Alberta Minute: Approval Ratings, Disability Program, and the Electric Vehicle Tax

Alberta Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Alberta politics.

This Week In Alberta:

• Starting on Thursday, Alberta will collect a $200 annual tax on electric vehicles (EVs). The tax is designed to offset the fuel tax that EV owners no longer pay, with the government stating that it aligns with the amount paid by drivers of combustion engine vehicles. Finance Minister Nate Horner emphasized that this tax ensures fairness among all drivers and contributes to public services. Hybrid vehicles will not be subject to the tax.
  
  
• A new poll shows that the UCP have seen a significant rise in support. The latest Léger poll shows the UCP leading the NDP by 15%. The UCP are up 4% from 47% to 51% and the NDP are down 7% from 43% to 36% since Naheed Nenshi became NDP Leader in June last year. Premier Smith’s approval rating is also up from 39% to 46%, while Nenshi’s approval has slipped to just 37%.
  
  
• The Alberta Surgical Group is denying allegations that government officials interfered to secure sweetheart deals for private clinics, calling the claims false and not reflective of their values. The accusations stem from a letter by the former CEO of Alberta Health Services, Athana Mentzelopoulos, who alleges she faced pressure to approve contracts for private surgical facilities despite concerns over costs. The Province’s Auditor General is investigating the contracts and potential conflicts of interest related to chartered surgical facilities.

Last Week In Alberta:

• The Alberta government launched an advertising campaign to inform residents about electricity options beyond the newly implemented Rate of Last Resort (RoLR), which started in January 2025 at 12 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate applies to consumers without contracts with one of Alberta’s 50 competitive providers, but the campaign encourages people to explore competitive contracts that could save them hundreds of dollars.
  
  
• The Province announced a new social support program coming in 2026. The Alberta Disability Assistance Program aims to help people with disabilities join the workforce without losing their benefits. The new program will complement the existing AISH program and offer similar financial and health benefits, aiming to address the issue of benefit reductions based on monthly income. Alberta's Advocate for Persons with Disabilities believes the new program will help reduce employment barriers for people with disabilities. Consultations are still ongoing to finalize the details.
  
  
• The federal and provincial governments announced critical funding to assist Jasper, Alberta, in recovering from the devastating wildfire that destroyed over 350 structures last summer. The federal government committed $162 million, including $30 million for interim housing and $9 million for permanent homes, while the Alberta government pledged $8 million to fill a property tax revenue gap caused by the fire. Jasper’s Mayor Richard Ireland described the funding as a lifeline for the community’s recovery.

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