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Ottawa Backs Down on Digital Tax Dispute Amid Pressure from Trump White House

Canada has reportedly agreed to delay its planned digital services tax (DST) following pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a recent statement from the White House. The tax, which was originally slated to target tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Google, had been a major sticking point in U.S.-Canada trade discussions. The White House claimed Canada “caved” to U.S. demands after months of negotiations, with Trump’s team arguing the tax unfairly targeted American firms. The Canadian government, however, framed the delay as a strategic move to preserve economic stability and avoid retaliatory tariffs. Critics within Canada argue that the government’s decision reflects a growing trend of yielding to U.S. economic influence, while others say the delay is pragmatic given ongoing global talks about a coordinated approach to taxing digital revenues. The issue remains contentious, and observers are watching closely to see whether Canada will revive th...

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Proposed Tax Change Could Impact Electricity and Gas Bills in Certain Provinces



Electricity Canada has raised concerns about a proposed tax change that could have significant implications for consumers. The alteration, outlined in the government’s bill to implement its fall mini-budget, aims to align Canada’s tax rules with those of other countries that operate across multiple jurisdictions.

The proposed adjustment to the Income Tax Act would bring Canada in line with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. However, the impact on privately operated utilities—particularly electricity and natural gas companies—could be substantial.

Michael Powell, Vice President of Government Relations at Electricity Canada, warns that this change may force privately operated utilities to increase the rates charged to consumers. The issue arises from the reduction in tax exemptions for debt loads, which would result in higher income tax bills for these companies.

As private utilities often carry higher debt loads to maintain lower rates, the proposed tax change could lead to rate hikes for electricity and natural gas services. Consumers in affected provinces should closely monitor developments and prepare for potential adjustments to their utility bills.

While the goal is to harmonize tax rules internationally, the impact on everyday Canadians remains a critical consideration. As the bill progresses, citizens and policymakers alike will be watching closely to assess its effects on household budgets.


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