We are pleased to offer the findings vis-a-vis Market-Based Instruments (MBIs) from the Ipsos Reid research conducted in January 2009. These findings are summarized below, and the data is available upon request.
Agreement with the MBIs evaluated is moderate to strong, with pollution taxation being widely backed.
- While Albertans agree that those who pollute more should be subject to higher taxes and those who pollute less should be taxed less, agreement with the concept is stronger with regard to companies (75% agree, 46% strongly agree) than for individuals (64% agree, 35% strongly agree).
- Half of Albertans agree with variable rates for garbage collection – 51% disagree, while 29% agree ‘it is better to charge a flat rate for garbage collection than a variable rate that rewards waste reduction and recycling.’
- Willingness, however, to pay more for electricity from wind power is somewhat lower – 44% agree, while 31% disagree.
With regard to light bulbs, Albertans favour subsidies and surcharges over an outright ban.
- When asked to choose between two statements, exactly half (50%) of Albertans say the government should provide subsidies to consumers who purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs, to be paid for by surcharges on regular bulbs, while 37% say the government should ban the production of incandescent light bulbs; one-in-ten (11%) do not agree with either option.
Albertans place the responsibility for cleaning up environmental harm on the company causing the harm; there exists a strong sentiment that the polluter should pay.
- When asked if it is more fair that clean up for environmental harm be paid for by the government, or by the company causing the harm, there is near universal agreement (91%) that the company should pay.
Albertans are somewhat divided in their support for increased water costs, but have a definite preference for water conservation programs over tax cuts from the extra revenue that would be generated.
- Overall, 57% of Albertans would support charging more for the use of water as a means to combat the water shortage in Southern Alberta, while four-in-ten (41%) would not support the initiative.
- Three-quarters (76%) would prefer that the extra revenue generated be used for water conservation programs, while one-in-five (21%) would prefer an income tax cut.
Preference for subsidies for oil and gas development in the future is low – when asked to choose, the clear preference is subsidies for the development of renewable and clean energy.
- Eight-in-ten (78%) Albertans say they would prefer that the government provide subsidies for the development of renewable and clean energy options in the future, while about one-in-ten prefer subsidies for oil and gas development (11%) and 8% say both.
Support is strong for MBIs targeting developers but lessens as homeowners are directly impacted.
- Seven-in-ten (71%) Albertans would support providing tax incentives for developers who improve previously developed areas, while just 9% would oppose such an initiative.
- Support drops to 51% and opposition rises to 22% for an MBI requiring land developers, and thus industrial tenants and home buyers, to pay for the negative impacts of urban sprawl.
- When it comes to increasing property taxes in outlying areas and reducing them in existing neighbourhoods, Albertans are divided – 41% would support this measure to reduce urban sprawl while 31% would oppose it.
