After rebates, the carbon tax will still cost Saskatchewan families, on average, $390. That’s the message from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, as the federal government sends out the next rebate cheques. Prairie Director, Robin Speer, says according to the numbers from the Parliamentary Budget Office report, the average Saskatchewan household will pay $1,561 in carbon tax this year, and will get back $1,172, for a deficit of $390. In addition to the carbon tax, the federal government charges a sales tax and excise tax on gas so, in total, federal gas taxes cost Saskatchewan drivers 29 cents per litre, or about $22 when filling up a minivan. There is also a provincial tax on fuel.

The CTF is urging the federal government to follow the lead of other world leaders and provide immediate relief from the rising cost of living by cutting the carbon tax. The federal government has stated in the past that any province or territory can design its own pricing system, or can choose the federal system, which sets minimum national stringency standards. Saskatchewan’s plan wasn’t approved by the federal government. Ontario, Manitoba, Yukon, Alberta and Nunavut also have a federal carbon tax.