EDMONTON, AB (November 27, 2015): The NDP government is rolling out a $700,000 propaganda campaign promoting their $3 billion carbon tax that will raise the price of everything, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today.
“Spending tax dollars to advertise about a new tax sends the wrong message to Albertans,” Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said. “As Albertans are hurting, seeing their wages drop and losing their jobs, they will be annoyed to learn their tax dollars are being used to advertise this carbon tax instead of being spent on hiring doctors, nurses or teachers.”
When fully implemented, the carbon tax will cost families almost $1,000 more a year with no relief for many middle class Albertans. Reports estimate only $250 million of the $3 billion tax will be returned directly to Albertans.
Together with their advertising for a budget that does little for jobs and the economy, the NDP have already spent $1.4 million trying to sell their high tax and high spending agenda.
Wildrose Shadow Finance Minister Derek Fildebrandt said Albertans are already frustrated that they are going to see their power, heating and gas bills go up, and this ad campaign is just salt in the wound.
“This isn’t the NDP recycling the carbon tax back into Alberta’s economy, it’s them incinerating taxpayer dollars spending even more money on propaganda,” Fildebrandt said. “As Albertans are worried about their jobs, the NDP are spending $1.4 million on partisan ads.”
Wildrose supports legislation to have the Auditor General vet government advertisements to ensure they are not partisan.