Sask. continues carbon tax battle

The Supreme Court of Canada heard the carbon tax reference case Sept. 22 and 23

The controversial carbon tax was front and centre Sept. 22 and 23 at the Supreme Court of Canada.

The province of Saskatchewan argued the carbon tax reference case to the court to settle the issue of the constitutionality of the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, stated a Government of Saskatchewan release.

“Saskatchewan is confident in the case that it put forward, particularly in light of the Alberta Court of Appeal’s ruling on the same grounds that we are arguing,” Don Morgan said in an email statement to Farms.com. He is Queen’s Counsel and minister of justice and attorney general.

In February, the Court of Appeal of Alberta ruled the federal carbon tax is unconstitutional in a 4-1 majority decision. However, a ruling from the Supreme Court will be the ultimate decision.

The federal government’s carbon tax only affects certain provinces. The enactment of the federal regulations depends on how the provinces use their strategies to reduce carbon emissions and the effects of climate change, stated the release.

“We feel strongly that this is a significant overreach by the federal government and we have put forward strong arguments that support our position that the federal government does not have the right to override provincial authority in regards to climate change policy,” Morgan said in the statement.

The province’s representatives argued in court that the Made-in-Saskatchewan 2020 Climate Resilience Report shows how the province will tackle climate change.

“Saskatchewan has a strong climate change plan that takes significant steps to mitigate the effects of climate change without creating additional costs for Saskatchewan taxpayers and businesses,” said Morgan.

The Supreme Court could take anywhere from six to 12 months to release its decision on this case.

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