UCP candidate Toews releases inflation plan, MLA Phillips critical

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on July 20, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

NDP MLA for Lethbridge West Shannon Phillips says Albertans will be paying more and getting less if UCP leadership candidate Travis Toews’ plan to ease inflation is implemented.

On Monday in Grande Prairie, Toews released his plan which includes making permanent the provincial fuel tax and natural gas rebate when energy prices are high.

Toews also wants to introduce a transmission rebate on power bills, provide families with a child tax credit and re-index personal tax credits.

His plan also calls for eliminating the province’s graduated driver’s licence.

In a release, Toews said “anyone who’s been to the gas station or the grocery store lately knows that the cost of virtually everything has skyrocketed and many Albertans are struggling to keep up,” said Toews. “With no help from the federal government in sight, provincial leaders need to step up and provide real relief. My plan will have a measurable impact on some of these cost pressures and put more money back into the pockets of everyday Albertans at a time when they could really use a break.”

The statement said a Toews government would reduce the burden on ratepayers from electricity transmission line overbuilds that were approved by previous governments.

Toews would also introduce a child tax credit of $2,000 per child to help parents with the costs of raising children.

Re-indexing the personal exemption would preserve what Toews calls the province’s tax advantage.

Toews says the graduated licence system is inefficient and doesn’t work with about half a million Albertans who have put off the $500 fee to pay for their third test.

He says the probationary period also prevents younger drivers from getting a Class 1 licence and under his leadership, Albertans with a GDL will automatically be given a full licence when their next renewal is due.

Phillips in a statement of her own said when serving as finance minister, Toews “cut benefits and passed laws ensuring Albertans pay more for income taxes, property taxes, tuition, student loans, electricity, natural gas, car insurance, school fees and more, during the worst inflationary crisis in a generation. The UCP’s billion-dollar tax grab will cost every Alberta family more than $500 a year.”

In her statement, Phillips said the NDP has a “real plan” to fight inflation which will put more money in the pockets of families through higher benefits, “and making sure they keep more of their hard-earned money.

“Instead of UCP mismanagement, Alberta’s NDP will invest today while saving more for future generations,” said Phillips in her statement.

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