The Alberta government will continue to forgo its provincial fuel tax on gas and diesel for the next three months — and nearly two million Albertans will receive electricity rebates beginning next month..The province implemented its fuel tax relief measure in March in response to record high gas prices. The government’s $300-million electricity rebate program is also a response to high utility costs..Both measures are targeted support from the government to help Albertans amid a rising cost of living, said Natural Gas and Electricity Associate Minister Dale Nally..“We are providing targeted support to help hard-working Albertans deal with the rising cost of living,” Nally said in a statement..“These rebates, combined with the fuel tax exemption and upcoming natural gas rebate, will help the large majority of Alberta households pay their bills while we make the long-term changes needed to make energy more affordable in the years ahead.”.More than 1.9 million homes, farms and small businesses will receive monthly credits of $50 on their July, August and September electricity bills, for a total of $150 in rebates, said a government news release. .The 13 cent fuel tax relief saves drivers about $6.80 per tank for a compact car (50 litres), $12.65 for a mid-size SUV (93 litres), and $18.50 for a large pickup truck (136 litres)..The government said it would maintain the tax break until the average price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell below $90 per barrel. For the four-week period ending June 15, WTI averaged $115.88 per barrel..“While fuel prices have continued to increase nationwide, Albertans still pay considerably less than their provincial neighbours,” Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said in a statement. “We’re pleased to extend this important relief measure until the end of September.”.The government will re-evaluate the program in September..Finance Minister Jason Nixon, who was the minister of Environment and Parks until Tuesday’s cabinet shuffle, has repeatedly called on Ottawa to implement similar measures, like a pause on the federal carbon tax and fuel tax. Such a measure would save drivers almost $22 more on every 100 litres of gasoline, said a release from the Government of Alberta..Ottawa declined and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said provincial fuel tax breaks “goes against our efforts to fight climate change.”
