The federal environment minister is urging Saskatchewan to sign on to Ottawa’s national climate change plan or risk losing its share of federal money for emission-reduction programs.
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna took aim on Twitter at the only province not to sign on to a framework on clean growth and climate change as the deadline loomed.
“I am simply encouraging Saskatchewan to sign on to our national climate plan,” McKenna said Wednesday in an interview with The Canadian Press. “Every other province and territory has signed on to it,” she said.
“If Saskatchewan signs on … we will be able to partner with them. We have $62 million that could be used for energy efficiency programs in Saskatchewan.”
That money would come from a low-carbon fund for projects that make buildings more energy efficient or that store or capture carbon during agricultural activities.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe wasn’t available for comment, but said in Regina on Tuesday that he won’t sign on to the framework because it comes with an ”ill-conceived” carbon tax. The province has threatened to challenge the plan in court.
Moe said Saskatchewan will still apply for its share of the money from the low-carbon fund.
“We require that investment to continue to lower the emissions here in the province of Saskatchewan,” he said. “We have some aggressive targets here … that we intend on meeting, in particular around our power generation.