Alberta Premier Mulls Sales Tax to Fix Ailing Oil-Based Economy

Prentice says a provincial sales tax is up for discussion as low oil prices continue to bleed billions of dollars from the treasury.
Alberta Premier Mulls Sales Tax to Fix Ailing Oil-Based Economy
Alberta Premier Jim Prentice gives a state-of-the-province address in Edmonton on Dec. 9, 2014. Prentice says a provincial sales tax is up for discussion as low oil prices continue to bleed billions of dollars from the treasury. (The Canadian Press/Jason Franson)
The Canadian Press
1/15/2015
Updated:
1/15/2015

EDMONTON—Alberta’s prideful boast of being the only jurisdiction in Canada without a provincial sales tax may soon be history.

Premier Jim Prentice, after declaring for weeks that a sales tax was off the table, conceded on Jan. 13 that it’s up for discussion as low oil prices continue to bleed billions of dollars from the treasury.

“I don’t think Albertans generally advocate a sales tax, but I’m prepared to be educated and to hear from people,” Prentice told a downtown lunchtime audience.

He told reporters later that a sales tax is not his preferred choice either.

“I’m not embracing a sales tax,” he said. “Let’s be clear—I’ve simply said I want to hear what Albertans think about cost containment, about deficits and about revenue increments to the government.

“Certainly there are people who have views about a sales tax, and I welcome their opinions.”

He said government members will fan out to communities in the coming weeks to hear firsthand from Albertans on what needs to be done, given forecasts that low oil prices may last for several years.

Decisions flowing from those conversations will be reflected in the upcoming budget, Prentice said, but he’s also working on a multi-year plan to balance the books and get Alberta off the roller coaster of fluctuating oil prices.

The government will also listen to arguments on any changes to the tax structure, including Alberta’s 10 percent flat tax on income that critics say benefits the wealthy at the expense of the middle class.

The province, with a $40-billion budget, expects to take in $17 billion in combined corporate and personal income tax this year.

Prentice also said that public-sector workers are among the best paid in Canada and will need to step up in tough times, although he didn’t elaborate.

“We’re going to have to start containing costs and ratcheting costs down, at the same time being innovative and leading the country,” he said.

NDP critic Brian Mason said the Progressive Conservatives have failed for decades to diversify the provincial economy, which has left Alberta perpetually hostage to boom-and-bust cycles.

“After 43 years, the economic and financial mistakes of this government have come home to roost,” Mason said.

“I don’t think that it’s fair, nor do I think people will accept, that the middle class and working families in this province are being asked once again to bear the brunt of the government’s economic mistakes.

“I sincerely hope that they don’t try to (roll back public sector salaries) or we’re going to have a real fight in this province.”

Opposition Wildrose critic Shayne Saskiw said there is no need for new taxes or tax increases.

The budget, he said, contains enough bloat and excess that can be cut without compromising service.

“You can’t tax your way out of a recession,” said Saskiw. “There’s so much waste in this government, we need look at all the waste.”