Saskatchewan not paying federal carbon price is ‘immoral’: Guilbeault

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is calling the Saskatchewan government’s decision not to pay the federal carbon price “immoral.”

The minister says it’s one thing to disagree on policy, but another to “start breaking federal laws.”

“If Premier Scott Moe decides he wants to start breaking federal laws then measures will be taken. We can’t let that happen. What if tomorrow someone decides they want to break other laws, criminal laws? What would happen then?” Guilbeault said at a press conference in Montreal on Monday.

“It’s irresponsible and frankly immoral on his part. We can have disagreement about things like climate change, but to be so reckless is unspeakable really.”

On Feb. 28, the Saskatchewan government announced it would not remit what is owed on home heating bills from the Crown corporation SaskEnergy to the CRA.

The province already said it planned to stop collecting the carbon price on home heating bills in response to the three-year pause of that same levy for home heating oil. While the measure applies nationally, its been criticized for disproportionately benefitting Atlantic Canada.

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the pause in late October, he was flanked by members of the Liberal’s Atlantic caucus.

The federal pause includes plans to work with the provinces to develop programs to help subsidize the switch to heat pumps for homes on heating oil.

Speaking with Global News at a nuclear energy conference in Ottawa on Feb. 29, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for SaskEnergy Dustin Duncan, said it’s a matter of fairness.

“Ultimately, the prime minister can in our view do the right thing and just extend the exemption to the rest of the country for the three years. That’s all we’re asking for. We’re