Saskatchewan will be arguing its carbon tax reference case before the Supreme Court on Tuesday and Wednesday. The province is requesting the Supreme Court settle the issue of the constitutionality of the federal carbon tax.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan told reporters on Monday that the Saskatchewan government feels the carbon tax is not the right tool to reduce carbon emissions in the province.

Morgan said they want to look at other options and have called on the federal government to put a pause on the carbon tax until after there is a ruling from the Supreme Court. He added issues of climate change are incredibly important and have to be dealt with, and the province wants to sit down with the federal government and find good methods of doing that.

Morgan suggested these steps are critically important for many in the province including people working in potash mining, farming or trucking. He continued by saying the province is asking the Supreme Court to look at the case carefully and make a decision that will uphold the delicate balance between federal and provincial rights.

Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said Saskatchewan needs a federal climate policy that makes the environment, economies and communities more resilient to the effects of climate change, not more vulnerable.

Duncan added that the province can respond to climate change successfully by creating a sustainable transition that benefits Saskatchewan’s families and businesses.

(CJWW)