Small businesses disappointed with Court of Appeal’s carbon tax decision

Regina, May 3, 2019 – The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal’s decision to rule against the province’s constitutional challenge to the federal carbon tax is disappointing to Saskatchewan small businesses, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

“We are extremely disappointed by the court’s decision on this matter,” said Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB’s vice-president of prairie and agri-business. “The federal carbon tax is deeply unfair to small firms, which have had to absorb a majority of the new costs, so we are pleased the provincial government will continue to aggressively fight back against the carbon tax.”

Small firms are contributing nearly 50 per cent of the revenues from the carbon tax, which came into effect on April 1 in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick. In return, they will receive just 7 per cent back in the form of rebates and grants, though details of those programs have not yet been announced.  However, consumers will receive 90 per cent of the ‘Climate Action Incentive’ payments with many large emitters receiving carbon tax exemptions.

An overwhelming majority (96 per cent) of small businesses in Saskatchewan oppose the carbon tax and 91 per cent support the province’s legal challenge. That’s why CFIB is asking the federal government to cancel the tax and work with the provinces to find better ways to reduce emissions without negatively affecting small businesses.

“We commend the Saskatchewan government for continuing to aggressively oppose the costly carbon tax,” added Braun-Pollon. “Small business owners fully support the province’s plan to appeal to the Supreme Court.”

To arrange an interview with Marilyn Braun-Pollon, please call (306) 757-0000 or email mssask@cfib.ca. You may follow CFIB Saskatchewan on Twitter @cfibsk.

About CFIB
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 110,000 members (5,250 in Saskatchewan) across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners’ chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca.