From natural gas rebates to smokeless tobacco, here's how the Alberta budget might impact you
CBC
It was one of the many questions looming prior to the release of Thursday's budget — given Alberta's startling reversal in financial fortunes (largely owing to spiking oil prices) — how will this affect the pocketbook of the average Albertan?
We now have some answers.
The United Conservative Party's fourth budget looks markedly different from the three prior, with a $511 million surplus targeted for 2022-23, compared to a previously forecasted deficit of $3.2B for 2021-22.
But that projected return to surplus did not translate into direct relief programs for Albertans struggling with inflation and high costs of living.
There's a natural gas rebate available intended to help consumers deal with natural gas bills, but that comes with a big asterisk. More on that in a bit.
The budget does not address Alberta's skyrocketing electricity rates, which have forced some Albertans to make tough decisions. It will also raise costs for students, campers, and likely anyone booking an AirBnB.
This strategy appears to be by design.
Instead of direct relief programs, the government emphasizes the plan is to "position the province for economic growth" while taxing less — the hope being that the plan will raise wages and attract new jobs to Alberta.
Here's some of what's in Budget 2022 that could impact you in the year to come.
CBC Calgary heard from dozens of Calgarians this week who said they were struggling with utility bills thanks to soaring natural gas prices.
High energy prices are great news for government coffers (and its new budget) but translate into higher heating bills for consumers.
The new budget suggests a solution.
Should regulated natural gas companies charge rates above $6.50 a gigajoule between October 2022 and March 2023, a rebate will become available to consumers using less than 2,500 gigajoules annually.
The government figures that would cover most homes, small apartment buildings, farms and small industrial and commercial operations.
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