Alberta defends $4.4M summer ad blitz promoting climate-change plan

EDMONTON – Alberta’s environment minister says a multimillion-dollar summer advertising campaign to promote the province’s climate-change plan is necessary because of its sweeping impact.

Shannon Phillips says the plan is far-reaching and complex, and the government has a duty to communicate it.

The $4.4-million campaign is to feature ads online, on TV, on radio, in print and in mailouts.

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READ MORE: First plank of Alberta climate-change plan passes

The climate-change plan includes a broad-based carbon tax that is to begin on Jan. 1.

It will increase the cost of gas at the pumps and the price to heat homes and businesses.

READ MORE: Wildrose claims carbon tax will cost Albertans more than NDP suggest

Opposition critics say the carbon tax isn’t going over well with Albertans and the ad campaign is a desperate bid to sell something the public just isn’t buying.