The provincial government has unveiled legislation that will pave the way for a carbon tax in Manitoba.

Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires introduced the climate and green plan implementation act this afternoon, which includes five separate acts that cover a variety of environment and economic areas.

The plan will also introduce a carbon tax of $25 per tonne on gas, liquid or solid fuel products intended for combustion. The province says the tax will increase gasoline by 5.32 cents per litre, diesel by 6.71 cents per litre, natural gas by 4.74 cents per litre and propane by 3.87 cents per litre.

“We believe the government should be taxing the things they don’t want, such as pollution, not the things they do want like economic growth,” Squires said. “We know our environment is our most precious asset.”

Despite the fact the province says revenue generated from the carbon tax will be returned to Manitobans through a number of tax relief measures outlined in its recent budget, Squires believes people will change their behaviours and be more ecofriendly.

“I’ve had conversations with people around the province who have switched to hybrid and electric vehicles or are looking at other heating sources for their homes,” Squires said. “I have also talked to a lot of businesses who are looking to lower their carbon foot print.”

Critics of the plan, such as opposition NDP leader Wab Kinew, insist the opposite is true.

Kinew says with this plan, the province hasn’t done nearly enough to encourage change.

“There are no incentives to help the average family buy an electric vehicle, transition to geothermal energy or take the bus for their morning commute,” Kinew said, noting the tax will add around $300 a year in costs for a person with a gas powered car. “When we consider the impact this is going to have on the average Manitoban’s pocket book, how are they going to make a transition to a greener lifestyle with less money at the end of the day?”

The province’s climate and green plan will also form a new advisory council to provide advice and guidance to reduce emissions in Manitoba. Squires couldn’t say who will be on the council, but says the province is in the process of picking a “diverse group of experts.”

The plan will also establish a $40 million climate and green fund for projects in Manitoba dedicated to reducing greenhouse gases.

For the carbon tax, the province will include exemptions for fuel used by companies or farms in the agriculture sector and the Brady landfill, which is the second largest emitter in the province.

The carbon tax will take effect Sept. 1, 2018 and will be reviewed in 2022.