Affordability Action Plan (2023)

Update: Drivers pay even less at the pump now that the entire provincial fuel tax is suspended as part of the Affordability Action Plan.

How it works

• From January 1 to June 30, 2023, the entire fuel tax will be lifted so drivers save:
  • 13cents per litre on gasoline and diesel
  • 4cents per litre on marked gasoline and diesel
• After June 2023, the fuel tax relief program will be reviewed every quarter based on the average price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI).
  • Fuel tax will be suspended when prices exceed $90 and restored when prices fall below $80.
  • Fuel tax will be applied partially when prices are between $80 and $90 – at 4.5 cents per litre from $85 to $89.99 and 9 cents per litre from $80 to $84.99.
  • Fuel tax will not increase more than 9 cents per litre per quarter.
  • The next change to the relief program will occur on July 1 at the earliest.
• Fuel tax is still collected on rail, propane and aviation fuels.
• Learn more about Alberta's fuel tax relief (PDF, 147 KB).

How much drivers will save when filling up

Update: Electricity rebates will be extended to April 2023 as part of the Affordability Action Plan.

How it works now

Many Albertans are facing high electricity bills. To help cover the costs, we are providing $500 in rebates to over 1.9 million homes, farms, and small businesses.

• Monthly rebates will be applied directly to eligible electricity bills, for a total of $500.
  • $50 rebates on power bills from July to December 2022
  • $75 rebates on power bills in January and February 2023
  • $25 rebates on power bills in March and April 2023
• Rebates will be applied each month and will appear as a credit on your bill listed under the "GOA Utility Commodity Rebate"
• Eligible consumers will automatically receive the rebate no application or action is required

Eligibility

• You are automatically eligible for the rebate if you are an electricity customer who:
  • is currently connected to the system and receive a monthly bill directly from a utility provider
  • consumed less than 250 megawatt hours of electricity within the past year
  • disconnected from the system for missed payment but is still enrolled with an electricity retailer
• You are not eligible for a rebate if you:
  • disconnected from the system and are not enrolled with an electricity retailer
  • don't receive monthly bills directly from a utility provider because you live in a sub-metered residence (some condos and apartments); only the main site that connects directly to the distribution system is eligible to receive the rebate, if it consumes less than 250 megawatt hours per year
  • provide yard or street lighting services

Watch out for scams

• The Government of Alberta will not send texts or emails about the rebate program and will not ask Albertans to submit information to receive rebates.

Electricity consumers on the Regulated Rate Option (RRO) will be protected from high power bills this winter as part of the Affordability Action Plan.

How it works

• Consumers on the RRO will not be charged more than 13.5 cents per kilowatt hour in January, February and March 2023.
• Any costs above the 13.5 cent price ceiling will be deferred until rates drop and will be repaid over 21 months (April 2023 to December 2024).
• This is a temporary measure while we explore longer-term solutions for the RRO to help keep energy affordable for Alberta families.

Tip!

• To save even more, find out if switching to a fixed rate is right for you. The current 13-month average is 7.83 cents/kWh. Get unbiased information at UCAhelps.ca.

Update: As part of the Affordability Action Plan, the Natural Gas Rebate program will be extended beyond its current March 30, 2023 end date. Details will be announced in the new year once regulations are tabled.

Current rebate rate

To help Albertans manage higher winter heating costs due to volatile natural gas prices, we're running an energy rebate program from October 2022 to March 2023 to shield consumers from price spikes.

Most Albertans will receive the rebates automatically on their utility bill, but a small number of people not connected to the natural gas system or using other heating fuels will need to apply.

• Highest default monthly natural gas rate (the Alberta price) for February 2023: $3.715 per gigajoule
• No rebate will be credited for the February billing period but price protection is in place and rebates will be offered in March if the monthly rate rises above $6.50/gigajoule.

