Scott Moe is the last line of defence against federal policies that are killing our economy
And then there was one.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is the last man standing.
He’s the only premier who is refusing to give his blessing to Ottawa’s costly industrial carbon tax.
And the Alberta government’s latest agreement with Ottawa shows that he needs to keep standing firm.
Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters in Calgary that Alberta’s industrial carbon tax will be six and a half times more expensive by 2040 because of the new agreement signed between Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
That’s a bad deal for Alberta taxpayers. That’s because the industrial carbon tax applies to nearly everything and makes life more expensive and businesses less competitive.
The carbon tax hits fuel refineries, making gasoline and diesel cost more at the pumps. The carbon tax hits utility companies and electricity generation, making home heating and home electricity cost more.
That means next January, keeping your pipes from freezing and your lights on in Alberta will cost more, thanks to this industrial carbon tax from Ottawa.
No other oil-producing nation imposes an industrial carbon tax, according to Cenovus Energy CEO Jon McKenzie. That means the tax “incents industry to invest outside of Canada.”
The United States doesn’t impose a national carbon tax. In fact, more than 70 per cent of countries around the world don’t have a national carbon tax.
Smith signed the deal because the federal government said that, in exchange for a more costly carbon tax on Albertans, Ottawa will consider approving a pipeline to the coast in the future. But there are no guarantees.
To date, no private company has offered to spend its own money to build a pipeline from Alberta to the coast.
Saskatchewan residents, be warned. Carney is likely coming for Saskatchewan next.
Moe recently said that the Saskatchewan government will start talks with Ottawa to find a “workable place” on charging Saskatchewanians an industrial carbon tax again.
There is no “workable place” for taxpayers who will be paying the increased cost of any industrial carbon tax imposed on the province.
In Saskatchewan, the industrial carbon tax would nail fertilizer plants, increasing costs for farmers, making food cost more, and it would also hit the mining industry, costing people money and their jobs.
But all that can be stopped if Moe stands firm against Carney and his carbon tax.
That’s because Saskatchewan has already been carbon-tax-free for more than a year.
The Saskatchewan government scrapped its industrial carbon tax on April 1, 2025. When removing the tax, Moe said that Saskatchewan is “taking the lead on the removal of this harmful tax.”
Scrapping the industrial carbon tax is saving the average Saskatchewan family about $112 per year on their power bills, according to SaskPower. Farms will save about $330 per year.
The industrial carbon tax hike is now a certainty for Albertans. That can’t happen to Saskatchewan. Moe cannot flinch from this position.
The premier of Saskatchewan has been fighting carbon taxes for years, just like his predecessor, former premier Brad Wall.
It’s one thing for Carney to ram a carbon tax down the throats of Saskatchewanians from Ottawa. People in Western Canada are used to that. That’s what former prime minister Justin Trudeau did for years.
But it’s different when a premier stands on stage and gives their blessing to Ottawa to impose carbon taxes on their province.
Moe must tell Carney no.
Polling shows that 69 per cent of Saskatchewanians support keeping the province carbon-tax-free, according to Insightrix.
Overall, 68 per cent of Canadians believe businesses pass most or some of the cost of the industrial carbon tax on to consumers, according to Leger polling.
Taxpayers need someone in their corner, fighting against Ottawa’s costly carbon taxes.
People need a premier to speak for them, to stand up and say no.
Moe needs to keep Saskatchewan carbon-tax-free.
Gage Haubrich, Prairie Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, is a fierce critic of government overspending and a champion for Prairie taxpayers.
Explore more on Carbon tax, Liberal government, Canadian economy
The views, opinions, and positions expressed by our columnists and contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of our publication.
Troy Media empowers Canadian community news outlets by providing independent, insightful analysis and commentary. Our mission is to support local media in helping Canadians stay informed and engaged by delivering reliable content that strengthens community connections and deepens understanding across the country.
