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OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has postponed until at least June hearing a constitutional challenge of the federal government’s carbon tax.

The top court was to have heard the challenge, launched by Saskatchewan and Ontario and supported by several other provinces, next week.

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But, as part of a country-wide effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, Chief Justice Richard Wagner says the court is putting off several hearings, including on the much anticipated carbon tax case.

The top courts in Ontario and Saskatchewan rejected arguments by those provinces that the federal government doesn’t have the constitutional authority to impose a carbon tax in provinces that don’t impose a carbon price that meets federal standards.

They are appealing those rulings to the Supreme Court.

Wagner says the hearings on those appeals are being tentatively postponed until June, among other measures to reduce the potential for spreading COVID-19, including closing the Supreme Court building to visitors.