Saskatchewan gas prices remain sky high and Federal Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson spoke to the Regina Chamber of Commerce about the carbon tax..Wilkinson said people do not understand how the carbon tax works if they think a carbon tax freeze would help fuel prices..“Here in Saskatchewan, the carbon price is refunded through a rebate to all citizens,” said Wilkinson..“It actually works in a manner that people of more modest incomes get more than they pay. So if you get rid of the carbon tax, you end up actually making the affordability issue worse.”.Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Federal Director Franco Terrazzano accused the Trudeau government of using “magic math” to show Saskatchewan families are better off with the carbon tax..“Families are still paying hundreds of dollars in carbon taxes every year even with the rebates,” said Terrazzano. .“The Trudeau government claims families will be better off, but the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s (PBO) numbers show the government is using magic math because the carbon tax will cost the average Saskatchewan family $390 this year, even with rebates.”.The PBO's report showed Trudeau’s claim “families are going to be better off” with the carbon tax and rebate was false..The average Saskatchewan family will pay $1,561 this year and get $1,172 back in carbon tax rebates. .According to the PBO, Saskatchewan families pay $390 more in carbon taxes than they will receive in rebates..By 2030, the carbon tax will be almost 40 cents per litre of gas..The federal government charges both a sales tax and fuel excise tax on gasoline, which costs Saskatchewan drivers 29 cents per litre..A second carbon tax is coming through new fuel regulations beginning in 2023, which adds another 13 cents per litre and there are no rebates for the new carbon tax..Robin Speer, CTF Prairie director, said the Trudeau government needs to follow other countries and provide some relief at the pumps..“The Trudeau government continues to increase federal gas taxes when Saskatchewan families and businesses need relief from these painful prices at the pump,” said Speer. .“Trudeau should follow the lead of other world leaders and provide immediate relief by cutting this big gas tax bill.”.When asked how the federal government can make life more affordable, Wilkinson said it had acted and will consider future actions if necessary..“Of course, we are concerned about affordability. We have acted and we are looking at acting further,” said Wilkinson..Saskatchewan NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck wants the political games to end between the federal and Saskatchewan governments about the carbon tax and address the cost-of-living crisis affecting Saskatchewanians..“People are tired of these political games. They want adults in the room. All levels of government should be working together to address this generational cost-of-living crisis,” Beck told the Western Standard..“Instead, we’ve got federal and provincial politicians take shots at each other through the media and a provincial government that raised taxes, utilities, and fees. Enough is enough. It’s time to get to the table to provide some real solutions on how we can provide affordability relief to the people of Saskatchewan.”.The Saskatchewan government blamed the federal government for the rising costs and has stepped up and helped drivers with a $100 rebate..“Inflationary pressure is affecting the entire country. Inflation and energy costs are being exacerbated by the lack of pipelines and the federal carbon tax,” said a government spokesperson to the Western Standard..“This spring, the Government of Saskatchewan announced rebates of $100 to help Saskatchewan drivers facing higher fuel costs, for an approximate total of $95 million.”.The government of Saskatchewan will review what options it has available to help Saskatchewanians later this year if revenues stay high..“As we move through the current fiscal year, we continue to monitor the province’s revenues and inflation. Should our revenues remain strong, they will be reviewed with a mix of options that would benefit all Saskatchewan people,” said the spokesperson.
