REGINA — The Saskatchewan government is set to decide whether its natural gas utility will remit carbon levies to Ottawa.

Premier Scott Moe had announced SaskEnergy would stop collecting carbon levies from customers in January and has until the end of this month to remit those dollars. 

The company would break federal emissions law if it chooses not to remit, resulting in fines or possible jail time for executives.

The Saskatchewan Party government has said if SaskEnergy does remit the money, it could come from provincial revenues or the company’s bottom line. 

The federal government has not said what it would do if SaskEnergy does not remit, but has said the carbon pricing program needs to remain revenue neutral. 

Ottawa says it expects all provinces to follow the law.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 29, 2024.

The Canadian Press