Tax refund for biodiesel users

Michel Audet

In his latest budget, the outgoing Finance Minister of Quebec, Michel Audet, announced an incentive that will stimulate the use of biodiesel. The government will give a tax refund to all Quebecers who drive a vehicle that runs on pure biodiesel (not mixed with any other type of fuel at the time of purchase). A tax refund is still possible in the case of biodiesel mixed with another fuel, but suppliers will have to guarantee a minimum amount of biodiesel in the mix before selling it.

Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods, is Canada's leading rendering company and one of the main alternative fuel manufacturers. It operates six facilities across the country, including one in Sainte-Catherine, on the South shore of Montreal. This plant alone has a biodiesel production capacity of 35 million liters annually. Rothsay makes its biodiesel from animal fats, recycled cooking oil and restaurant grease. This "green" fuel reduces harmful greenhouse gases, smog-causing particles and acid-rain causing emissions. It can be used in every diesel engine on the market without any modification. The 35 million liters of biodiesel produced by the Sainte-Catherine plant translate into a 122,000-ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which is about the amount generated by 16,000 light trucks or 22,000 cars.
photo:Gouvernement du Québec