The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) continue to support Saskatchewan’s climate change strategy and oppose the federal carbon tax that will place additional costs on the province’s municipalities.
“Saskatchewan’s municipalities have embraced a leadership role in adopting carbon reduction strategies,” said SUMA President Gordon Barnhart. “Our hometowns are using alternative energy sources to power recreational facilities, engaging with residents on environmentally friendly initiatives, and even converting landfill gas into a power source. Prairie Resilience: A Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy builds on the ingenuity of our communities. The federal carbon tax could impact the ability of Saskatchewan municipalities to innovatively adapt and build resilience to climate change.”
Both associations recognize alternative solutions to the federal carbon tax to reduce emissions and effectively address climate change.
“SARM sees energy infrastructure, such as pipeline expansion, playing an important role in reducing greenhouse gases,” said SARM President Ray Orb. “Moving oil by pipeline is safer and releases fewer emissions than transport by rail.”
The federal government has indicated intent to provide groups impacted by the federally imposed carbon tax with a portion of the proceeds collected, but both SUMA and SARM have concerns regarding cost calculations and funding distribution.
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For more information, please contact:
SUMA
Sean McKenzie
Senior Policy Advisor
306-525-4388
SARM
Kelsay Reimer
Director of Strategic Engagement and Communications
306-761-3740
