How will the carbon tax impact Saskatchewanians?

A carbon tax will be in place in Canada by 2018, but what will that mean to utility bills in Saskatchewan?

The Crown utilities have begun to calculate the cost.

SaskPower estimates from now until 2030 it will mean a 20 per cent increase.

The Prime Minister announced a carbon price of $10 per tonne by 2018.

SaskEnergy calculates that means a $53 a year increase for the average customer.

When the price of carbon rises to $50 per tonne by 2022, customers will see a $265 a year increase on bills.

These prices don’t include the cost the Crowns themselves will face when the federal carbon tax is introduced.

For SaskEnergy that means an increase to the cost of fuel for 400 trucks putting on 14 million kilometres a year, plus construction equipment and the natural gas that fires up the compressor engines.

That cost pressure is likely passed on to the consumer.

Premier Brad Wall contends the average Saskatchewan family will face a tax increase of $1250 a year from the carbon tax.