Alberta households getting $100 energy rebate this summer
About 3.4 million Albertans earning $225,000 or less in combined household income are eligible. Applications open July 1.
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Albertans earning $225,000 or less in combined household income will receive a one-time $100 energy rebate from the provincial government, Premier Danielle Smith announced Wednesday.
About 3.4 million Albertans — roughly 70 per cent of the population — are eligible for the payment. Applications open on July 1. The rebate is not taxable.
Smith said the rebate replaces the fuel tax relief program that paused all or part of the provincial tax portion of gasoline and diesel when oil prices were high. The rebate will be accessible to all eligible Albertans, whether they drive or not.
"The minister of finance took a look at these options, and we collectively decided that it would be better to do the rebate of these dollars, give more dollars to those who need it the most, and make sure that they're able to use it according to their needs," Smith said.
Finance Minister Jason Nixon said giving people money ensures they get relief instead of relying on gas stations to reduce the price per litre.
Alberta's treasury has benefitted from high oil prices caused by the geopolitical conflict between the United States and Iran. Oil prices rose in response to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key route oil tankers take to deliver product to the rest of the world. The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate oil, the benchmark used by the Alberta government, rose as high as $104 on May 19. U.S. President Donald Trump announced this week that the strait will reopen under terms of an agreement reached with Iran.