Albertans mixed on NDP climate plan

CALGARY A new poll shows twothirds of Albertans oppose the NDP government’s new broadbased carbon tax but narrowly support its plan to quickly phase out coal-fired power.

The survey by Lethbridge College’s Citizen Society Research Lab shows opposition among Albertans to the carbon tax, which comes into effect on Jan. 1, at 67.2 per cent.

A majority of poll respondents — 52.5 per cent — consider themselves strongly opposed.

The tax, which is aimed at lowering Alberta’s Canada-leading greenhouse gas emissions and helping to win support nationally for new pipeline projects, has 32.8 per cent support.

Faron Ellis, the Lethbridge College political scientist who oversees the poll, said the NDP government is taking a political risk as the tax is already prompting a negative reaction before Albertans start paying.

“History is not on the side of the government,” he said. “Taxes tend to be more popular before they’re implemented.”

The carbon tax is part of a suite of policies the NDP government says will lower projected emissions growth by 50 megatonnes by 2030, stabilizing Alberta’s greenhouse gas production at current levels.

The climate strategy also includes a plan to end the use of coal-fired power in the province by 2030.

The Lethbridge College poll shows that 52.5 per cent of Albertans support the accelerated coal phase-out, compared to 47.5 per cent who are opposed.

Ellis noted the potential impact of the coal plan on Albertans is yet to be determined.

In her state-of-the-province address Wednesday in Calgary, Premier Rachel Notley made it clear the government won’t blink on its climate policies.

She noted that 60 per cent of the province’s power currently comes from coal.

“Our province is by far the biggest coal pollution emitter in Canada,” said Notley. “That is going to end.” Details of the government’s plan, including compensation for companies that own six plants that would have continued operating past 2030 without the phase-out, will be released in the fall.