Drivers and homeowners in Manitoba will start paying the federal carbon tax in April next year.

"We are taking another big step in the fight against climate change," said Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr.

For provinces like Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan refusing to bring in the tax, Ottawa is imposing one on them.

That means an extra 4.4 cents per litre at the pump, ramping up to 11 cents in 2022.

Homeowners will fork over 3.9 cents per cubic metre more, rising to 9.8 cents in 2022.

The money will then be rebated back in those provinces come income tax time. Ottawa says the average person will receive more than they pay.

A family of four in Manitoba will get $339 in 2019. As the tax increases so will the rebate, $801 dollars in 2022.

Everyone outside of Winnipeg will receive 10 per cent on top of those amounts.

Ottawa says part of the carbon tax proceeds will go to Manitoba schools, universities, small businesses, hospitals and Indigenous communities. That portion amounts to $190 million over five years.

"Let me be very clear, the federal government will not keep one cent of this money," said Carr.

Environmental advocates say a carbon tax is a necessary first step to fight climate change by offering incentives to curb behavior and reduce emissions.

Kurt Hull from Climate Change Connection says people can choose to drive less and still take advantage of the rebate.

"You can still reduce the amount you pay into it even though you get a fixed amount back," said Hull.

Premier Brian Pallister cancelled his plan to levy a carbon tax two weeks ago, as well as income tax cuts that came along with it as an offset.

Still the premier believes the federal rebate strategy is flawed and won't address climate change.

"It's just taking money and giving it back, you know Liberals have been famous for distributing money and trying to get credit for it for a long, long time," said Pallister.

Ontario and Saskatchewan’s Conservative governments are taking Ottawa to court over the carbon tax while Pallister is considering joining their fight.

"While conservative governments are wasting time in court, we will reduce pollution across the country now," said Carr.