Alberta shows discontentment over Carbon tax

The rally was staged outside Mcdougall centre in downtown Calgary.

Around 250 demonstrators wearing Alberta flags as capes, and holding homemade signs like "Welcome to Albertzuela" at the outside of the road.

Some enthusiasts even donned "Make America Great" hats and wore Donald Trump T-Shirts for the event.

The protesters all over Alberta launched, sign a petition campaign in order to oppose the impending provincial carbon tax proposal slated for implementation from the beginning of the new year.

Giving her reaction to Calgary Sun, Dory Glover, a Wildrose supporter said "I am really worried about how I'm even going to pay to heat my house. Am I going to choose between food and heat?"

Starting January 1, 2017 all greenhouses gas emitting fuels would come under the purview of Carbon Tax, including natural gases, propane, and diesel.

While government estimation assumed $191 for single person and $338 for four member family per year for tax, such calculation was vehemently opposed by the opposition parties who said numbers could be much more higher.

However, Government assured rebates to give some relief to consumers.

From January 1,2017, the chargeable rates will be $20 per tonne and $30 from a year later.

Though families and businesses would face more taxes but this would help reducing greenhouse gases by encouraging communities to reduce emissions by using fuel efficient transportation, utilizing public transit, and by replacing fuels that emitting greenhouse gases when combusted.

Dwayne Corteau, a data scientist by profession and a Wildrose supporter, who had been leading the rally said, "the big reason the petition originally started was due to the lack of public consultation" before the carbon tax being levied.

Prasad Panda, an ex-Suncor Energy employee and currently a MLA of Wildrose Party from Calgary Foothills, was one of the main speakers at the rally, who had been encouraging people to fight against Carbon tax.

"We are trying to stop the (NDP's) risky ideologist policy everyday" Panda said.

The wildrose petition as reported by Calgary Sun, had collected 1.313 signatures out of targeted half-a-million signatures was set to be collected and submitted by 31st December.

Meanwhile in Edmonton large crowds rallied in front of Provincial Legislature Building and rallies had also been held at Grand Prairie, Lethbridge and Red Deer where people raised their voices for referendum on proposed carbon tax.

(Reporting by Chandan Som)