Carbon tax in Alberta Alberta faces strong opposition to its climate change plan, fuelled by distaste for carbon tax, new poll says
Ryan Jackson / Edmonton JournalAlberta premier Rachel Notley. The governing New Democrats believe their strategy will improve Alberta's reputation as an energy producer and weaken opposition to pipelines that would boost oilsands production.
Alberta faces strong opposition to its climate change plan — fuelled by distaste for the carbon tax — according to
a new poll that also suggests many in the province doubt the NDP’s claim the plan will lead to pipeline approvals.
The dismal poll numbers from Mainstreet Research are in sharp contrast to the considerable support the government received from environmentalists, First Nations and many oilpatch players for its climate strategy.
The automated telephone survey reveals 68 per cent of those polled were against the climate plan, which introduces a $3-billion carbon tax, accelerates the phaseout of coal-fired power and caps oilsands emissions. About 22 per cent were in favour, while 10 per cent weren’t sure.