A new poll suggests most Albertans feel the carbon tax is having an impact on their lives. 51 per cent of those surveyed by Mainstreet/Postmedia say the new levy has had a major impact, while 42 per cent say they’ve felt a minor impact.
Without having seen the report, Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd says the results tell her she and her colleagues need to do a better job getting the word out about how the money is being put back into the province.
“What are some things that you think would help the north that we could invest in, because we’re open to good ideas. I’ve talked to the municipalities about how yes, you might be spending more on fuel, but are there some things to make your building more efficient that we could work in the re-investment?”
re-investment.”
McCuaig-Boyd says she and Environment Minister Shannon Phillips welcome feedback from Albertans on where they’d like to see the funds from the carbon tax put back in to the province. The best way to do that is to contact their ministries or a local MLA.
People are also being encouraged to read up and ask more questions about the Climate Leadership Plan and what it really means for their families. McCuaig-Boyd says there’s some common misconceptions, like it’s going to cost residents a lot of money.
“I looked at my own bill last month, and my own personal here was $12 more for the gas, but we also had a pretty cold December and January. So, look at your bills over time.”
While the carbon levy applies to heating and transportation fuel, McCuaig-Boyd says many people don’t realize that farm fuel used off-road is also exempt. Electricity bills also won’t be going up, since it has had a carbon tax on it at the source since 2008.
