So the price of gas at the pumps has jumped up and many people are already clamouring about the new carbon tax.
Conveniently being overlooked is the fact the increase largely occurred just in time for the holidays ó because big oil has never been known to gouge consumers at the pumps during national vacation periods and long weekends.
Oh wait, that's actually precisely what the industry always does!
Of the roughly 20-cent increase at the pumps we've all recently seen, only about five cents can be attributed to the carbon tax. The rest is the industry simply taking advantage of the fact people drive more at this time of year as they visit family and friends.
Let's also not be bothered to remember the last time the price at the pumps was anywhere near this high almost 10 years ago, the cost per barrel was actually more than double what it is now.
Yet instead of grilling the industry over why the price at the pump is almost as expensive today as when the barrel was worth more than $100 despite the fact the barrel is now barely more than $50, pointing the finger at the carbon tax and laying the blame on the NDP seems much easier.
With all the rancour directed at the Notley Crue, one might almost be left under the erroneous impression that the provincial government somehow single-handedly determines the global demand and cost of oil.
The price of gas at the pumps aside, many people remain concerned about the increased cost of consumer goods, which will amount to about $50-$70 per person in 2017.
However, approximately two-thirds of Albertans will actually receive a full rebate for the carbon tax ó this includes any household with a single net income of $47,500 or less, as well as couples or families who earn $95,000 or less. Many more will receive partial rebates.
And there is no need to even apply ó Albertans who submitted a 2015 tax return and are under the cut-off will automatically receive a cheque in the mail starting this month.
Additionally, people who strive to reduce their energy consumption stand to gain. So perhaps instead of cranking up the heat to tropical levels in the middle of a deep freeze, more Albertans will instead keep a modest indoor temperature and wear a sweater.
As has already been demonstrated by the need to impose deposits on certain recyclable products, just about the only way to encourage people to reduce their environmental impact is to provide a financial incentive.
Charging consumers a marginal recycling fee that gets refunded has worked out exceedingly well to increase levels of recycling, and no one would argue we are worse off for having less garbage rotting away in our landfills.
In the long run, it will be just as hard to claim we are somehow worse off for having reduced emissions in an effort to leave a cleaner, more responsible legacy for future generations.
ó Simon Ducatel, editor
