Those that represent Saskatchewan鈥檚 farmers and businesses are disappointed with the Supreme Court of Canada deciding the carbon tax is constitutional because they say the tax causes hardship on its members.
鈥淭here is a better way forward,鈥� said Steve McLellan, the CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. 鈥淭he federal government鈥檚 pan-Canadian approach to pollution pricing has not recognized the unique challenges present in Saskatchewan, putting undue hardship on our residents and businesses. It is unfortunate that they will continue this approach.鈥�
Todd Lewis, the president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), said they are concerned about the carbon tax鈥檚 impact on producers鈥� financial sustainability.
鈥淎s producers, we don鈥檛 set the prices for our products, and can鈥檛 pass those extra costs along the value chain, so it comes right out of our pockets.鈥�
APAS has estimated the cost of producing an acre of wheat will increase by $12.50 by the time the carbon tax is fully implemented in 2030. These cost increases will include trucking, rail freight and grain drying.
The Chamber said it supports a policy where innovation is championed, and where recognition is given to the fact that some speci铿乧 regions and economic segments have a larger challenge before them.
鈥淒riving corporate investments and production to jurisdictions where greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not regulated does not help mitigate the impact of global climate change, the Saskatchewan people, nor the Canadian economy,鈥� McLellan said.
鈥淲e really need climate change policy where emission intensive and trade-exposed industries, the foundation of Saskatchewan鈥檚 economy, are not penalized by one-size 铿乼s all carbon pricing. Many of these industries have made substantial world-leading improvements in environmental performance.鈥�
APAS said it is now up to the federal government to address the concerns of producers.
鈥淭he Court has upheld the federal government鈥檚 jurisdiction, and now the government must act to resolve the outstanding issues faced by our industry.鈥�
