Overview

Affordability and the high cost of living remain top concerns for many Albertans. We are working to lower the cost of everyday essentials and keep more money in Albertans’ pockets, while supporting those who need it most.

We are:

Keeping more money in your pocket

High wages combined with low taxes, including a new personal income tax cut, mean Albertans earn and keep more of their hard-earned money.

  • Low taxes

    Alberta has the lowest taxes in the country, including lower income taxes and no provincial sales tax, payroll tax or health premium which empowers Albertans to make the best financial decisions to meet their needs and support their families.

    To keep more heard-earned money in Albertans’ pockets, Alberta introduced a new 8% personal income tax bracket, saving individuals up to $750 and families up to $1,500 a year.

    In 2026–27, Albertans and Alberta businesses will pay at least $16.9 billion less in taxes than they would if Alberta had the same tax system as any other province. 

  • High wages

    Alberta provides many high-paying jobs across different sectors. Our strong economy means better jobs, bigger paycheques and lower costs for Albertans.

    Alberta has some of the highest average weekly earnings and one of the youngest populations in the country.

    Alberta’s high wages and productivity contribute to our economic strength.

Lowering the cost of everyday essentials

Through government programs and initiatives, we are lowering the cost of essentials like utilities, housing, insurance and food.

Utilities

Affordable utilities help families and businesses keep their lights on and homes and buildings warm. Our work is focused on ensuring Albertans across the province have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable utilities, now and in the future.

  • Rate of Last Resort

    In our competitive retail electricity market, Albertans can choose from more than 50 retailers to find the lowest rate available.

    If a consumer does not sign a competitive contract, they are automatically enrolled on the default electricity rate, called the Rate of Last Resort. Albertans enrolled on the Rate of Last Resort are encouraged switch to a competitive retailer if they are able to. Competitive retail contracts continue to provide the best, lowest cost options for Albertans.

    As of January 1, 2025, the Rate of Last Resort is set for 2 years to provide price stability to those who are unable to switch to a competitive contract. At about 12 cents per kilowatt hour, the Rate of Last Resort is more than 60% lower than the default rate’s peak price.

  • Natural Gas Rebate Program

    The Natural Gas Rebate Program provides year-round price protection to more than 1.6 million Albertans.

    If the regulated monthly natural gas rate exceeds $6.50 per gigajoule, most Albertans will receive an automatic rebate from one of Alberta’s 3 regulated utility providers.

  • Rural utility programs

    We are helping Albertans who live and work in rural and remote areas access essential services at a reasonable cost.

    The rural utility programs help communities build critical infrastructure to access gas, electricity and water, while advancing local economic development and diversification.

    The Remote Area Heating Allowance provides direct financial relief to more than 2,000 households every year to help Albertans living in rural and remote areas with the high cost of heating fuel.

  • Local access fees

    Local access fees are set by municipalities and are charged to electricity distributors for the use of municipal property. They are set by municipalities and passed onto customers as a line item on their utility bill.

    We have implemented the Utilities Affordability Statues Amendment Act to standardize how local access fees are calculated and help lower electricity costs for Albertans.

  • Internet access

    Alberta’s urban areas have long benefited from high-speed internet. Alberta’s government created the Alberta Broadband Strategy to expand that advantage across the province. This strategy is now helping eliminate the digital divide for thousands of Albertans in rural, remote, and geographically challenging areas, by improving access to high-speed internet.

Housing

We are committed to ensuring all Albertans have access to housing that meets their needs.

  • Building homes, faster

    As the province grows, more housing is needed in communities across the province. Alberta is getting shovels in the ground faster to build the homes Albertans need.

    Alberta is leading the country in housing starts per capita and supporting innovative strategies that speed up the home building process. Since 2019, Alberta has implemented more than 675 red tape reduction initiatives to eliminate duplication, improve efficiencies, and deliver services to Albertans more effectively.

