All parties unify behind NDP carbon tax motion
All parties unify behind an NDP motion supporting the government refusing to collect carbon tax on natural gas Jan. 1 unless the feds shape up
By Brian Zinchuk
Members from all parties in the Saskatchewan Legislature unanimously approved a motion, brought forward by the NDP, to “scrap the carbon tax on everything for everyone.” And if the federal government refuses to scrap the carbon tax, that all forms of home heating across Canada be exempt from the carbon tax” the motion said the Government of Saskatchewan will to not collect and remit the carbon tax on bills beginning January 1st, 2024.
The motion, after an amendment from the government, passed 52-0.
It was a rare moment of unanimity, supporting a plan which the premier earlier in the day admitted could be “illegal.” But Saskatchewan is going ahead, nonetheless.
In Question Period, New Democratic Leader and Leader of the Opposition Carla Beck asked Saskatchewan Party Premier Scott Moe about what the government was doing cost-of-living and affordability for Saskatchewan residents. Moe replied, “I would say the largest affordability measure that we would be able to see over the course of the last while would be an extension of the federal government’s carbon tax abatement that is today focused primarily in Atlantic Canada, to extend that to all home heating sources, including natural gas which is predominantly used in Saskatchewan.”
Beck said, “It’s extraordinary, but we found some agreements between the two sides of the House. Clearly, clearly what the federal government is doing isn’t fair. It’s not fair to allow the exemption in some parts of Canada but not extend that to the West. In fact, I’d say it’s extraordinarily unfair, and directing SaskEnergy to not collect the federal carbon tax is an extraordinary but justified measure if a deal to restore fairness can’t be found. But, it’s clear that the people of this province can’t wait until January 1st for relief. They need relief today. So when will the Premier roll back some of the measures that he’s imposed on Saskatchewan people to offer that relief today?”
Moe replied that SaskEnergy has already applied an 8 per cent reduction in natural gas bills.
He added, “When it comes to the federal government’s unfair policy favouring families in Atlantic Canada, and not by any stretch favouring families with a policy that I would say . . . that’s a carbon tax policy that we have always said is the wrong policy, but at least in years gone by was enacted fairly. Today it’s still the wrong policy. It isn’t being enacted fairly today.
“And so we would say three things with respect to that. First, still our belief that the federal government should scrap the carbon tax for everyone on everything. That’s priority number one. Second is they should extend their pause to all forms of heating. And if not, SaskEnergy is going to quit collecting the federal carbon tax come January the 1st.”
Beck pressed for some sort of fiscal relief, asking, “What is his plan to get a deal that offers the same relief to people here in Saskatchewan?”
Moe said, “Well I’m pretty sure the people of this province, their voice is being heard and heard well today with respect to ensuring that federal government, propped up by the NDP, Mr. Speaker, the federal government is fully aware that we believe that this carbon tax scheme that they have enacted, of which we have never agreed with, is removed for everyone on everything. That’s priority one — remove this carbon tax scheme, this Trudeau carbon tax scheme that is supported by the NDP.”
Referring to the federal NDP, Moe said, “If there was ever a reason, if there was ever a reason to write your federal leader and say, remove our party from this confidence and supply agreement that you have signed, today is that day. Will the Leader of the Opposition do that? Read the full story on www.pipelineonline.ca.