With the Supreme Court of Canada deciding the carbon tax is constitutional, the Saskatchewan New Democrats are calling on the province to negotiate a better deal with the federal government.
“This economy-wide price on carbon is not something that Saskatchewan people, or the Saskatchewan NDP support,” said NDP leader Ryan Meili in a statement. “[Premier] Scott Moe chose to maintain the Trudeau carbon tax for two whole years instead of trying to negotiate a better deal.”
The NDP said topics for negotiation should include exempting fuel used for grain drying, exploring all options to limit costs for families and ensuring rebates leave regular families with more money in their pockets than they pay in carbon tax.
“The federal government must press pause on its plans to dramatically increase the carbon tax, especially while so many families across the country – not just in Saskatchewan – are struggling coming through the pandemic,” Meili said. “Now is not the time to increase costs on working families.”
The carbon tax is the key initiative in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s fight against climate change. By 2030, that carbon tax is supposed to rise to $170 per tonne of CO2 equivalent, after having been introduced at $20 per tonne.
The NDP leader said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must acknowledge that the carbon tax disproportionately affects the Saskatchewan economy. Because of that, the federal government has a responsibility to make dedicated investments that will support workers in hard hit industries and help to create sustainable jobs in renewable energy.
“It’s time for Justin Trudeau and Scott Moe to put wrangling aside and get to work – together – on real solutions across the board that will ensure good jobs and prosperity for all of us.”
Written with files from Brian Zinchuk, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Estevan Mercury
