It’s simple economics…rising input costs lead to higher prices for consumers. And the recent 23 percent hike in the federal carbon tax and the reinstatement of Alberta’s provincial fuel tax has become a hard pill to swallow for Alberta’s producers, business owners and consumers alike. Co-owner and pitmaster of Lethbridge BBQ joint, Hickory Street, Devynn Bohn says, she is dreading the thought of passing the additional costs on to her customers.
As for consumers, it’s not just at the pumps where the pinch will be felt. Director of Alberta Grains and Farms, David Bishop says, the carbon tax hike is affecting the input costs for food producers.
And for Bohn, the hike in costs is just the latest of back-to-back hurdles her business has suffered over the last four years.
The two-fold tax hit is not sitting well with Albertans, some of whom have begun protests, urging the federal government to end the carbon tax.