The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced new legislation to shield families from the rising federal carbon tax on home heating. The SaskEnergy (Carbon Tax Fairness for Families) Amendment Act 2024, was tabled Tuesday by Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Jeremy Harrison as part of the government’s post-election promise to keep home heating affordable.“Our government is protecting Saskatchewan families’ ability to affordably heat their homes this winter and ensuring fairness for those same families who were left out in the cold by the Prime Minister’s decision to exempt the carbon tax from home heating oil,” said Harrison. “Our government will keep fighting until the carbon tax is removed everywhere, on everything, for everyone.”.Saskatchewan faces $743.5 million deficit, agricultural ‘challenges’ push deficit up.The announcement comes in direct response to a federal move earlier this year to eliminate the carbon tax on home heating oil, a change that largely benefits Atlantic Canada. Saskatchewan countered by removing the carbon tax on home heating altogether, beginning January 1, 2024.The exemption is projected to save the average Saskatchewan family approximately $400 this year and an even greater amount — $480 — in 2025, due to an anticipated increase in the carbon tax rate from $80 to $95 per tonne in April 2025.The new bill ensures this exemption continues by amending both The SaskEnergy Act and the 2023 Carbon Tax Fairness for Families Amendment Act..OLDCORN: Western Standard is not ‘alt-right,’ despite woke columnist’s accusations.It repeals a sunset clause scheduled to take effect in December 2024, allowing the Government of Saskatchewan to remain the sole registered distributor of natural gas under the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.By extending this policy, the government aims to provide long-term relief for families and businesses facing rising energy costs while continuing its push for broader carbon tax reforms at the federal level.
