CRA to audit Sask. for not paying carbon levies on home heating
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is going to audit Saskatchewan for not paying carbon levies on home heating, Premier Scott Moe said Monday.
Moe said the agency has indicated it will look at Saskatchewan's books to see how much the province owes in levies that weren't paid to Ottawa.
"They will ask if they can look at the submissions we've made and for us to submit money they estimate may be owed," he told reporters.
"We don't believe there's any dollars that are owed."
The Saskatchewan Party government decided earlier this year to not remit the federal carbon price on natural gas, a move that breaks federal law.
Moe invoked the measure after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau exempted users of home heating oil from having to pay the levy in a move largely seen as politically motivated to boost Liberal support in Atlantic Canada.
The Canada Revenue Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trudeau said last week the agency is "very, very good" at getting money owed and wished Moe "good luck" in dealing with the agency.
Moe said it's unfair for other forms of heating not to be exempt.
"We think the federal government could actually take another step and make this whole policy decision more fair to more Canadian families," he said.
Moe said the agency could face problems collecting the money, as Ottawa may have to change legislation to get it.
He pointed to a section of the federal budget that says Ottawa is proposing changes to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Act. The changes would allow federal officials to share information with one another about provinces that aren't paying carbon levies.
Information would be shared "for the purposes of evaluating potential action," it says.
Trudeau has defended his decision to exempt home-heating oil users, saying it's more expensive than natural gas. He has ruled out offering exemptions to other users.
Most Canadians get more in rebates than what they pay, Trudeau has said.
He has also said Saskatchewan residents will continue to get rebates, even though the province isn't paying.
Moe said Saskatchewan residents can do whatever they want with their carbon rebates.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.