The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has upheld the federal government’s constitutional authority to impose a carbon tax on provinces, like Saskatchewan, that don't have carbon pricing.
"The majority of the Court is of the opinion that the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act is not unconstitutional in whole or in part,” the court said in a ruling published Friday, May 3. “The minority of the Court is of the opinion that the Act is wholly unconstitutional."
“Today’s decision paves the way for a strong, fair and unified approach to tackling climate change across the country,” Ian Bruce, science and policy director for the David Suzuki Foundation, said in a press release. “Recent reports on Canada’s warming and extreme weather show we must urgently use all the tools in our tool box to shrink harmful carbon pollution and set Canada on the right path forward.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe immediately responded to the ruling with a vow to appeal it to the Supreme Court.
He will have four other provinces supporting his appeal. Alberta’s new premier, Jason Kenney, and the premiers of Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick are also joining Saskatchewan in its fight against a federal carbon tax.
