CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

New polling

Barnes wants Kenney to be clear about no PST or other tax increases

Mar 12, 2021 | 3:13 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Drew Barnes is calling on the premier and the United Conservative caucus to “unequivocally denounce” a provincial sales tax in Alberta.

Polling released by the Angus Reid Institute today that found the majority of Albertans, 62 per cent, say the province shouldn’t ever introduce a PST in any form.

“I have always, stood in opposition to a PST, and any other tax increases. It is reassuring that a majority of Albertans also do not support a PST and value free enterprise, family and smaller government,” reads a letter to Premier Jason Kenney from Cypress-Medicine Hat UCP MLA Drew Barnes.

“It is time for us to clearly state at this point, and into the future to Albertan taxpayers, that the UCP government will not consider a PST or any other tax increases,” says Barnes.

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The Canadian Taxpayers Federation shares the same opinion as Barnes.

“Another poll shows that Albertans are dead set against a crippling provincial sales tax,” said Franco Terrazzano, the CTF’s Alberta Director. “Albertans don’t want a PST and it’s time for Premier Jason Kenney to completely shut the door on the out-of-touch calls for a sales tax so we can all focus on more important priorities.”

Nearly two in five Albertans – 38 per cent – would support a tax at various levels from one to more than five per cent.

Eighteen per cent polled say the government should bring in a PST of one to two per cent and 17 per cent say Alberta should bring in a PST of three to five per cent. Three per cent support the idea of a PST higher than five per cent.

The idea of a PST is more popular with younger Albertans. More than half of those polled between the ages of 18 and 34 support a PST introduction of at least one to two per cent. On the other hand, a majority of those ages 35-54 (63 per cent) and 55 and older (76 per cent) are opposed to it.

The poll found supporters of the NDP are much more inclined to support the PST. Two-thirds (64 per cent) of those who say they would support Rachel Notley’s party if an election were held also say that they would support some version of this tax.

The Notley NDP now leads Kenney’s UCP by the slightest of margins in vote intention, 41 to 38 per cent respectively.