Premier Moe defends Sask. carbon tax court challenge

The Saskatchewan government looks forward to its court challenge against the carbon tax after the federal government submitted it’s reasoning in defence of putting a price on pollution.

In written arguments filed this week, Ottawa argued it has the power to impose a carbon tax on Saskatchewan because climate change is of national concern.

Premier Scott Moe believes that will be a losing argument.

“The case that we’ve put forward stands,” Moe said. “We feel we’ll be successful in that case, that’s why we put it forward in the first place.”

Saskatchewan argues it would be unconstitutional for Ottawa to impose a tax on specific provinces and, in this case, on Crown corporations like SaskPower and SaskEnergy.

“We feel we’ve put forward a case where there has not been cases or precedent set previously and we feel we’ll be successful,” Moe said.

In the factum, the federal government points to Saskatchewan, saying a failure by one province to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will hurt the rest of the country.

On Wednesday, the day after the Saskatchewan Party introduced its own climate change legislation, Moe said Saskatchewan is playing a very big role in this issue.

“I don’t understand what hurting the rest of the country would mean. We are very much engaged in the conversation around climate change and emissions,” Moe said.

The premier said he’s pleased the Trudeau government has put forward it’s factum so the case can go to the courts.

The challenge likely won’t be heard until after the carbon tax is imposed on January 1.

Moe continues to push the Liberals to hold off on imposing a carbon tax until the matter is resolved in court.