The Saskatchewan government says it has filed for an injunction to stop the Canada Revenue Agency from collecting carbon levy dollars the province owes.
Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre didn’t immediately provide details Thursday but said Ottawa is coming after Saskatchewan’s coffers.
“It’s unfair and it’s unconstitutional,” Ms. Eyre said in a video message posted on social media.
“Section 126 of Canada’s constitution does not allow the federal government to grab money from a province’s bank account.”
Earlier this year, Premier Scott Moe’s government stopped paying the carbon levy on natural gas to Ottawa, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau exempted home-heating oil users from paying.
The move was largely seen as helping those in Atlantic Canada, where home-heating oil is commonly used and polls say the federal Liberals have lost support.
Mr. Trudeau has said he has faith the revenue service will collect the money owed by Saskatchewan.
He has also said Ottawa will continue to send Saskatchewan residents carbon rebates, arguing most Canadians get more in rebates than what they pay in levies.
Some premiers and federal Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre contend the levy makes life more unaffordable.
Saskatchewan’s move to not pay the levy breaks federal emissions law. The province can face fines or the minister responsible for natural gas distribution can get jail time for not abiding by the rule.
