LETHBRIDGE, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Alberta NDP candidates to make their carbon tax positions clear.

“Albertans are fighting to afford basics like food and fuel, so the next provincial NDP leader should be clear about the carbon tax,” said Kris Sims, CTF Alberta Director. “The federal carbon tax makes eating, heating and transportation more expensive and if it’s scrapped, the last thing Albertans need is for a provincial carbon tax to happen again.”

Alberta’s former NDP government created a provincial carbon tax in 2015, costing taxpayers more than $1 billion before it was scrapped by the UCP government in 2019.

The federal carbon tax costs 17 cents per litre of gas, 21 cents per litre of diesel and 15 cents per cubic metre of natural gas. The Parliamentary Budget Officer calculates it’s costing average Alberta families over $900 this year, with the rebates factored in.

Five Alberta NDP leadership candidates held a debate in Lethbridge on Thursday night. The carbon tax was not discussed.

Current NDP MLAs, Kathleen Ganley, Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse and Sarah Hoffman, along with labour activist Gil McGowan and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi are seeking the leadership of the Alberta NDP.

Former NDP health minister Hoffman has stated she is now opposed to a carbon tax.

“I think the consumer carbon tax is dead,” Hoffman told reporters in February. “If you don't have public support, you can't carry on with something like that.”

“If the federal carbon tax is scrapped, Albertans need to know where provincial politicians stand on a provincial carbon tax,” said Sims. “Albertans should not be punished for driving to work, heating their homes and buying food.”

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