Carbon tax is constitutional says Saskatchewan court

But the legal battle is only just beginning as provincial premier vows to fight on

Carbon tax is constitutional says Saskatchewan court
Steve Randall

The Trudeau government won a carbon tax battle on Friday, but the war is set to continue.

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled that the federal government’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act does not violate the constitution. But it was a split decision with 3 in favour and 2 against.

“This is an important and welcome decision in the urgent fight against climate change, which we know is costing Canadians and the world billions of dollars and putting lives at risk,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna. “A majority of the Court agreed that a price on carbon pollution is an essential part of the global effort to limit greenhouse gas emissions. It will also ensure Canadians are better off.”

But opponents vowed to continue to try to overturn the carbon tax with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe promising to fight it “in the courts and at the ballot box.” He believes that the issue will be a decider in the election this fall.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses continues to urge the government to scrap the tax and work on alternatives, saying that small businesses are unfairly burdened.

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