WATCH ABOVE: As Albertans adjust to the new economic reality, they may have to adjust to a new sales tax as well. As Tom Vernon explains, the PST conversation is underway.
CALGARY – The interim leader of the Wildrose Party is voicing her opposition to the idea of a provincial sales tax for Albertans.
“We don’t support it at all,” said Heather Forsyth. “We said that in the last provincial election before going into the provincial election and we haven’t wavered from that.”
Forsyth took time to speak with Global News while attending an event at the Calgary Elks Lodge and Golf Club in Calgary’s north east district. She suggested Alberta Premier Jim Prentice is attempting to climb out of a financial hole on the back of Alberta taxpayers.
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“This government has continually spent, overspent and overspent and now when we’re heading into troubling times you think ‘now, well guess what? We’ll bring out a tax,” said Forsyth.
Alberta Premier Jim Prentice first announced the possibility of a provincial sales tax to fix an ailing oil-based economy on Tuesday.
Forsyth is not the only member of the Wildrose party suggesting the premier has other options to protect the province’s economy.
“The savings account is depleted, the province has plunged the province billions in debt and now the premier is talking about asking Albertans to pay for the PC government’s record of failing to plan for the future,” said Wildrose finance critic Drew Barnes.
“Mr. Prentice needs to start at the top with the perks and pay of politicians and the rising costs of his own offices. Before asking Albertans to make sacrifices, leaders need to set the tone from the top.”
Last week, Prentice said oil prices are not expected to rebound sufficiently to allow the government to balance the books until 2018.
Alberta is currently the only province in the country without a provincial sales tax.
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