Still no date set for Alberta electricity rebates as MLAs sent home early
The spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature wrapped up two weeks earlier than expected Thursday with the NDP continuing to hammer the government on a promise to deliver utility rebates to Albertans.
"The UCP removed the rate cap on electricity and now the bills hitting Albertans' doorsteps are hundreds of dollars higher. The price of natural gas has hit a 30-year high," MLA Kathleen Ganley said.
"Over 13 weeks of sitting in the legislature, obsessing over their leadership, the UCP has yet to do anything about this…Not a single Albertan has gotten a rebate so far and the government still can't give Albertans a straight answer about when they will."
The UCP first announced rebates on natural gas in February and electricity in March.
While Bill 18, the Utility Commodity Rebate Act has now passed, Government House Leader Jason Nixon said the details are still being ironed out.
"My understanding is that you're going to hear more from minister Savage and minister Nally in the coming days on when that will finally take place," Nixon told reporters.
"What I have been briefed on is that Albertans will see this reflected on their bill very shortly," he added, saying that cost of living increases were a top priority for his government.
The UCP has promised a total rebate of $150 per customer, provided their electricity use is under 250-megawatt hours per year.
The province has also said that rebates will kick in if regulated natural gas rates exceed $6.50 per gigajoule between Oct. 1 and March 31, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Ontario urges mpox testing amid spike in cases
Ontario health officials are urging public health units to test for mpox, the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, amid a spike of confirmed cases in the province.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
'Don't expect any deals:' Expert says stores may not offer steep discounts on post-Easter chocolate
Those looking to snap up cheap treats at their local grocery store next week following the Easter long weekend could be in for a bit of a surprise as the rising cost of cocoa continues to drive up the price of chocolate, one expert says.