EDMONTON, AB: With Alberta plunging in a global index that measures the best jurisdictions for companies to invest in oil and gas, the NDP must immediately scrap its massive $3 billion carbon tax and reverse other damaging energy policies, the Wildrose Official Opposition said.
According to the annual Fraser Institute study, Alberta plummeted 18 spots and now sits 43rd out of 96 energy-producing jurisdictions. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, moved up in the list, and is now a top-five jurisdiction for energy investment in the world.
“The NDP can’t keep blaming international oil prices for the state of our economy,” Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said. “Policy matters, and Saskatchewan is doing a very good job attracting investment in this low-price environment with smart, stable economic policies. The NDP could do the same here, but is instead choosing to pursue risky experiments like a $3 billion carbon tax that will push even more jobs and investment out of our province.”
Last week, Wildrose called on the NDP government to implement a five-step plan to halt damage to the energy sector by stopping bills 25 and 27, reversing tax hikes on emitters, ending litigation against ENMAX and reversing changes to the province’s electricity grid.
British Columbia, Newfoundland, Manitoba and Saskatchewan all received higher rankings for competitiveness among Canadian provinces.
“These troubling figures are all too familiar. Last year, our province fell ten spots on this same list, when the NDP was introducing a lot of its risky economic ideas for the first time,” Aheer said. “Now, we’ve fallen almost twice that amount, as the NDP’s reckless, anti-jobs ideas take hold.”