The Government of Saskatchewan's appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada about the Federal Government's carbon tax will finally get an answer. The Supreme Court is set to come down with their decision on the matter this Thursday, and according to Estevan MLA Lori Carr, there is a lot of confidence that this will be labeled unconstitutional.

"We believe that if the decision is based on the facts that were laid in front of them and the law, then we should win. It'll be really exciting to get that decision out of the way and decide what we have to do moving forward. Obviously, we're very optimistic that the decision is going to go our way and they find it unconstitutional, and then we'll have to figure out our steps moving forward."

The decision has been put before provincial courts in both Saskatchewan and Ontario in 2019, and both claims were then shut down before a third case in Alberta labeled the federal ruling unconstitutional all before the Supreme Court was involved. Even though just three provinces put forward official challenges, Carr says that the support for their side of the battle reaches further than you may expect.

"I think that speaks volumes when we have provinces that do have a united front. There's even a couple of provinces out east that are with us like Nova Scotia. So it is right across the country that people don't find this constitutional, even Quebec. Now they argued for different reasons than us, but they don't find it constitutional either, so there are provinces right across this country that feel the same way as us, maybe for different reasons, but still unconstitutional."

What this will change immediately isn't clear yet depending on the situation. Right now, federal carbon pricing is set at $30 per tonne of greenhouse gases produced, and then the revenues are distributed back to the public through tax rebates, but that isn't doing enough. One thing is for sure, if Saskatchewan's federal challenge does end in the province's favour, this fight won't be over right away.

"I can't predict the future, but my guess is if it is found unconstitutional that the other side will absolutely appeal it. I don't think the Liberal government put this in to be able to say 'OK, we give up'."

As things stand now, the federal carbon pricing is set to increase by 2030 to $170 per tonne.