By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Alberta Interim PC Leader Hammers NDP on Economy and Carbon Tax Bill

May 26, 2016 | 3:38 PM

LETHBRIDGE: After a devastating loss in the last provincial election, Alberta’s Progressive Conservative Party is taking steps to engage and have a conversation with Albertans on policy issues.

The party launched an initiative dubbed “Engage – A Conversation with Albertans”, which invites people to talk to the party about the budget, finances and where the province is headed, as the government deals with challenges of low oil prices and job losses.

Interim party leader, Ric McIver, was in Lethbidge Thursday to speak to participants at the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs.

McIver says one of the pressing issues is to make sure the province has a business and job friendly environment, which is something he says the province doesn’t have right now.

“I want to reassure people that we PC’s are pushing the government in that direction every day and trying to get them to respect the economy and the way that Albertans make their living and the fact that we need to get people back to work – government needs to be an assistance to that and not an obstacle.”

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Week-in-review: Street sweeping, policing in Coaldale and #SlowYourRoll

Apr 13, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 12, 2024

Apr 12, 2024

As the Tory critic for the Treasury Board, as well as Finance, Municipal Affairs and Labour, McIver also had an opposing angle to Bill 20, the Carbon Tax Bill that was introduced in the legislature on Tuesday.

Premier Rachel Notley has accused the opposition of creating fear over her government’s carbon tax bill. However, McIver contends Notley is the one creating fear.

Bill 20 will give the province the legal power to hike taxes on heating bills and gas at the pumps to fund its multibillion-dollar carbon levy.

McIver says that while the government claims the Bill is an environmental program, his party sees it as a wealth transfer program that takes taxes out of the system, while providing little benefit for the environment.

The opposition parties claim the legislation contains invasive rules on search and seizure, which he will fight to amend or remove.

“The elements of the bill allowing the government to go on people’s property without a search warrant, and to do things tax collectors have the authority to do – one of the questions that I’m waiting for the government to explain is what exactly do they expect to find in Albertans’ underwear drawers that will help them collect the carbon tax.”

McIver, the MLA for Calgary-Hays, is a former cabinet minister who served on the treasury board and Transportation, Infrastructure and Jobs, Skills Training and Labour ministries.