Alberta environment minister to host telephone town halls on climate plan

Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips is hosting telephone town halls Tuesday and Wednesday for Albertans to learn more and ask questions about the province's climate leadership plan.

In a news release, Phillips said the town halls are an opportunity for Albertans to learn more about "our made-in-Alberta solution to the very real issue" of climate change.

"It is also a chance to hear directly from Albertans about their ideas, questions and concerns as we move together into a new era of climate leadership."

• 63% of Albertans oppose NDP carbon tax, poll suggests

Beginning Jan. 1, the NDP government is putting in place a $20-per-tonne carbon levy on heating and transportation fuels, including diesel, gasoline, natural gas and propane.

The levy will increase to $30 per tonne by Jan. 1, 2018.

On gasoline, the levy will be 4.49 cents per litre, increasing by another 2.25 cents per litre on Jan. 1, 2018.

The levy on natural gas will be $1.01 per gigajoule, increasing by another 51 cents per GJ on Jan. 1, 2018.

Impacts of the carbon tax will vary depending on household energy use and driving patterns.

Six in 10 households to get rebate

The government says six in 10 Alberta households will get a rebate that covers the average cost of the carbon levy.

The Tuesday night town hall is for people in northern Alberta. The Wednesday event is aimed at the southern part of the province.

The calls will run from 7 p.m. until 8:15 p.m.

Publicly listed phone numbers that are not on the national do not call list will be dialled, and people will be asked to take part.

Other Albertans, including cellphone users, can participate by dialling 1-855-808-5160 starting at 6:45 p.m.

Phillips will make opening remarks before a moderated question-and-answer session.

It will also be possible to listen and ask questions online.