Alberta sticking to its gas tax formula as Ottawa announces cut amid high prices

The Alberta government says it won’t axe its fuel tax yet, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced federal measures to give Canadians relief at the pumps.

Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner says he supports Ottawa’s move but that the province is sticking with its existing fuel tax at least until July in part because prices are so unpredictable.

The province’s current relief program would eliminate the tax of 13 cents per litre if the average benchmark North American West Texas Intermediate price remains at or above US$90 per barrel through portions of May and June.

Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has been calling on Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservatives to drop the levy, since the military conflict in the Middle East sent energy costs soaring.