NDP tables climate change plan with promise to offset costs
Posted May 24, 2016 6:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The NDP Government tabled its highly controversial Climate Leadership Implementation Act Tuesday afternoon, with more details on what kind of rebates Albertans will see for the new levy on gas prices and home heating.
Before Bill 20 was tabled in the legislature for first reading, Enviroment Minister Shannon Phillips held a news conference with political, industry, and environmental leaders from Edmonton to discuss the plan, which includes $20 per tonne starting on January 1st, 2017.
Phillips said six in 10 Albertans will get their extra costs back, with single adults getting up to $200 per year depending on income starting next year.
Couples will receive $300 and parents will get an additional $30 per child under 18, for up to four children.
“The rebate stays the same regardless of how much energy Albertans use, providing an incentive to reduce emissions and keep more cash in your pocket,” Phillips said.
While the NDP has pegged the cost per family to as high as just over $440 for families, the Wildrose has claimed the cost is closer $1,000, saying the government has been low-balling estimates.
The government’s goal is to see greenhouse gas emissions curb downward around 2030, with the phase out of coal power and renewable energy accounting for 30 per cent of the province’s electricity.
As for the taxes, begining next year, Albertans will pay an additional 4.5 cents per litre of gas, as well as 5.35 cents for diesel, increasing a year later to 6.7 cents for gas and eight cents for diesel.
The increase on natural gas will be over $1 per gigajoule and $1.52 gigagoule in 2018.
The extra funding is earmarked for renewable energy projects and public transit and will also set up an energy agency.
The topic dominated the first section of Question Period in the legislature, with Wildrose Leader Brian Jean and Premier Rachel Notley going back and forth.
“How can the premiere possibly justify a new tax on charities and the most vulnerable in Alberta at a time when they are already spread so thin?” Jean asked.
“Our climate leadership plan will ensure that, when it comes to the levy, they are properly rebated and will achieve climate leadership as well as fairness,” Notley said.
The plan has received support from Suncor, AltaLink, GE Canada, and Cenovus, as well as provincial jurisdictions, education, and labour groups.
