The Saskatchewan government signaled its commitment to defending its provincial autonomy and economic interests by opposing federal clean fuel and electricity regulations in its latest speech from the throne this week.
During the Oct. 25 speech, Lieutenant-Governor Russ Mirasty conveyed the province’s intention to use the Saskatchewan First Act to challenge the federal government on various climate change initiatives.
“Incredibly, one of the biggest threats to Saskatchewan’s economy is our own federal government. The federal carbon tax increases the cost of everything we produce, manufacture, transport to market, and buy,” said Mirasty.
“The federal Clean Electricity Standards and net-zero emissions targets are unrealistic and unaffordable.”
The Saskatchewan First Act, enacted a year ago, empowers the province to protect its economic potential and provincial autonomy from perceived federal government overreach.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe argued that the federal Clean Fuel Standard regulations and the proposed oil and gas emissions cap represent a direct assault on the province’s resource sector.
According to Moe’s government, the policies will lead to job losses and damage the industry’s reputation.
The throne speech is delivered by a province’s lieutenant-governor at the beginning of a legislative session, though it is the government that sets the agenda and writes the speech.
“Last session, my government passed the Saskatchewan First Act to defend Saskatchewan’s economic potential and provincial autonomy from federal government overreach,” said Mirasty in the speech.
“During this session, my government will take the next step to defend our economy and autonomy by using The Saskatchewan First Act to refer the federal Clean Electricity Regulations, the Clean Fuel Standard regulations and the oil and gas emissions cap to the Economic Impact Assessment Tribunal.”
Additionally, Mirasty cited the recent decision by the Supreme Court of Canada which found that the Trudeau government’s Impact Assessment Act was largely unconstitutional.
“In light of this ruling, my government is calling on the federal government to rethink the many other areas where it is overstepping its constitutional competence, like electrical generation and oil and gas production,” said Mirasty.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a three-year freeze on the carbon tax for home heating oil, providing some relief for rural Canadians. Additionally, the rural supplement to the carbon tax rebate will be doubled to support those in remote areas.
