Saskatchewan introduces bill on withholding carbon tax on natural gas | CityNews Calgary

The Saskatchewan authorities has launched laws that it says would allow it to cease remitting the federal carbon tax on pure gasoline payments whereas offering authorized safety for these at its power Crown company.

The Saskatchewan Party authorities introduced final month that SaskEnergy would cease remitting the carbon tax on pure gasoline on Jan. 1 in response to Ottawa’s determination to pause the tax on dwelling heating oil.

The federal transfer largely helps these in Atlantic provinces, the place it’s a principal supply for dwelling heating, and Saskatchewan and different provinces have stated it’s unfair pure gasoline hasn’t been handled equally.

The invoice launched within the legislature on Thursday would designate the province as the only real registered distributor of pure gasoline in Saskatchewan.

It says it will defend the Crown company, all of its present and former administrators, officers, workers and different associates from authorized penalties of not remitting the tax.

Federal regulation says firms that fail to remit the carbon tax may face steep fines, and its executives may additionally get jail time.

“I think what we’ve tried to do is provide as much assurance as we can,” Dustin Duncan, the minister accountable for SaskEnergy, stated in regards to the invoice.

“This will be the government that will be making the decision in the event that we get to the point of not remitting the carbon tax.”

He stated he’s employed private authorized counsel over the matter and it’s anticipated the province will cowl the price of his attorneys.

Duncan beforehand stated he’s prepared to go to “carbon jail” for not remitting the tax.

Donna Harpauer, the province’s deputy premier, has spoken with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in regards to the situation, stated Duncan.

“At this point, all indications are that there weren’t going to be any more carve outs, but we’re hopeful that will change,” he stated.

The federal authorities didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The Saskatchewan authorities says eradicating the federal carbon tax from SaskEnergy payments would save the typical household within the province $400 subsequent 12 months.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed on Nov. 16, 2023.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A earlier model stated the invoice would designate SaskEnergy as the only real distributor.