Alberta gas prices focus of government relief plan

Alberta’s premier says his government is drafting a plan to provide some financial relief to Albertans paying high prices at the gas pump.

In recent weeks, oil prices have continued to climb, with the average price at the pumps Friday morning being $1.54 per litre of regular, about eight cents higher than a week ago.

Jason Kenney says he recognizes the spike in oil prices across the globe are punishing drivers.

He says officials will be working through the weekend to develop a relief plan that could include a cut in taxes at the pump. He does worry that any decrease will be eaten up by further increases in the federal carbon tax.

“It’s a very simple thing that could happen overnight to reduce gas prices, electricity prices, and natural gas prices for home heating and that’s to scrap the carbon tax. That’s what we tried to do here in Alberta, we sued Justin Trudeau over his carbon tax and unfortunately lost in the Supreme Court 5-to-3,” said Premier Jason Kenny.

In last week’s budget, Kenney’s government outlined a rebate program for natural gas bills, but the Opposition NDP has criticized the plan because it doesn’t kick in until the fall and contains price trigger points not likely to ever be reached.

Experts have suggested gas prices will continue to hover on the higher side as demand for oil outpaces supply.

– With files from the Canadian Press

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today