How it works

• Rebates will be applied directly to all eligible consumers' utility bill if the regulated monthly natural gas rate charged by any one of Alberta's 3 regulated utility providers is above $6.50 per gigajoule.
  • Each month we will post the highest price default natural gas rate (the Alberta price) from the 3 regulated utility providers (ATCO North, ATCO South, and APEX Utilities).
  • If the published Alberta price is above $6.50 per gigajoule, rebates will cover the difference between $6.50 per gigajoule and the regulated rate that calendar month.For example, if the Alberta price is $7.50, eligible consumers would get a rebate on their bill covering $1 for every gigajoule used.
  • Exact timing of the rebates will vary depending on your billing cycle.
• Program runs from the start of October 2022 until the end of March 2023.

Eligibility

• You will automatically receive the rebate on your utility bill if you are a natural gas consumer who:
  • is connected to the system
  • is on either a regulated or competitive plan
  • uses less than 2,500 gigajoules of natural gas annually
• You can receive a rebate if your household, small apartment building, farm, or small industrial or commercial operation is not connected to the natural gas system or uses other heating fuels under the maximum limit:
  • Propane: 16,334 litres per month
  • Heating oil: 10,780 litres per month
  • Kerosene: 11,068 litres per month
  • Non-connected natural gas: 417 gigajoules per month
• Information on rebate application process for non-connected consumers and those using petroleum-based heating fuels will be available soon.

Watch out for scams

• The Government of Alberta will not send texts or emails about the rebate program and will not ask Albertans to submit information to receive rebates.

Questions about your bill

• Contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate at 310-4822 or email[emailprotected]for support if youbelieve you meet the eligibility criteria, but did not get a rebate on your natural gas bill.
• Assistance information for consumers who are not connected to the natural gas system or consume other eligible heating fuels will be listed when the program starts.

Utility costs

• Visit UCA Helpsfor tips to lower your utility costs and save money.

Phishing scams

• The Government of Alberta will not send texts or emails about the rebate program and will not ask Albertans to submit information to receive rebates.
• Be wary of any emails or texts related to the rebates that seem suspicious or ask for personal information.

Financial assistance

• If you're experiencing financial difficulty, programs are available:
  • Seniors Special Needs Assistance Program provides utility arrears coverage once every 3 years
  • Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement Program assists eligible applicants with rental costs
  • Alberta Supports provides an emergency-needs allowance and one-time utility assistance with disconnection notices

Want lower utility bills?

We are increasing monthly benefits for Albertans with disabilities to help with the high cost of living.

How it works

• In 2023, AISH benefits will go up 6%.
• In future years, benefits will be indexed to inflation. This means the amount will change each year so it keeps up with the cost of living.

New monthly rates

Monthly payments vary depending on your needs and family size. The examples below are the maximum monthly core benefit. Supplementary benefits will also go up 6% and be indexed for inflation.

• Core benefits
  • $1,787 – Living allowance
  • $342 – Modified living allowance for those in an approved nursing home, auxiliary hospital or designated supportive living facility
• Child benefits
  • $212 – First dependent child
  • $106 – Each additional dependent child

When payments will go up

• December 22 for the January monthly payment

Need help?

• If you get AISH benefits, call your caseworker or local office.
• For all other questions, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

We are increasing monthly benefits for Albertans out of work to help with the high cost of living.

How it works

• In 2023, Income Support benefitswill go up 6%.
• In future years, benefits will be indexed to inflation. This means the amount will change each year so it keeps up with the cost of living.

New monthly rates

Monthly payments vary depending on your needs and family size. The examples below are the maximum monthly core benefit. Supplementary benefits will also go up 6% and be indexed for inflation.

Table 1: Expected to Work Clients

Table 2: Barriers to Full Employment Clients

When payments will go up

• December 22 for the January monthly payment

Need help?

• If you get Income Support benefits, call your caseworker or local office.
• For all other questions, call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

We are increasing monthly benefits for seniors to help with the high cost of living.

How it works

• In 2023, Alberta Seniors Benefitwill go up 6%.
• In future years, benefits will be indexed to inflation. This means the amount will change each year so it keeps up with the cost of living.

New monthly rates

• $303, up from $286

When payments will go up

• January 25 monthly payment

Need help?

