From: brewnoser2@gmail.com   
      
   BC's 'Liberals' will soon be *paying*foreign investors to remove our LNG   
   Just two years to the next provincial election, people . . . .   
   ______________________________   
   CBC News Posted: Oct 21, 2014   
      
      
   Opposition terms move a 'dramatic climb down'   
      
   The tax framework for B.C. LNG was announced Tuesday, with rates lower than   
   those tabled in February's budget.   
      
   Finance Minister Mike de Jong said the tax rate will start at 1.5 per cent and   
   remain at that level while LNG (liquefied natural gas) plants are operating at   
   a loss and capital investments are being recouped.   
      
   The rate will rise to 3.5 per cent after four years, where it will remain for   
   another 20 years, when a final rate increase to five per cent will be   
   instituted in 2037.   
      
   In February's budget, de Jong had tabled a two-tiered tax starting at 1.5 per   
   cent for the first three years, eventually rising to seven per cent after five   
   years.   
      
   Changes to the market since the budget are being blamed for the revised rate,   
   with the province admitting that the declining price for LNG and increased   
   construction costs mean reduced returns for investors.    
      
   This means, de Jong said, a significant reduction in projected revenue for the   
   province. Under the original seven per cent tax regime, the province says a   
   medium-sized LNG facility would have brought in $1.5 billion in tax revenue   
   over 10 years.   
      
   Under today's revised bill, that number would only be $800 million.   
      
   De Jong says "developing a tax framework for a promising new industry has been   
   a complex process. We believe this overall framework strikes the right balance   
   between a competitive economic environment and a fair return to British   
   Columbians."   
      
   In an attempt to encourage investment, there will also be a new B.C. corporate   
   income tax credit. It will reduce the provincial corporate income tax rate   
   from 11 per cent to as low as eight per cent. The province says this framework   
   is competitive with    
   other jurisdictions, including the U.S. and Australia.   
   'Dramatic climb down'   
      
   NDP energy critic Bruce Ralston said the government were engaged in a   
   "dramatic climb down" that did not, he said, guarantee the companies   
   interested in building LNG plants would now move forward.   
      
   "Clearly, the government went in with a weak bargaining position.  We'll see   
   if they've backed down enough to satisfy the companies that are pressing them."   
      
   He said that the NDP embrace the LNG industry in B.C. under certain conditions.   
      
   "I'm not sure if this constitutes a fair revenue return for British Columbia,"   
   he said. "We keep bumping down and down and down."   
      
      
   Decision still to be made   
      
   Potential investors had been waiting on this tax announcement, expecting it to   
   play a big role in determining whether B.C. LNG projects will go ahead.   
      
   There are currently 17 proposed terminals in the province by various investors   
   but none have been given final board approval.   
      
   David Keane, president of the B.C. LNG Alliance, which represents seven of the   
   companies proposing plants around the province, welcomed the government   
   revisiting the tax structure, with a caveat.   
      
   "I would caution, however, that this is only one piece in the overall fiscal   
   structure in which we are operating," he said. "We operate in a global   
   environment. We have to be competitive with other jurisdictions like the U.S.,   
   Australia, East Africa and    
   Russia."   
      
   The CEO of one of the largest potential investors, Petronas, had threatened to   
   halt his company's plans for a multi-billion-dollar facility if the tax regime   
   is not favourable.   
      
   The new tax will apply to LNG for both domestic and foreign markets, and to   
   the net income from the liquefaction of natural gas in the province. It is not   
   a royalty or export tax.   
      
   The legislation is expected to pass by the end of November.   
   By the numbers   
      
       Initial LNG tax rate: 1.5 per cent while capital investment is being   
   deducted.   
       Tax at the 1.5 per cent rate is creditable against the higher tax rate.   
       Tax rate on net income: 3.5 per cent once capital investments is deducted.   
   ==> Tax rate will increase to five per cent in 2037.   
   ==> Income tax credit reduces B.C. corporate income tax rate to eight per cent   
   (from current 11 per cent).   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)