Despite the Prairie Resilience Plan put forth by the Government of Saskatchewan, the federally imposed carbon tax is currently set to make its way into Saskatchewan early in 2019.

The climate strategy released by the Government of Saskatchewan, outlines five-areas which is aimed to make the province more resilient to the changes happening within the climate, as well as the economic and policy impacts of climate change. The provincial government has often stated that the federally designed carbon tax is not a fit for Saskatchewan as the logistics, layout and industry sectors are different and changes should be structured to the province specifically, not a blanket plan.

Bronwyn Eyre, Minister of Energy and Resources, stated that it has been frustrating as the federal government has failed to recognize the Prairie Resilience strategy as a plan and as such has deemed Saskatchewan to be included in the federally imposed carbon tax in 2019.

The federal carbon tax will be applied to fuels this upcoming April and in Saskatchewan will raise prices at the pumps by 4.42 cents which is set to increase approximately 2 cents per year before reaching an 11.05 cent increase by April 2022. 21 other fuels are also set to be taxed, including natural gas, which for Saskatchewan will increase by 3.91 cents per cubic metre this April. The full list of fuels and increases can be found here.

Upon announcing the initiation of carbon tax in Saskatchewan, the federal government stated that residents will receive incentive payments. On Canada.ca it states, “Under the proposed approach, most of the proceeds the federal government collects from Saskatchewan through the fuel charge will be returned directly to Saskatchewan individuals and families through Climate Action Incentive payments.” This statement and others made signifying that residents will get a cheque back for the extra money they spend on carbon tax, has left many, including Eyre puzzled, asking the question, why impose it in the first place if it is simply going to be refunded.

Much like Bill C-69, there are unanswered questions and the ramifications, if either, or both are passed, will be felt by all across the province.

However, Saskatchewan said they are not backing down and have publicly been in opposition of both Bill C-69 and the carbon tax. Eyre said the goal with C-69 was to get it deferred, delayed or thrown out all together, to show the Senate what impact the legislation would have on everyone within the province.

The fight for Saskatchewan doesn’t end with C-69, the province has filed a constitutional challenge against the tax, stating the federal government does not have the right or authority to impose the tax across the provinces.

Eyre said much like C-69, there is power in numbers and the more the province can be heard by those who call Saskatchewan home, the more impact their fight against the federally imposed carbon tax can have.

Eyre will be in court opposing the federal carbon pricing plan February 13-14, 2019.

Residents wishing to voice their concerns regarding the carbon tax can email Minister Eyre at ministerer@gov.sk.ca.

The Government of Saskatchewan’s Prairie Resilience climate change strategy can be found here.
The Government of Canada’s carbon pricing plan can be found here.