Article content

The opposition is being accused of spreading “patently false” information and muddying public discourse about Alberta’s carbon tax.

A meme floating around social media claims Albertans’ home heating bills will increase by 75 per cent thanks to a carbon tax hike Jan. 1.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 'Patently false': Minister slams opposition claims on carbon tax hike Back to video

The meme is authored by Alberta Can’t Wait, a political action committee that backed conservative unity and, now, the United Conservative Party and its leader Jason Kenney. Its contents have been shared thousands of times, drawing a mix of ire, frowny-face emojis and condemnation.

But there’s one small problem — it’s wrong. Here’s why.

But I thought the carbon tax rises next year?

You’re right, it does. However, Alberta’s carbon tax adds a set dollar amount to the price of gas, not a percentage hike. On Jan. 1, the tax on natural gas will increase by about 50 cents per gigajoule, to $1.52 from $1.01. But the carbon tax only applies to the natural gas portion of your bill — not the delivery or transmission costs, franchise fees or those other weird charges. (If your bill is anything like ours, those charges equal more than the cost of the gas. But that’s a story for another day.)