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Greg Clark, the Alberta Party leader, alleges that the new carbon tax is already turning into a political payoff scheme.

He claims the NDP will overpay rebates by about $225 million in the first two years of the program, with the largest amount going to the lowest income earners.

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“I have no doubt this is politically motivated, a move to win the loyalty of this group,” Clark alleges. “They’re trying to buy the votes of these people.

“Look, I have no problem at all with low-income people getting a rebate. And I completely agree with a revenue-neutral carbon tax. It can stimulate the growth of new industries to reduce carbon consumption.

“But this is clearly excessive.”

Environment Minister Shannon Phillips scoffs at Clark’s allegations.

“This claim is not at all backed by evidence,” she said in an emailed statement. “It’s a back-of-the-napkin calculation …

“Our rebates are set at very similar levels to what B.C. used when they implemented their carbon price, and those were based on evidence. The most important piece of our plan is that ordinary Albertans are shielded from any of the effects of carbon pricing in these challenging economic times.’’