A new Mainstreet/Postmedia poll finds strong opposition to a the proposed carbon tax. 66% of Albertans are opposed to the new tax, and overall, 68% oppose the province’s climate plan. Views are mixed however on individual components aside from the carbon tax.
“We’ve consistently found opposition to new taxes in Alberta, even with the current economic climate, so it comes as no surprise that most are against the climate plan – and in particular, the carbon tax,” said Quito Maggi, President of Mainstreet Research.
The carbon tax would add $900 to household costs by 2030 as Albertans pay more for home heating and gasoline.
“Support for the climate plan is strongest in Edmonton where 50% approve of the plan and 36% oppose it. In Calgary 37% support the plan (55% oppose) and outside the two major cities only 25% support the plan while 58% oppose it. We continue to see strong regional differences in Alberta among this and other issues,” Maggi said.
After revealing the strategy, Premier Notley said she was confident her government has a mandate for the sweeping climate strategy, having won the May election with commitments to take action on greenhouse gas emissions.
“Albertans are more or less split on other components of the plan. 50% oppose the switch to renewable power while 44% support it – only a 6% difference; providing compensation to coal power energy plans is supported by 37% but opposed by 33% – a 4% margin; and using money collected from the carbon tax to eliminate the deficit is supported by 43% and opposed by 37% – another 6% difference,” said Maggi.
“For now at least Albertans are not convinced the climate plan will help win approval for new pipelines – but if any pipelines are in fact approved in the near future, it would be a big win for Alberta’s NDP and they could certainly frame it to their benefit,” commented Maggi.
The NDP platform promised leadership on climate change and a phase-out of coal power, but made no mention of a carbon tax.