• Call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

We are increasing benefits for families with children to help with the high cost of living.

How it works

• In 2023, Alberta Child and Family Benefit payments will go up 6%.
• In future years, payments will be indexed to inflation. This means the amount will change each year so it keeps up with the cost of living.

New annual rates

Annual Alberta Child and Family Benefit amounts, paid quarterly, vary depending on family size. The examples below are the maximum base amount.

• $1,330 up to $1,450 - one child
• $1,995 up to $2,193 - 2 children
• $2,660 up to $2,920 - 3 children
• $3,325 up to $3,632 - 4 or more children

When payments will go up

• February quarterly payment

Need help?

• Call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.

The rising cost of food is making it harder for Albertans to provide for themselves and their families. Many people are turning to food banks for help.

What we're doing

We are helping local food banks and organizationsput nutritious meals on more tables by providing $20 million in funding over 2 years.

• $5 million each year will be distributed to food banks through the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta.
  • $3 millionto established food banks in December 2022 topurchaseand transport food, and help pay for front line staff.
  • $2 million to eligible civil society organizations through the Food Security Grant.
• $5 million each year will be used to support donation-matching campaigns to encourage more Albertans to donate to their local food bank.
  • We will match up to $5 million in donations received by food banks and related civil society organizations from December 1 to December 31, 2022 through the Donation Matching Grant.

How it works

• Read theFood Security Grant andDonation Matching Grant guidelinesto learn about eligibility criteria and how to apply.
• Applications will be accepted online untilJanuary 31, 2023.
• Applicants will be notified by email by February 28, 2023.
• If you are unable to access the online application, contact[emailprotected].
• We recognizethat our community partners are in the best position to identify and understand local needs.
• Funding provided to each food bank is based on the service area and the number of individuals served.
• Food banks receiving funding were identified based on their participation in Food Banks Canada 2022 Hunger Count.

Need help?

• To find a food bank or charity in your area, call or visit211 Alberta.

Many Albertan will receive a higher refund or owe less tax in 2022, and will benefit from lower tax deductions on the paycheques in 2023.

• Basic personal amounts, other credit amounts and income thresholds will be indexed to inflation.
• Annual basic personal amounts are expected to go up:
  • 2.3% in 2022, an increase from $19,369 to $19,814
  • 6% in 2023, an increase from $19,814 to $21,003
• Around 1.3 million tax filers don't pay any provincial income tax. Nearly 95,000 more Albertans won't have to pay by2023.

Lower overall taxes

Albertans pay less in overall taxes with no PST, no payroll tax or health premium, as well as a low provincial income tax indexed for inflationthat about 40% of Alberta tax filers don'tpay. A couple earning $75,000 with 2 children would pay $1,500 more in B.C. and $3,900 more in Ontario.

Albertans earn more

Alberta workers have the highest weekly earnings ($1,226)in the country, while households have the highest median after-tax income ($104,000), which is $7,000 higher than Ontario and $10,000 higher than BC.

Affordable broadband for all

The Alberta Broadband Strategy will bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to rural Albertans across the province over the next 4 years.

Supporting students

The New Beginnings Bursary provides $5,000 to low-income students studying in high-demand programs to help pay for tuition, fees, supplies and living costs. This financial support does not need to be repaid.

Affordable child care

Families of children 0 to kindergarten-age earning up to $180,000 are noweligible for subsidy to lower child care costs. By 2026, all families will pay an average of $10 per day and 42,500 new licensed spaces will be added so families can choose the care that works for them.

Housing is affordable

Alberta has some of the lowest housing prices and rental costs among Canadian urban centres.A smaller share of income is spent on home ownership costs– 31% in Edmonton and 42% in Calgary vs. the Canadian average of 63%.

Rent assistance

The Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit helps eligible tenants who are low income or between jobs afford their rent while they stabilize or improve their situation.

Affordable school transportation

The Fuel Price Contingency Program will remain in place for the 2022-23 school year to help school authorities cover higher transportation costs, providing millions of dollars in additional student transportation funding.