A new report has looked into how much Albertans will pay in the federal carbon tax. (Photo: Kingjon | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

CORRECTION

Alberta families to receive more back from carbon tax than they pay into it

Mar 28, 2024 | 12:48 PM

CORRECTION: The original version of this article stated that Albertans would receive more money back from the carbon tax then they paid into it. Following clarification from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, we have learned that this is not the case. LNN apologizes for any confusion this might have caused.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has released its estimate for how much money Albertans would pay in the federal carbon tax.

The tax is set to increase on April 1, 2024 by $15 per tonne to $85 per tonne.

Citing data from the Parliamentary Budget Office, CTF Alberta Director Kris Sims says the net cost of the carbon tax for the average Albertan household will be $911 in 2024-25.

CTF Federal Director Franco Terrazzano says that amount even accounts for the increased rebates that Albertans will receive starting this April.

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Sims stated, “Alberta families are fighting to afford food and home heating and the last thing they need is Trudeau’s carbon tax hike. It’s wrong for the Trudeau government to punish Albertans for driving their cars, heating their homes and buying food.”

Starting with the April 2024 installment, Albertans will get $450 back each quarter, or $1,800 annually.

Despite the estimates from the CTF, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland claims that eight out of 10 Canadian families will get more back than they pay.

The carbon tax remains an unpopular idea in Alberta. The Angus Reid Institute reported earlier this month that 59 per cent of survey respondents wanted the carbon tax to be abolished and another nine per cent thought it should be lowered.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has repeatedly called for the federal government to scrap the carbon tax, or at the very least, provide exemptions or cancel the April increase.

READ MORE: Carbon tax rebate amounts increasing in April, rebranding stirs controversy

READ MORE: Smith calls for carbon tax to be scrapped, or at least give exemptions

READ MORE: 59% of Albertans want carbon tax abolished: poll

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