Minister of Affordability and Utilities Matt Jones provides details on the provincial government's inflation relief program. (Screengrab from YouTube/Your Alberta

By Justin Goulet/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Province introduces legislation for inflation relief program

Dec 7, 2022 | 3:38 PM

EDMONTON – The provincial government has introduced legislation aimed at offering Albertans some relief from inflation.

If passed, the Inflation Relief Statutes Amendment Act and supporting regulations will enable measures like the expansion of utility rebates and a full suspension of the provincial fuel tax.

The measures make up the provincial government’s Affordable Action Plan, which provides $2.8 billion in targeted relief for residents, according to the government.

Matt Jones, minister of affordability and utilities said, “Our Affordability Action Plan and the enabling legislation and regulations empower our government to provide immediate broad-based relief and targeted supports to families, seniors, and vulnerable Albertans when and where they need it.”

If passed, the act will enable the following measures through legislation:

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• Upcoming targeted relief payments for seniors and families with dependent children under 18 years of age with household incomes below $180,000 a year.
• Upcoming targeted relief payments to vulnerable Albertans who are collecting AISH, PDD and Income Support.
• Indexing the Alberta Child and Family Benefit to inflation, starting on January 1, 2023.
• Protecting consumers on the regulated electricity rate from price spikes in January, February, and March 2023.
• Indexing personal income taxes to inflation, retroactive to the 2022 tax year.
• Suspension of the full 13-cents-per-litre tax on gasoline and diesel from January to June 2023, with the Fuel Tax Relief program providing ongoing relief subject to oil prices thereafter.

Additionally, upcoming regulation amendments will include:

• $200 in additional Electricity Rebates from January to April 2023, bringing total electricity relief from July 2022 to April 2023 to $500.
• Indexing AISH, Income Support, and the Alberta Seniors Benefit to inflation.
• Enhancing the current Natural Gas Rebate to provide permanent Natural Gas Price Protection.

Travis Toews, president of the treasury board and minister of finance said, “Our focus on responsible fiscal management has allowed us to provide this timely response to the affordability challenge that so many Albertans are facing.”

Toews added, “These targeted measures will provide relief at a time Albertans need it most.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jeremy Nixon said, “Low-income Albertans are feeling the impact of increased costs each month.”

Nixon said, “Albertans living with disabilities, seniors and others that rely on fixed incomes need support to get through these difficult times.”

Albertans can learn more about affordability relief programs at the provincial government website.