Calgary 
Premier Danielle Smith during a televised provincial address today outlined a few measures to help residents during the current period of high inflation.
The Alberta government will be implementing a series of affordability measures under the Inflation Relief Act and provide targeted relief for seniors, the vulnerable and families.
The measures announced by Smith include:
- $600 over six months for seniors and families with dependent children under 18 years of age of families with annual household incomes below $180,000. (Application opens on January 18th, 2023)
- $600 for vulnerable Albertans collecting AISH and PDD and income support.
- Re-index AISH, PDD, income support, the Seniors benefit and the Alberta Child and Family benefit, to inflation beginning January 2023. (Details)
- Re-index all provincial tax brackets retroactively to 2022.
- Suspend the entire provincial fuel tax for at least the next 6 months. After six months, the current staged fuel relief program will be made permanent.
- An increased rebate on consumer electricity bills through the winter months totalling an additional $200 per household.
- Limit spikes in winter electricity rates and continue with the current rebate. In December, rebates will be given if the monthly rate rises above $6.50/gigajoule.
Danielle Smith also promised to invest in food banks and expand low-income transit passes.
The premier during the provincial address said, “As a province, we can’t solve this inflation crisis on our own, but due to our strong fiscal position and balanced budget, we CAN offer substantial relief, so Albertans and their families are better able to manage through this storm.”
Further details of how to apply for the $600 monetary relief are expected to be announced once the Inflation Relief Act is passed in the legislature.
what date is the payment
The application is now open. Payment depends on the month you apply.
Looks like a vote-buy to me. If it were a genuine concern, the payments wouldn’t extend beyond the provincial election. This is certainly a new Smith this time around. I may have to hold my nose and vote NDP. Alas, a choice between terrible and worse.
At least she is willing to give it a try! That is more than the NDP has done or planned to do with the billions they squandered to help get Alberta into this mess! Federal Gov’t is Worse having People “Not Elected” teaming their unwanted resources of numbers to impose unwanted will on the people is criminal! We vote for people not numbers! Smith at least will stand up for Alberta ! Feds, ”
“0
“0” Liberal/ “0”NDP Alliance and “0”Notley still ad up to “0” Zero for Alberta. “Give her “Smith” a chance”
my son works full time and choses not to have children, why is he eliminated
I worked for Geological consultant J.Wm. Kerr & Associates in ’85 / 86′ on the Hibernia and scotian shelf exploration phase (now mega industry output); I was the poster boy for Diamond activity in western Canada 1994 – producing 33,000 copies that went to world wide investors (100 Billion $); and 1998 Map of 2/3 of Yukon – see nat’l. Geographic 2010? article which called it the largest geochemical exploration program in the world. So I helped create investment in 10’s of thousands jobs for canadians and I’m on alberta AISH program since sept. 2000 because a landlord flipping an apartment re-did hardwood floor (urethane finish) and blinded me over night. I called police to complain – but now have to get a grapefruit sized lump (called a Schwanoma) operation and may not swallow or talk the same. $600 for 6 months – I’ll apply for it when legeslature passes it.
AMEN
What she’s going to do after the election if she gets elected for FOUR years? This is just to sweeting us up for now and vote for her maybe? Why not give the 600 dollars to us Seniors now around Christmas?
people who are on AISH complaining, remember that people on welfare are living on less than half what you get.
As these measures are good news for us but it’s a short term solution what comes after that? Am sure food prices will still rise and the bills won’t stop? As prices of medicines are also going up
So to receive this “generous” benefit we must apply ! On a system designed to crash without a doubt!! And once again seniors without access to a computer will miss out again!!! Nice!!!
So $100 a month for 6 months? the Minister does know the real cost of living, some of us lost in jobs 3 years ago, and we can barely afford a meal per day, I don’t know in which town here in Alberta, should we go buy some cheap groceries? At the food bank, we can’t get fruits and veggies, they have sweets, and bread. this big organization is doing great, but needs help, to help others.
Looking at some of the comments and think people should go to the food bank instead of starve. Play some thing on your heating bill even if it’s $20 because they can’t cut your head off. And basically if you’re not making 120,000 household income you will qualify whether you have children or not you don’t have to be a senior. The largest detail of all is it’s not finalized so don’t start worrying yet.
Considering this $600 is not going to every individual, perhaps there should be more varied criteria to qualify (or not)? IMHO, the 180k seems quite high and what about the families without kids that are struggling, they just don’t get any assistance at all?
$17:00 increase for seniors yippie can’t wait !!!
Now what am I going to buy with my $17:00
Why let’s see a steak ?No takes are $23:00 a kg so not much for $17:00
Well let’s see if I don’t eat breakfast or lunch I can buy chicken for supper and some noodles
Thanks Minister you doing a fine job
This is $600 paid over 6 months? That doesn’t add up to much per month. Or am I not reading this right. And where do we apply?
I am on AISH can’t afford to live on my own. Manage to buy enough food so I can eat only 1 meal day. Due to the amount I receive and what I can buy I have developed diabetes, because I can’t buy lettuce and healthy foods.
Please hurry with the $600.00 before we starve and freeze to death