Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he is considering options to fight the federal carbon tax.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday that the federal carbon price is entirely constitutional. In a 6-3 decision, the court upheld a pivotal piece of the Liberal climate-change plan, accounting for at least one-third of the emissions Canada aims to cut over the next decade.
Kenney said the province is disappointed with the decision.
“The Supreme Court ignored the Alberta Court of Appeals warning and discovered a new federal power that erodes provincial jurisdiction and undermines our constitution federal system,” Kenney said.
“We’ll take time to study that decision in detail… we’ll continue to fight to defend our exclusive provincial power to regulate our resource industry, that is guaranteed in section 92A of the constitution.”
Alberta was one of the provinces challenging the federal carbon tax, arguing that the levy is an intolerable intrusion on the right of provinces to develop their natural resources.
Kenney said Alberta would respect the decision, while also consulting with Albertans and ally provinces on next steps.
“To determine the best way forward to protect jobs and the economy in Alberta. To minimize the cost of any future policies on this province. There are a number of different options we are considering,” he said.
The premier added while the legal options are limited to fight the decision, it was clear there is plenty of support for Alberta’s opposition to the federal carbon tax.
“We’re not going to back down, on defending our jobs and our economy and our powers under the federation.”
Asked about Alberta potentially implementing its own provincial carbon tax, as the NDP government did in the past, Kenney said the guiding principle of his approach will be to impose the least cost and hardship on consumers and Alberta industries.
-With files from the Canadian Press