The Canadian Taxpayers Federation set up billboards in Calgary and Edmonton, voicing its opposition to the Alberta government’s carbon tax.
“Alberta’s carbon tax will hike your heating bill by over $200/year,” the sign reads. It also links to the website ScrapTheCarbonTax.ca
Since last year, the NDP has said natural gas will jump by $1.68 a gigajoule by 2018 because of its carbon tax, which will translate to an annual increase on your heating bill of at least $200 per year. However, the province also said 60 per cent of Albertans will receive a partial or full rebate.
The tax – unveiled as part of the latest provincial budget – is set to take effect next year.
READ MORE: How will Alberta’s carbon tax impact consumers?
The CTF billboards were unveiled in Calgary Tuesday and Edmonton Wednesday.
The group says since the NDP government announced the carbon tax, it’s been flooded with calls from people worried about how they’ll pay for the extra tax.
READ MORE: Alberta to implement carbon tax in climate change policy
“It’s going to impact investment in our province and of course make driving and heating your home less affordable but it’s not going to make a dent in global climate change,” CTF spokeswoman Paige MacPherson said.
“It’s just a needless, harmful policy that the Alberta government should scrap because the majority of Albertans oppose it.”
The Edmonton billboard is located on Jasper Avenue at 99 Street.
READ MORE: Alberta climate change plan: ‘War on coal’, ‘unfair hit’ or positive step forward?
The federation is also handing out free bumper stickers to anyone who wants one. It’s also encouraging people to sign a petition opposing the tax.
“It gets pretty cold here in Edmonton,” MacPherson said. “Home heating isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”
READ MORE: Trudeau says Liberals willing to impose carbon price on provinces
The Alberta NDP’s controversial carbon tax isn’t the only climate-related policy generating discussion these days. This week, provincial environment ministers met with their federal counterpart to begin discussions on carbon pricing.
The federal government decided to introduce a minimum price for carbon pollution which quickly drew the ire of several premiers.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said provinces will be required to put a price on carbon by 2018, at a minimum of $10 per tonne that will increase to $50 by 2022. He also gave the provinces two options for implementing that price: a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system. If a province or territory fails to do so Ottawa will impose its own price and return the revenue the provinces.
READ MORE: How will carbon pricing and the Paris agreement affect you?
A communications company was criticized Tuesday evening for a Tweet it made about the price on carbon.
In response to the Tweet, several people reached out to Rogers, Shaw, Bell, Fido and Wind Mobile, saying they wanted to switch providers.
“Hi @Rogers! Want to move personal and business accounts from @TELUS ASAP,” Prem Singh wrote.
“Going to check out Rogers phone pkgs,” Deb Roy said. “Can’t support Telus.”
“Hello @Shawhelp I need to switch services immediately,” Chancey Woods wrote.
“@TELUS After being a loyal customer for 27 years you just lost my business #notimpressed,” Michelle Walsh replied.
Kevin Lacey, Atlantic director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, called Telus “an embarrassment” in his own tweet. He added he was a longtime customer who wanted a good phone service, not an advocate for higher taxes.
On Wednesday, Telus sent out another message addressing the first Tweet.
On Monday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley indicated her government will not support the Trudeau government’s climate change strategy without significant progress on getting new oil pipelines approved.
READ MORE: Alberta government will not support federal climate change plan without pipeline approval
With a file from The Canadian Press
Comments