The federal government’s carbon tax is set to kick in for Saskatchewan and other provinces in April of this year. The tax itself is facing a court challenge from the Saskatchewan government next month and is also under fire from opposition MP’s.

One of those MP’s who is speaking out about the carbon tax is Dr. Robert Kitchen, who represents the riding of Souris-Moose Mountain. He said the tax itself is leaving too many questions unanswered.

“Ultimately what we have is a prime minister who is saying the carbon tax is $20 a ton right now,” Kitchen stated. “But, by 2021, it will be $50 a ton. What will it be after that? He’s not telling me that.”

Kitchen added there are some in the government who believe the carbon tax will actually need to be elevated to $300 to be effective, and the United Nations says an effective carbon tax needs to be at the $5500 a ton mark.

“That’s six times what we’re doing now, so you’re going to escalate those costs?” Kitchen asked.

Another facet of the carbon tax which Kitchen voiced displeasure with is how it will potentially be subject to the GST.

“There’s a GST on this whole thing that doesn’t go back,” Kitchen said, referring to the rebate Canadian taxpayers will be seeing in April if the carbon tax survives the court challenge in February. “On everything that gets added up, he’s tacking on a five percent GST on it.”

The federal carbon tax takes effect on April 15th.