Scott Moe: Canada Should Remove Gas Heating Carbon Tax

Following the federal government’s announcement to stop carbon pricing for oil heating for three years, Premier of Saskatchewan Scott Moe declared that his government would remove the tax on natural gas heating.

“Today I am calling on the federal government to offer the same carbon tax exemption to Saskatchewan families by extending it to all forms of home heating, not just heating oil. It’s only fair to other Saskatchewan and Canadian families,” said the Premier in a statement.

“Hopefully, that exemption will be provided soon. But if not, effective Jan. 1, SaskEnergy will stop collecting and submitting the carbon tax on natural gas – effectively providing Saskatchewan residents with the very same exemption that the federal government is giving heating oil in Atlantic Canada.”

Last Friday, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, declared a three-year suspension on oil heating in rural areas where it is the only available alternative.

“If you live in a rural community, you don’t have the same options that people who live in cities do. We get that,” said Trudeau. “So, this is more money in your pocket to recognize those realities, even as we continue to fight climate change.”

While natural gas heating is more common in the rest of Canada, oil heating is more prevalent in Atlantic Canada.

Following Trudeau’s declaration that the federal charges on oil heating would be suspended, several premiers demanded that he do the same in their provinces for homes heated with natural gas.

“The federal government may say that’s illegal and that you simply cannot choose to collect and pay your tax. In most cases I would agree with that,” stated Scott Moe. “But it’s the federal government that’s created two classes of taxpayer by providing an exemption for heating oil – an exemption that really only applies in one part of the country and effectively excludes Saskatchewan”

He claimed that an exemption for oil but not gas was discriminatory to Saskatchewan residents.

”As premier, it’s my job to ensure Saskatchewan residents are treated fairly and equally with our fellow Canadians in other parts of the country,” he added. “And that’s what I’m doing today.”