Energy rebate better approach versus relief at the pumps: Hunter

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Trevor Busch
Commentator/Courier
editor@tabertimes.com

In providing relief on energy prices this summer, the Alberta government took a slightly different approach designed to put funds directly into the pockets of citizens.

Provincial fuel tax relief was replaced by the one-time Alberta Energy Rebate, which provides a direct $100 payment per eligible person to help offset high fuel and living costs. 

Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter explained why his government decided to provide the rebate rather than more traditional methods.

“What we were doing in the past is once WTI got to a certain height or certain level, that would kick in. We would actually subsidize Albertans by taking off a certain amount of the gas tax at the pump. And it has always been argued in all the meetings that I’ve ever been in is that’s (the energy rebate) really the best approach to making sure we get the money into the pockets of Albertans, because there was always a question whether or not we take it off and then the gas companies, or the gas stations just put it back on again, and then Albertans don’t see that benefit.”

Hunter argues the energy rebate puts dollars in the hands of citizens rather than oil companies.

“So that was always the concern. And so, what we did is we made a decision that we wouldn’t actually take it off at the pumps just for the gas stations to put it back on if they chose to, but that we would actually give them directly the money, which is what that $100 is. So giving them directly the money that is going to help them to be able to address some of these high gas costs.”

Applications for the Alberta Energy Rebate are still open until Sept. 30 via the Alberta Energy Rebate portal.