SASKATOON, SK: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation applauds Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe for scrapping the province’s industrial carbon tax.

“Moe is right to cancel the hidden industrial carbon tax that increases the cost of everything and makes Saskatchewan less competitive,” said Gage Haubrich, CTF Prairie Director. “This move is a no-brainer to save taxpayers money and protect jobs.”

Moe announced that he will be setting the rate of Saskatchewan’s industrial carbon tax to zero, effectively scrapping it.

“Saskatchewan will be the first fully carbon tax–free province in Canada,” said Moe. “The immediate effect is the removal of the carbon tax on your SaskPower bills, saving Saskatchewan families and small businesses hundreds of dollars a year.”

The federal government announced it will be ending the consumer carbon tax on April 1. However, it still imposes a requirement for an industrial carbon tax.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would “improve and tighten” the industrial carbon tax.

“So in changing the carbon tax … we are making the large companies pay for everybody,” Carney said.

Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is promising to scrap the hidden industrial carbon tax.

Seventy per cent of Canadians said businesses pass most or some industrial carbon tax costs on to consumers, according to a recent Leger poll commissioned by the CTF.

“Saskatchewan has been a leader in fighting carbon taxes from the beginning and this is the right next step,” Haubrich said. “The Saskatchewan government deserves credit for scrapping its industrial carbon tax and becoming the first carbon tax-free province.”