After reviewing the recent split decision of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, Alberta has thrown its support behind Saskatchewan in its appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.
“We are proud to stand together with Saskatchewan to fight the federal carbon tax,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney.“The federal government’s scheme punishes Albertans for heating their homes and driving to work. There is a better way to reduce emissions than this impractical and unconstitutional tax grab.”
The Government of Alberta’s first piece of legislation repealed the provincial carbon tax. The province will introduce a levy on major industrial emissions, “as it is our constitutional right to make policy choices within our own jurisdiction.”
“The split decision at the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal was not a broad victory and raised significant questions about federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction,” stated Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General for Alberta. “One of the underlying principles of our federation is the right of the provinces to manage their own affairs. Imposing a one-size-fits-all federal carbon tax disrupts this constitutional balance and ignores provincial authority to legislate in ways that reflect local conditions and circumstances.”
