Alberta government provides relief for rising fuel and electricity costs
By Mikaela Delos Santos, Web Editor
On March. 7, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced plans for helping Albertans with fuel and electricity costs over a livestream.
Due to the rising gas and utility costs, the Alberta government has settled to halt the collection of provincial fuel tax as a means of relief for Albertans. The fuel tax is currently at $0.13CAD per litre for both gasoline and diesel. Marked gasoline and diesel is currently at $0.04. The said reductions will also reduce GST by $0.65 per litre.
The Alberta government will also provide $150 in electricity rebates for residents’ large bills during this winter, as well as a $50 monthly rebate for three months to farms and businesses. According to a press release, the Alberta government will work with regulators to determine details, rebate timing and directly apply rebates to consumer’s accounts.
These reductions and rebates will apply to Alberta on April 1, 2022 the same day the Canadian federal government is set to increase the federal carbon tax.
“Stopping the provincial fuel tax puts money back in the pockets of Albertans when they need it most,” Kenney said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Travis Toews, says that, “the best thing [the] government can do during inflationary times is to spend less, borrow less and tax less.”
According to a report by CTV News, the tax cuts will save families between $70 and $220 for gas between April and June depending on household income.
