Weyburn-Bengough MLA Mike Weger is celebrating the passage of the 2025–2026 provincial budget and what he calls a “major step forward” for Saskatchewan – the removal of all carbon taxes in the province, including for industrial emitters.
Speaking following the budget’s approval last week, Weger said the process of debating and passing the budget marked a significant milestone for the legislative session.
“It’s a major step forward for our government,” Weger stated. “It’s where things start with this session, is with the budget speech, and it was really good to play a part in the debate that went back and forth and ultimately being on the government side where we voted in favour of the budget, of course.”
While the budget itself included a projected $12 million surplus, Weger acknowledged that one of the most talked-about developments was not part of the original budget package: the announcement that Saskatchewan would become the first jurisdiction in Canada to eliminate all carbon levies, effective April 1.
“This is a big announcement,” Weger said. “Essentially, effective April 1st, Saskatchewan will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to be carbon tax-free.” He clarified that the government paused the industrial carbon tax rate, which is under the output-based performance standards program.
Weger emphasized that the removal of the carbon levy from SaskPower bills alone will save households across the province hundreds of dollars each year.
“In Saskatchewan, we actually put the carbon tax in black and white on the SaskPower bill,” he explained. “You can absolutely do that yourself — take a look at your last power bill and see how much the carbon tax was. In April, it’s not going to be there anymore, which is a great, great move for the province.”
The decision, however, raises concerns about the province’s fiscal outlook. With the removal of carbon tax revenue, critics have noted that the province could slip into a deficit position. Weger dismissed those concerns, reaffirming that the budget as tabled remains in surplus.
“The budget still shows a surplus,” Weger noted. “This is one of many decisions that will come up throughout the year that may change projected numbers. But we have, in fact, tabled a surplus budget — twelve million dollars — and that still stands.”
He added that the impact of removing the carbon tax extends well beyond residential power bills.
“It’s not just households. This is households and businesses,” Weger said. “Whether you’re going to the grocery store, there’s going to be savings there for the grocery store. You’re at the hardware store, there’s savings there. Whatever business you are visiting is going to be seeing savings as well, which ultimately… get passed on to the consumer.”
He said the move is aimed squarely at easing inflationary pressures and helping Saskatchewan residents with the cost of living.
“This is a big step in our province,” Weger said. “And it’s great to be able to say, effective April 1st, we’ll be carbon tax free.”