Feds, UCP at odds over Sask. case

OTTAWA OPPOSES UCP AS INTERVENERS IN TAX FIGHT

The federal government is opposing a pitch by Alberta’s United Conservative Party for intervener status in an upcoming court case in Saskatchewan over the national carbon tax. Documents filed by Ottawa in Saskatchewan’s Court of Appeal on Wednesday say the party’s interest in the case is political and speculative.

“It is disappointing to see Conservative politicians across the country using taxpayer money and resources to oppose serious action on climate change,” Caroline Theriault, a spokeswoman with federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna’s office, said in a statement.

Saskatchewan has asked the court to rule on whether the federal government’s plan to force a carbon tax on the province is constitutional.

The province believes its own climate change plan, which doesn’t include a carbon tax, is enough to reduce emissions.

The federal government also said it doesn’t want the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, the Assembly of First Nations, Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) and Climate Justice Saskatoon to have standing in the case.

Theriault said Ottawa’s position on which interveners should be allowed is based on the legal rules for intervener application in reference cases.

A panel of three judges will decide which interveners will be allowed on Dec. 12 in Regina. The case is to be heard in mid-February.

The United Conservatives called out Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for Ottawa’s argument against the party.

UPC leader Jason Kenney said his party needs to be heard on the carbon tax.

“The UCP is stepping up and seeking to intervene because the current Alberta government refuses to do so,” Kenney said in an email.

“It’s telling that the Trudeau Government is happy with foreign-funded groups like the David Suzuki Foundation and Environmental Defence fighting for a carbon tax in Canadian courts, but not the Official Opposition in Alberta that represents a significant number of Albertans.”

Amir Attaran, a lawyer for Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, said he supports the federal government’s position against the UPC party having standing in the case.

“It’s hard to see how Jason Kenney would be doing anything other than making this case a political forum because he’s not in power,” Attaran said.