Albertans can expect to pay more at the gas pump and on their heating bills in 2017 with the introduction of a carbon tax but rebates will lessen the impact for select groups.
According to a study conducted by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, single parent families, elderly families and single Albertans are most likely to receive rebates.
“The winners are going to be generally single people because their incomes are lower than the threshold,” explained Jennifer Winter. “It’s the families that really need to be concerned about their energy use.”
The carbon tax will see posted fuel pump prices rise by roughly five cents per litre and heating prices increase by one dollar per gigajoule.
Officials with the Calgary Board of Education are concerned they’ll not receive a carbon tax break and could face significant cost increases with the fueling of school buses and the heating of schools. Representatives estimate the board could face an additional $1 million in costs each year.
Calgary Board of Education's CFO Brad Grundy says the board is doing its share to reduce carbon emissions and deserves a break.
“As a system, we've done a number of energy efficiency retrofits to various facilities to reduce our energy consumption,” said Grundy. “We have 19 facilities with solar generating capacity so those would be some things they could continue to fund.”
“We also contribute to the solution by educating our students in areas of energy and the economy and the environment.”
The Ministry of Environment and Parks has scheduled meetings with school boards to discuss the impact of the carbon levy.
"Our schools are, in many ways, on the frontlines of action on climate change. Our kids know how important this issue is and we want schools to do their part in reducing the amount of pollution they produce," said ministry spokesperson Kyle Ferguson. " In Budget 2016, our government committed $645 million to establishing a new energy-efficiency program, not just for individuals, but also for organizations, non-profits, charities and others, such as schools."
With files from CTV's Shaun Frenette
