CALGARY (660 NEWS) – During an update to Alberta’s ongoing COVID-19 response Monday, Premier Jason Kenney said the government would be reversing the education property tax increase announced in the 2020 budget.
This is in response to the ongoing financial struggle Albertans are facing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Kenney said this would save households $55 million and businesses $32 million a year.
“We want (…) Albertans to understand their provincial government will do everything within its power to ensure a future as we go through this very challenging time created not only by the shutdown of the global economy coming from the pandemic but also as a result of the unprecedented collapse of global energy prices.”
BREAKING: Premier Jason Kenney announces they are reversing the increase to the education tax, stays at 2019 levels.
Saves $55M for homewoners, 32M for business. #YEG #YYC #ABLEG
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 23, 2020
The government will defer its portion of six months worth of the education property tax on non-residential properties.
Employers will only be responsible for 50 per cent of what they would have owed this year.
“Things have changed drastically and Albertans shouldn’t have to worry about a higher property tax level.”
Kenney said that means that over the next six months, $458 million will stay with the employers to help pay employees and keep operating.
Employers will only be responsible for 50% of the property tax due this year, as Kenney says they will deferred for now.
Says over $400M will remain with employers for next months.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 23, 2020
Kenney also announced that they will be deferring workers’ compensation board premiums to help private sector employers.
Small and medium private sector employers will only pay for half of the 2020 workers’ compensation premiums and the government will cover the other half.
“This is important because as so many businesses shut their doors this month in response to the public health crisis, we need those employers to know that we’re not going to drain their bank accounts from payments.”
Worker Comp premiums also being deferred for employers, but will not impact workers- the protections will still be in place.
Small and medium sized businesses- the govt is cutting their WCB premiums in half.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 23, 2020
If an employer already paid past their 50 percent, it will be refunded or credited to them upon request.
To limit the possible spread of the COVID-19 virus, Kenney reiterated the mandatory isolation period for those entering the country.
“We will not tolerate people coming in from overseas and then mixing with the general population. They would be threatening public health in Alberta. I cannot emphasize this strongly enough,” said Kenney.
Kenney on tens of thousands of snowboards coming home-
Self-isolate IMMEDIATELY upon returning to Alberta- don’t go to the grocery store, kennel, seeing the grandkids.
Whether youre driving home or coming via airport, GO HOME RIGHT AWAY.
“We will not tolerate (this)”#yeg
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 23, 2020
In light of the COVID-19 precautions in place, Kenney warned against possible COVID-19 scams where an unknown caller gets into contact with someone at home at intimidates them into giving up personal information.
On those disgusting COVID scams- such as the one about telling someone they have COVID and asking for personal info- Kenney says exercise caution in these cases, especially if they are unsolicited.
Go to https://t.co/OEUd30DacZ for actual info.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 23, 2020
Kenney said they are still seeking support from the federal government to prevent total economic collapse.
Kenney says they’re asking other govts for supplementary equipment.
Needs feds to step up in an unprecedented way to keep the economy from complete collapse. Points to size of UK, US packages- wants Canada to meet that level, per capita.
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) March 23, 2020
