Large Private Sector Labour Union Warns About Notley’s 38% Tax Hike 

(May 21, 2023) — One of Canada’s largest private sector labour unions is sounding the alarm over NDP Leader Rachel Notley’s plan to drive away investment by imposing a 38 per cent tax hike on Alberta businesses. This means both business and labour groups are now criticizing the NDP promise that would drive away global investment and kill jobs, if implemented, Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche UCP candidate Brian Jean said today.

Last week, the Alberta Chambers of Commerce said it is “deeply concerned” about Notley’s promise to hike taxes by 38 per cent on Alberta businesses and job creators. Now, CLAC, a private sector labour union representing 60,000 members across Canada, says it is also “raising concerns” about the NDP tax-hike plan. “Tax rates have a direct impact on investment and capital investment has a direct impact on jobs. If corporate taxes are raised, it can have the very real effect of moving facilities and jobs out of the country,” the union said.

“It’s telling when both business and labour agree on something. The NDP’s ideological policies will kill investment in Alberta and that means fewer jobs which hurts ordinary working families. This labour union understands that,” Jean said. “The only way for Albertans to keep attracting global investment is to vote for the UCP on May 29. The NDP want to take Alberta backwards with more of the same failed policies. We’re moving Alberta forward.”

Jean pointed out that when Notley raised business taxes in 2015, she brought in less and less business tax revenue as investment fled the province for other jurisdictions. Under the UCP’s 8 per cent business tax rate, however, Alberta is seeing record high business tax revenue of $6.4 billion this year as the economy continues to grow and diversify.

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