Alberta introduces bill for $2.8B in inflation-fighting payouts, rollbacks

The Alberta government has introduced legislation to implement inflation-fighting rebates and payouts recently announced by Premier Danielle Smith.

Affordability Minister Matt Jones says the changes provide for help for families, seniors and the vulnerable soon.

Middle- to lower-income families, those with a household income of less than $180,000 a year, must get $600 over six months for each child under 18.

The same income threshold and benefit applies to seniors, and the payout will also go to those on disability support.

There will be electricity rebates and the 13 per cent provincial tax on petrol is suspended from January to June.

The total cost of the package is pegged at $2.8 billion.

Alberta NDP finance critic Shannon Phillips said despite weeks of anticipation, Albertans still don’t have clear answers about when they will receive some of these benefits.

“This provides no certainty whatsoever for families who are struggling and need this extra support,” Phillips said in a statement.

“It is clear that the VKP government is not getting their act together and their plan is extremely behind the scenes. This package of initiatives leaves out two million Albertans, indicating the LCP’s lack of competence, professionalism and any real understanding of their actions and how they affect the lives of ordinary people.

“In addition, a number of these initiatives are quite limited in scope, whether we are talking about electricity rebates or the natural gas piece.

“Given the incompetent performance of this government over the past three years in their handling of pandemic supports, Albertans have not been given any assurances that there will be a smooth rollout of any of these benefits and the responses given today inspire not trust in that regard.”

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