EDMONTON — While many Albertans had been hoping for relief at the gas pumps through a reduction of the provincial fuel tax, the Alberta government has instead opted to provide a one-time $100 payment to eligible residents, a move the Opposition NDP says falls short.
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said the government’s decision to replace fuel tax relief with a one-time payment will not provide meaningful help for families facing rising living costs.
“For months, Alberta’s NDP has been calling on the UCP government to remove the provincial gas tax and give Albertans real relief in the face of the soaring price of gas,” Nenshi said in a statement Friday.
The Opposition says the average Alberta family pays more than $350 a year in provincial gas taxes, making a one-time payment significantly less valuable than reducing or eliminating the tax.
“This $100 payment is welcome but doesn’t really help most Albertans who work hard every day to feed their families and are paying more than they should at the pump,” Nenshi said.
The NDP argues suspending the provincial fuel tax would save Albertans hundreds of dollars annually while providing immediate relief during a period of higher fuel prices.
Nenshi also criticized the government’s broader approach to affordability, saying Albertans continue to face rising costs for electricity, groceries and auto insurance.
The Opposition says its affordability plan also includes measures to lower utility bills, reduce grocery costs, eliminate what it calls nuisance fees and protect household incomes.
The United Conservative government has promoted the one-time payment as part of its affordability measures for eligible Albertans but has not responded publicly to the Opposition’s latest criticism.
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