FILE PHOTO: The processing facility at the Suncor oil sands operations near Fort McMurray, Alberta, September 17, 2014.
On Thursday, the Liberal government proposed a 2% tax on buybacks to encourage companies to reinvest in their workers and business.
The tax will generate an estimated C$2.1 billion ($1.6 billion) over five years and take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.
Canada’s four largest producers - Canadian Natural Resources Ltd, Cenovus Energy, Suncor Energy and Imperial Oil - spent C$15.8 billion combined on buybacks in 2022’s first three quarters, according to Tudor Pickering Holt (TPH).
The tax may not deter oil companies’ buyback intentions anyway, said Eight Capital analyst Phil Skolnick, who covers the sector.