What happens to rebate cheques if Sask. stops collecting carbon tax?
Despite the provincial government no longer collecting carbon tax on home heating bills, it still has not been decided whether or not the province will pay the tax on natural gas for January out of its own pocket.
It’s a decision that will be made in the coming weeks, but many residents still wonder what will happen to their rebate cheques.
“Obviously some people are concerned that if the provincial government goes through with this plan we might lose the rebates, but in reality even with the rebates according to the parliamentary budget officer, Saskatchewan families are already paying more in carbon tax than they are getting back in rebates,” Gage Haubrich, the prairie director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said.
“The amounts families can expect to receive in pollution pricing rebates is based on the projected proceeds in their province for the upcoming year,” Katherine Cuplinskas, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance said in a statement.
“We are talking about three to four hundred dollars a year per SaskEnergy client so per household if you’d like. That makes a big difference and at particularly at a time when everything has gotten to be more expensive and the number of people are really struggling to make ends meet,” said Jason Childs an associate professor of economics at the University of Regina.
“People in Saskatchewan continue to pay the punitive carbon tax on every item aside from home heating, and we continue to call on the Trudeau government to scrap the carbon tax on everything for everyone,” the provincial government said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Ottawa has not yet announced what the pollution rebates will be for 2024-25.
“The end goal is either to save the environment or to achieve fairness,” Childs said.
If Saskatchewan chooses to remit the funds, they will come from the General Revenue Fund or existing SaskEnergy funds.
If the company does not pay, that would be breaking federal law. MLA Dustin Duncan previously said he would be on the hook for the failed payments as he is the minister responsible for all major crown corporations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company. The offer of $2.50 per share comes from Trilogy Retail Holdings Inc. and Trilogy Investments L.P., which have a 56 per cent stake in Indigo and are owned by Gerald Schwartz, the spouse of Indigo chief executive Heather Reisman.
Latest deadly weather in U.S. kills at least 20 as storms carve path of ruin across multiple states
Powerful storms killed at least 20 people, injured hundreds and left a wide trail of destruction across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where dozens sought shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
What Canadian grocery shoppers need to know about anticompetitive allegations
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
North Korea launched a rocket likely carrying a second spy satellite. It's unclear if successful
North Korea launched a rocket likely carrying its second military spy satellite on Monday night, hours after its announcement of a plan to put a satellite into orbit drew strong rebukes from its neighbours.
She developed a passion for genealogy while finding her roots. Now she helps others find their own
Lauren Robilliard always knew she was adopted. As the B.C. native grew older, she developed a passion for genealogy, tracing her roots and paving the way for a career to help others find their own.
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor fatally shot in Los Angeles
Former 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor was fatally shot in downtown Los Angeles while interrupting thieves Saturday, according to his agent and CNN affiliate KABC.
Israeli attack on Rafah tent camp kills 45, prompts global outcry
An Israeli airstrike triggered a massive blaze killing 45 people in a tent camp in the Gaza city of Rafah, officials said on Monday, prompting an outcry from global leaders who urged the implementation of a World Court ruling to halt Israel's assault.
A cross-country look at beer and wine in convenience stores
By Labour Day weekend, Ontarians of legal drinking age could snag a six-pack at their local convenience store on the way to the cottage. But what are alcohol sales like across the country? Here's what we know.