REGINA — Saskatchewan's natural gas utility could face hefty fines for not remitting the carbon tax to the federal government, and its executives may also face jail for failing to do so, federal legislation says.
Premier Scott Moe announced this week that SaskEnergy would not remit the carbon tax on natural gas starting Jan. 1, unless Ottawa exempts the fuel."The stakes are actually quite high for failing to remit the carbon tax," Gerard Kennedy, a law professor at the University of Alberta, said Tuesday.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last week the carbon tax would be exempt for three years on home heating oil to address affordability needs.
It says every officer, director or representative of a corporation who"directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated" in the offence would be considered guilty. It says a corporation's representatives would be liable to the punishment, even if they haven't been prosecuted or convicted.
"The CEO of SaskEnergy will have to decide if their organization is willing to accept an order to disobey a federal law."Dustin Duncan, the minister responsible for the Crown utility, said the province is looking at options, including legislation, to shield SaskEnergy executives or board members from facing punishment."I guess if it comes to that point where somebody's going to carbon jail, that likely will be me," he said.
"But these are serious matters, no question, and there may be some uncomfortable moments for the government-appointed board members in the months and weeks ahead."
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