Alberta is returning nearly $1 billion to taxpayers to defray the high cost of energy.
All Albertans over the age of 16 will receive two rebates of $150 each in November and April to cover soaring costs of gasoline, home heating and power bills.
“Today it’s payback time for some of the tough times we’ve had in the last few years,” premier Ralph Klein said during a Calgary news conference Sept. 6.
The money will automatically go to all Alberta residents older than 15 who filed an income tax return in 1999. It is non-taxable and may be spent any way recipients choose.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
About 2.2 million people are eligible for the rebates. The program will cost $690 million.
The first cheque will go to people who lived in Alberta as of Aug. 31, 2000. The second one will go to residents as of April 1, 2001.
Those who did not file a return or moved to Alberta since they filed a return should call toll free at 310-4455 or write to the Government of Alberta, Box 1333, Edmonton, Alta. T5J 2N2.
An electricity rebate program worth $240 million starts Jan. 1, 2001.
All residential and rural electricity customers in Alberta will receive a $20 a month rebate on their power bill for the entire year. This should cover about a third of the average householder’s bill. The money comes from the recent electricity auction that raised $1.1 billion. Power consumers in Alberta may soon choose what company provides them with electricity.
Biggest piece of pie
Farm, industrial and commercial customers, who are the largest consumers of electricity, will receive the remaining share of the money this fall. The province plans to meet with stakeholders to determine how to distribute the industrial rebate.
Electricity costs have doubled in the last year and the commodity price for natural gas hit a record $6 per gigajoule Sept. 6 with no relief in site.
While soaring energy costs have been burdensome for householders and businesses, the province has benefited from higher oil and gas royalties. A $5 billion revenue surplus is anticipated this fall. Most will be applied to the provincial debt, drawing it down to $8 billion down from $12.5 billion.
