Courtesy UCP You Tube

By Regan Tate and rdnewsNOW Staff

UCP promising to reduce taxes as election campaign officially gets underway

May 1, 2023 | 11:22 AM

The writ has officially been issued for a provincial election on May 29th.

Alberta’s chief electoral officer, Glen Resler confirmed the news this morning.

On this first official day of the campaign, the United Conservative Party is promising to reduce taxes for all Albertans.

Speaking in Calgary and joined by several UCP candidates, leader Danielle Smith announced that if re-elected, her party will create a new 8% tax bracket. The UCP says this means every Albertan earning $60,000 or more will save $760-over $1,500 per family. Albertans earning less than $60,000 will see a 20% reduction to their provincial tax bill under this tax cut.

“This permanent, billion dollar tax cut will result in real and significant savings that can be put towards housing, life’s other necessities, planning for the future, or whatever else is a priority for Albertans. After all, it’s your money. You earned it, not the government,” said UCP Leader Danielle Smith.

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The UCP is also pledging to extend the Fuel Tax Holiday until December 31, 2023, ensuring Albertans save 13 cents per a litre at the pump. This is a savings of around $10, on average. United Conservatives will also continue to index all tax brackets to keep up with inflation.

Citing, a memo from the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the UCP says the average Alberta family will pay $710 out of pocket on the carbon tax this year. By 2030, the NDP-Liberal coalition will be picking an additional $2,000 a year out of the pockets of Albertans with their carbon tax. United Conservatives will not stand for this. A UCP government will work to axe the carbon tax altogether because the best way governments can help address affordability is by ensuring you, the taxpayer, keep more money in your pocket.

“The choice in this election couldn’t be clearer. It’s a choice between a UCP government that will cut your taxes and make life more affordable and an NDP government that will make you pay more across the board – from taxes, to fuel, to groceries, and beyond,” said Smith. “It’s a choice between moving Alberta forward and building a brighter future or returning to the NDP’s costly and failed policies. We can’t afford to go back.”

“We need to continue growing the Alberta Advantage so our province remains the best place in the world to raise a family and build a business,” said Smith. “That means having a responsible plan for spending, growth, and stability that keeps taxes low and the cost of living affordable. Together, we will build a stronger, more resilient and more prosperous Alberta today and for our future generations.”

The Alberta Liberal also unveiled their plan to address inflation and make life more affordable for Albertans.

Leader John Roggeveen stated, “Inflation and the rising cost of living have made Alberta less affordable. While Alberta can’t control the global factors that have led to inflation, the Alberta government can and should take action to ease the burden on Albertans.

“We want to see the existing affordability programs expanded and improved upon. They are a good start but are insufficient to address the financial pressures many Albertans face. The electricity rebate program, for example, is poorly designed and leaves behind certain renters. It must be retooled. The current government’s program leaves out many vulnerable people who don’t fit within the government’s narrow focus for subsidies.

“We are also calling for an end to all school fees. It’s time to stop nickel-and-diming parents. Public education should be just that, public.

“We need to develop a provincial strategy to address childcare spacing shortages to take full advantage of the federal $10-a-day childcare program.

“To address affordability in the long run you must look at housing. We are calling for a doubling of the funding for building and maintaining public affordable housing. In addition, we support working with municipalities and developers to fast-track the development of more housing projects with a focus on housing for low and middle-income Albertans and in places that are most in need.

“Albertans are being faced with undesirable choices. Both financially and electorally. Alberta Liberals are working hard to give them better choices this election.”

The full Alberta Liberal Affordability Platform can be found here.