about seven per cent and that’s just clearly not fair.”

He says there are more questions than answers, when it comes to the federal plan.

“What kind of exemptions are there going to be, what do businesses owners need to do, especially those in the farming sector?” says Alward. “We’ve been working really closely with our members, and with (Canada Revenue Agency) and Minister (of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine) McKenna’s office to try and get those answers, and communicate them to our members and other small business owners.”

In a poll done by CFIB, 87 per cent of small business owners opposed the carbon tax plan.