LETHBRIDGE, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Alberta government to cut the fuel tax to zero immediately instead of forcing taxpayers to apply for rebates.

“This government is not keeping its promise to cut fuel taxes next month and these $100 rebates are not enough to provide real relief at the pumps,” said Kris Sims, CTF Alberta Director. “Finance Minister Jason Nixon should start things off right in his new role and drop the Alberta fuel tax down to zero instead of playing games with rebates.”

The Alberta government announced Wednesday that Albertans will be able to apply for rebate payments of $100 per adult, but the government would not cut the provincial fuel tax, as regulations had stipulated.

The provincial fuel tax in Alberta adds 13 cents per litre of gasoline and diesel.

Alberta’s fuel tax relief program adjusts the provincial fuel tax based on the price of oil.

Once oil prices are more than $90 USD per barrel, the entire 13 cent per litre fuel tax is to be suspended. When prices are above $80, partial gas tax cuts are required.

The price for a barrel of oil surpassed $90 USD at the beginning of March, spiking to $112 USD per barrel in April and the price remained over $80 USD since.

Fully suspending the provincial fuel tax would save drivers about $10 when they fill up a minivan and about $15 when they fill up a pickup truck. Big rig truck drivers would save more than $100 when they fill their tanks with diesel.

If the government suspended the fuel tax starting Monday, an Alberta family with two vehicles filling up once a week would save more than $350 by the end of September. Businesses would also save money with a fuel tax cut because the cost of diesel would be cheaper.

Wednesday’s announced rebate pays $100 per person, plus people will need to register on a government portal to ask for some of their money back.

“Prime Minister Mark Carney fully suspended the federal fuel tax in April, saving people 10 cents per litre, so it’s bizarre to see the Alberta government play games with rebates and instead of sticking to its plan to cut fuel taxes,” said Sims. “Instead of forcing Albertans to apply for rebate cheques, the Alberta government should just cut gas taxes.”

-30-