P.E.I. cancels hybrid car tax rebate

A P.E.I. man is upset the province has cancelled a tax rebate program that encouraged Islanders to buy hybrid cars.

Dale McKie of Charlottetown leased his environmentally-friendly car a couple of years ago, earning rebates introduced in 2007 that were at the time considered amongst the most generous in the country.

The PST rebate brought down his payments by 10 per cent.

With the introduction of the HST on April 1 that rebate is gone, and McKie's monthly payments will go up.

"If you offer an incentive program I think you have to follow through and at least complete the contracts that you have existing," said McKie.

"I was very disappointed when it was cancelled, for financial reasons, and just disappointed in general that the government that was working hard to take a green stance on Prince Edward Island has suddenly reversed it."

McKie says he contacted the provincial tax office and was told the program was a government incentive that could be cancelled or changed at any time.

Finance Minister Wes Sheridan said the province may look at other ways to encourage Islanders to drive environmentally-friendly cars.