Alberta to issue $100 payments within two weeks of application

Alberta's government is set to distribute $100 affordability payments to nearly 3.4 million residents, Premier Danielle Smith announced Wednesday. The payments are intended to help Albertans cope with the high cost of living, a measure the government opted for instead of reducing gasoline taxes. Smith stated that gas tax cuts are not always passed on to consumers, making direct payments a more effective aid.

The program targets Albertans with a maximum household income of $225,000 or less. Applications will open online on July 1, with the provincial government expecting to disburse the funds within two weeks of an application being processed. The government's decision to implement these payments was influenced by soaring fuel prices, which have boosted Alberta's energy royalties and triggered the province's quarterly relief program.

Finance Minister Jason Nixon's office confirmed the two-week processing time, which includes verification and transfer procedures. The announcement comes as the province aims to provide financial relief amidst economic pressures.

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Smith says cuts to gas taxes don’t always get passed on to consumers, so the payments are the best way to help Albertans with the high cost of living.