By Jaryn Vecchio

Sask. government’s fight over carbon tax receiving support from farmers

Mar 5, 2024 | 2:06 PM

Saskatchewan farmers are supporting their provincial government in its fight with the feds over the carbon tax.

The province refuses to hand over money it’s collected from natural gas, claiming they’re being fair to those who use it to heat their homes since the Liberals have chosen to exempt heating oil from the levy.

The federal government claims they will stop providing rebates to people in the province if they don’t send the money.

Kerry Peterson, a Shellbrook area farmer, told farmnewsNOW people who need the rebates should be angry at the feds, not the province.

“The amount of carbon tax that [Saskatchewan] is withholding is a small percentage of what we’re paying, so I think for the federal government to hold back everybody’s carbon tax rebate is pretty heavy-handed.”

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Peterson added the savings he’ll get from having the tax lifted are more than what he was set to get in rebates.

“The carbon tax is equal to the actual cost of the natural gas, so I don’t know how anyone can tell us it’s just a small portion when it isn’t.”

His thoughts were shared by Bob Reid, who farms in the Smeaton area. He said he would like to see the province up its fight to remove the tax on everything.

“Fight with them every step of the way, right to the Supreme Court of Canada, and if it ain’t enough take him to the United States Supreme Court.”

Reid and Peterson both explained they aren’t against protecting the environment. In their opinion, they don’t believe the carbon tax is doing anything positive.

“I’m still driving the same semi; I’m still burning the same diesel fuel… I’m just paying more for it,” said Reid.

Meanwhile, Peterson hopes farmers will rally against the carbon tax just like what’s happening across Europe.

Farmers have been protesting in different countries over multiple issues. This includes foreign competition, poor wages, and environmental regulations impacting their operations.

“Would [protesting] happen here], I don’t know but I hope so,” said Peterson.

He explained these farmers are speaking up and fighting for their livelihoods, something he admires.

–With files from The Associated Press

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @princealbertnow