REGINA, SK: Today the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) unveiled an electronic billboard ad calling on Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall to keep fighting the federal government’s proposed carbon tax. The billboard is on the corner of Albert Street and Saskatchewan Drive in Regina.

“Carbon taxes will hurt our economy, but they won’t help the environment, so we’re calling on Premier Wall to keep fighting the federal carbon tax,” said Todd MacKay, Prairie Director for the CTF. “We’re putting a clear message in lights at one of the busiest intersections in Saskatchewan: ‘Hey Brad, keep saying no to Justin’s carbon tax.’"

The federal government is threatening to impose a carbon tax that starts at $10 per tonne and rises to $50 per tonne. That translates to a 2.2 cents per litre on gasoline and rises to 11 cents per litre. The CTF calculates the total carbon tax bill for the average household will hit $2,569 per year.

A carbon tax would also hit farmers, miners and the oil industry.

“Farmers can’t get a crop in the bin without diesel in the tank and a carbon tax would add hundreds of dollars in expenses every day during harvest,” said MacKay. “Yet, despite being weighed down by a carbon tax, Saskatchewan farmers would still have to compete on the world market against American and Australian farmers who won’t face carbon taxes. Other Saskatchewanians, from potash miners to oil rig workers, would face similar struggles.

“Premier Wall is going to face some opposition from carbon-tax advocates – we’re making sure he knows many taxpayers in Saskatchewan stand with him in the fight against carbon taxes,” said MacKay.

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For more information, please contact:

Todd MacKay – CTF Prairie Director – 306-582-7717 – [email protected]