Alberta increasing utility bill prices challenged by NDP member
Posted Mar 13, 2022 2:35 pm.
Last Updated Mar 13, 2022 2:39 pm.
NDP energy critic and Calgary mountain view MLA Kathleen Ganley was at the Ironwood Stage and Grill in Inglewood on Saturday to highlight the impact of rising rates of electricity and natural gas on Albertans.
She says electricity is currently over 15 cents per kilowatt-hour which is more than double the rate cap put in place under the previous NDP government.
Today we called on the government to bring in some real relief for small businesses who have suffered through years of challenges in the pandemic, and are now struggling under skyrocketing energy costs. #AbLeg pic.twitter.com/FoKugF7mQI
— Kathleen Ganley (@KathleenGanley) March 12, 2022
Ganley says the premier has promised real action and relief for people struggling to keep their homes in the discussion of the provincial budget but has delivered nothing of that sort.
“The premier came forward with a rebate on electricity prices $50 per month for 3 months – that’s it. But we’ve been hearing from countless Albertans whose costs have shot up to $700 to heat and keep the lights on in their homes,” says Ganley.
Related Article: Alberta unveils gas price relief plans
She says the utility prices come on top of increases to tuition and car insurance costs and the premier is offering “fake” programs instead of real action and relief to Albertans.
Adding, the natural gas rebate mentioned in the budget comes into effect in October and is not funded in the budget and calls it “a fake program.”
“All those increases come as a direct result of policy decisions made by this UCP government. They don’t seem to understand what’s facing Albertans. Or they simply don’t care. The Associate Minister couldn’t even tell me how much electricity rates have risen when he was asked in question period this week,” says Ganley.
Related Article: Skyrocketing utility bills in Alberta have homeowners concerned
Ganley says she is heading back to the legislature next week and will be demanding an amendment to the budget to provide real relief to Albertans.
