'Different set of rules than apply to the rest of us': Smith wants federal carbon tax plan answers
The federal carbon tax will increase $15 per tonne to $65 starting April 1, 2023.
It's expected to add about 14.3 cents per litre for Albertans at the pumps, while in Quebec the expected increase is only nine cents per litre.
Ottawa previously announced the tax will increase $15 every year until 2030, when it tops out at $170.
"When the carbon tax is fully implemented Albertans are going to be paying 37 cents a litre in federal carbon tax and Quebec is only going to be paying 23 cents a litre," said Premier Danielle Smith on Tuesday.
"It's absurd to me that SUV drivers in Quebec are going to have cheaper gasoline and diesel prices than Alberta where we produce the product and refine it."
Smith says her new 'Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act' will dive deep into why she feels Alberta is being ripped off by the Trudeau government.
"I don't think it's legitimate for them to have one set of rules that applies to Quebec, and a different set of rules that applies to the rest of us," she said.
Smith tweeted reference to a recent Canadian Taxpayers Federation report, showing Albertans will pay 55 per cent more than Quebec residents at the pumps next year, given the carbon tax increase.
Andrew Leach, a University of Alberta professor of economics, lauds Smith for questioning the disparity.
"The premier is right to highlight this and I think it does present more of a problem for the Prime Minister if it continues," said Leach.
"This isn't just an Alberta versus Quebec issue. This is Ontario versus Quebec, this is B.C. versus Quebec."
Quebec, in contrast to Alberta, has a cap and trade system where the price of emissions in the province fluctuates.
Last week, Alberta was 40 per cent higher when it came to carbon tax compared to Quebec.
Leach adds that if pricing in Quebec stays low, Ottawa will have to make changes.
"From this coming year onwards that benchmarking process has changed," said Leach. "So if Quebec's price remains low, then it will fall to the federal government to step in to call on Quebec in some way."
According to GasBuddy, the average price per litre of regular unleaded fuel in Montreal as of Wednesday was 159.9 cents.
In the Calgary area, the cheapest price of gas was 113.9 cents per litre at the Costco on the Tsuut'ina Nation. Within Calgary, the average price was between 121.9 and 123.9 cents per litre.
Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley says it's unclear how Smith plans to fight Ottawa on the carbon tax with her new bill.
"We've got a UCP government that's simply been shaking its fist at clouds," said Notley. "There are, without question, genuine issues that need attention between our province and the federal government to ensure that Alberta is treated fairly."
Leach says the premier does have an advantage over the prime minister but must be careful when wading into a political fight on the carbon tax.
"I think there's a lot of advantage to Alberta being in the situation where you can look to Quebec and say, you know, Alberta takes a lot of heat for its emissions for its oilsands industry, et cetera, but tell me again, 'Who's taking climate change more seriously?'," said Leach.
"Because if Alberta reduces their emissions or oilsands operation reduces their emissions, they're (Ottawa) getting a benefit that far exceeds if they put those same dollars and achieve the same outcome into an investment in Quebec."
Climate rebate cheques handed out quarterly by the federal government for Alberta in 2023, will increase to $386 for a family of four.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.