Altering the Tax Mix in Alberta

Stepping off the resource royalty roller-coaster and adopting a more equitable and efficient tax system has an important role to play in addressing Alberta’s fiscal problems and promoting prosperity. Such a system would have several components. One would be a reduction in the corporate tax rate from 12 to eight per cent, which the UCP government has already announced. Another would be to maintain the full provincial carbon tax imposed by the previous NDP government, but ensure that it is revenue neutral. The progressive rate structure in personal income tax should be also be maintained, with a tax cut for the middle class. Finally, a harmonized provincial sales tax should be adopted.