Alberta’s electric vehicle owners will get their comeuppance when they’re forced to pay an extra $200 fee to register their Teslas and federally subsidized EVs next year.That’s because the UCP government is planning to impose a $200 surcharge in addition to the regular registration fee starting as soon as next January.In its budget documents, the government says EVs are heavier than conventional vehicles and cause more damage on highways and roads, while owners don’t pay a provincial fuel tax. The tax will not apply to hybrid vehicles..“I’m interested in fixing the roads,” said Alberta Treasury Board President and Finance Minister Nate Horner. “We need everyone to help.”Finance Minister Nate Horner.During his pre-budget press conference Finance Minister Nate Horner said the EV tax would be comparable to estimated gas taxes paid at the pump and is expected to generate $1 million this year before gradually increasing $5 million in 2025 and $8 million in 2026 as more of them hit the highways.Horner defended the move by pointing to other jurisdictions in North America that have already implemented the surcharges.“I’m interested in fixing the roads,” he said. “We need everyone to help.”It’s part of a raft of scheduled tax and fee hikes that are less likely to be as popular with ordinary Albertans.Starting in January, Alberta will be collecting a tax on all vaping products equivalent to the federal tax on tobacco products. Cigarette taxes are also increasing 2.5 cents to 30 cents per dart while smokeless tobacco is going up by 7.5 cents to 35 cents per gram effective March 1.The changes are expected to generate $25 million this year..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
Alberta’s electric vehicle owners will get their comeuppance when they’re forced to pay an extra $200 fee to register their Teslas and federally subsidized EVs next year.That’s because the UCP government is planning to impose a $200 surcharge in addition to the regular registration fee starting as soon as next January.In its budget documents, the government says EVs are heavier than conventional vehicles and cause more damage on highways and roads, while owners don’t pay a provincial fuel tax. The tax will not apply to hybrid vehicles..“I’m interested in fixing the roads,” said Alberta Treasury Board President and Finance Minister Nate Horner. “We need everyone to help.”Finance Minister Nate Horner.During his pre-budget press conference Finance Minister Nate Horner said the EV tax would be comparable to estimated gas taxes paid at the pump and is expected to generate $1 million this year before gradually increasing $5 million in 2025 and $8 million in 2026 as more of them hit the highways.Horner defended the move by pointing to other jurisdictions in North America that have already implemented the surcharges.“I’m interested in fixing the roads,” he said. “We need everyone to help.”It’s part of a raft of scheduled tax and fee hikes that are less likely to be as popular with ordinary Albertans.Starting in January, Alberta will be collecting a tax on all vaping products equivalent to the federal tax on tobacco products. Cigarette taxes are also increasing 2.5 cents to 30 cents per dart while smokeless tobacco is going up by 7.5 cents to 35 cents per gram effective March 1.The changes are expected to generate $25 million this year..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
