EDMONTON, AB: Late last night, the NDP government voted unanimously against providing rebates or exemptions to charities from the dramatic cost increases associated with the Carbon Tax, the Wildrose Official Opposition said today.
The amendment moved by Wildrose Shadow Human Services Minister Angela Pitt would have mandated a rebate for all registered charities across the province who will see costs rise due to the Carbon Tax.
“The costs of the carbon tax will have a broad impact, whether on the higher costs to provide shelter for those suffering from addictions or homelessness, or to pay for fuel that helps provide emergency services,” Pitt said. “The NDP owe Albertans across our charity sector an explanation for why they just made life more difficult for charities right across our province.”
In defense of voting in favour of increasing taxes on charities, NDP Environment Minister Shannon Phillips only offered up the opportunity for charities to qualify for energy efficiency rebates.
Wildrose Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon, who holds extensive charitable and non-profit experience, said it’s clear the NDP did no consultation with charities about the full impact of the carbon tax.
“Every dollar spent going from charities to the carbon tax is a dollar not going to help Albertans in need,” Nixon said. “The NDP did not do any analysis of the full cost to our non-profit sector, and the offer of an energy efficiency program will do little to nothing to immediately help charities who will suffer under this tax.”