Debunking Rebel News: Federal Excise Tax Would Be Paid By American Consumers, Not Alberta Producers

Debunking Rebel News: Federal Excise Tax Would Be Paid By American Consumers, Not Alberta Producers

Rebel News argues that a federal oil export tax would threaten Alberta investment. But economist Ed Hirs and U.S. government data show the cost would be shared among Canadian producers, American refiners and consumers — and some U.S. regions have few alternatives to Canadian crude.

Fact Check: What really threatens Alberta energy investment? A referendum or threat of a federally imposed excise tax in a trade war?

Subhead:An export tax would immediately raise costs, reduce returns for producers and tell investors that Alberta’s largest industry could be sacrificed during Ottawa’s next political fight.#   Opponents of Alberta independence claim the October 19 referendum is driving away investment. Meanwhile, politicians are openly discussing a much more immediate threat: taxing or restricting Alberta’s energy exports. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has suggeste…