Lloydminster City Council is calling upon the prime minister to pause the next increase in the carbon tax planned for April 1.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers says he is having daily conversations with people who are feeling the pinch of the cost of living. Also, municipalities will need to work out how to provide services in the wake of another increase.
“It would appear the ripple effects of escalating tax burdens have not been fully considered at the federal level, and we – Canada’s municipal leadership – require more time to compile and communicate our challenges. From there, we hope to work with other levels of government to forge solutions that will protect the quality of life for our communities.”
The April 1 increase would see the price on carbon rise from $65 per tonne to $80. It is scheduled to go up another $15 each year until 2030 when it reaches $170 a tonne.
With the Alberta government also removing its 13 cents support on gas at the pump, the price of gas in Lloydminster could rise to about 176.9 per litre on April 1.
Local groups are planning a blockade of Highway 16, east of Lloydminster to begin on April 1 to join with the nation-wide protest against the carbon tax.