'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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.