LEADERS COMMIT RELIEF FROM AFFORDABILITY CRISIS

With Albertans struggling to make ends meet because of soaring inflation, both the UCP-led provincial government, and the official NDP opposition, have announced initiatives to provide relief until the cost of living normalizes. In her first televised speech as premier last Nov. 22, Danielle Smith said her government will do its part to alleviate the affordability crisis and promised prompt action.

Her government has since introduced a series of regulatory and legislative changes and Albertans have been able to benefit from cost cuts and affordability payments since January.

The UCP’s $2.8 billion package involves utility rebates, electricity price protection, indexation of personal income, suspension of the provincial fuel tax, targeted relief payments to families, seniors, and vulnerable Albertans.

The “severity of this crisis has been primarily caused by years of record spending and debt by the federal government in Ottawa, combined with a continual string of anti-energy policies that are driving up the price of fuel, electricity, heating, food and everything else we need to live and raise our families,” Smith said.

“As a province we can’t solve this inflation crisis on our own, but due to our strong fiscal position and balanced budget, we CAN offer substantial relief, so Albertans and their families are better able to manage through this storm.”

NDP leader Rachel Notley welcomed the effort – but argued it’s not nearly enough. Many won’t benefit, especially the young and those who live alone, and she would like to see more meaningful legislation to reduce electricity and utility prices, car insurance, and student tuition. “Instead of free money and one-off cheques, you will see a plan (from an NDP government) to fight inflation for the long-term, lowering your costs and putting more money in your pocket,” Notley said in a recent statement outlining her vision for the province.

Her party also proposed an investigation to review the business practices of large corporate grocers over the last two years to ensure they are not capitalizing on the cost-of-living crisis.

Notley said the UCP is too consumed by drama, such as the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, when most Albertans are worried about inflation, health care and the economy. She said she would make those her priorities if she’s re-elected in the May vote. She also said the UCP should take responsibility for causing some of the hardship, noting some of the relief measures involve the UCP reversing decisions previously made to cut costs.

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