    In 2024, Alberta had a record 46,632 housing starts. In 2025, housing starts rose by 14% to 53,184 units, positioning the province with one of the smallest affordable-housing supply gaps heading into 2030, based on Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data.

    Learn more:

  • Affordable housing

    Alberta is delivering on its Stronger Foundations affordable housing strategy to ensure Albertans can access safe, affordable housing that meets their needs and enhances quality of life.

    The strategy targets support for 25,000 additional households by 2031, including 13,000 through new units and 12,000 through rent assistance. This will increase the total number of households served to 82,000 – an increase of more than 40%.

    Learn more:

Auto Insurance

Alberta is implementing a care-first insurance system to ensure Albertans get better, affordable, faster, and more reliable auto insurance. Starting January 1, 2027, under the new care-first system, injured Albertans will have better access to increased medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits to help them recover faster.

A new independent report shows that by moving away from a court-based insurance system, Albertans with basic coverage are expected to save up to $366 per vehicle each year under Care-first.

Food

Albertans need to be able to feed and provide for their families. Lowering the cost of everyday essentials including food is a top priority. We are taking a whole-government approach to lower the cost of groceries, protect consumers, and ensure Albertans have secure access to high-quality, nutritious food.

We are doing this by:

  • working to reduce utility and input costs for businesses across supply chains
  • promoting local buying through the “Made in Alberta” labelling program
  • enforcing consumer protection laws to ensure fairness in the marketplace and prevent excessive pricing without disclosure
  • advocating to the federal government to eliminate policies that put ideology above the well-being of Albertans and make food more expensive

  • Buy local

    We have developed the Made in Alberta labelling program to make it easier for consumers to identify low-cost, high-quality Alberta-made products. Under the program, producers and processors can use the label on their locally made products.

    This helps Albertans choose from a wealth of locally sourced and made products while supporting Alberta farmers and producers.

  • Agri-business

    Alberta’s agricultural producers and processors help put high-quality food on tables around the world.

    The Alberta government is continuing to strengthen and support the province’s agriculture sector through programs like the Agricultural Financial Services Corporation and the Alberta Agri-Processing Investment tax credit.

    Learn more:

Providing financial literacy resources

Through educational curriculum and financial literacy grants, we are equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for today’s world.

Supporting those who need it most

We are working across government to support families, students, seniors and Albertans with lower incomes.

  • Families

    • As of April 1, 2025, Alberta moved to a flat $15 per day childcare fee across the province.
    • Kinship, foster and permanency caregivers supporting children and youth in the care of child intervention, or formerly in care, are entitled to compensation. Caregiver rates for 2026 will be increased by 2%, to support caregivers with the increasing cost of living.
    • We are making kids’ sport and recreation activities more accessible and affordable through the Every Kid Can Play Program.
    • The adoption subsidy provides one-time support to help cover the costs of private adoption through licensed adoption agencies in Alberta. It is available to families with a household income less than $180,000 and reduces adoption costs by as much as 40% to 50% for adoptive families.
    • The Provincial Adoption Expenses Tax Credit helps cover costs associated with local or international adoptions, such as adoption agency fees, court costs, expenses paid for a child’s immigration, travel and more. Eligible individuals may also claim a federal tax credit for their expenses.
    • The Alberta Child and Family Benefit (ACFB) provides direct financial assistance to lower and middle-income families with children under 18. These payments are not taxable. If you receive Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Income Support or the Alberta childcare subsidy, you are still eligible to receive the ACFB.
    • The Alberta Child Health Benefit covers health benefits for children in low-income households including dental care, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, emergency ambulance services, essential diabetes supplies and over-the-counter medications.
    • Family court assistance services help Albertans with family law issues prepare for court, access the court system and resolve parenting disputes.
    • The Family resolution hub is an online tool to help Albertans understand their options for resolving family disputes related to parenting, child support or divorce.
    • The Surrogate Digital Service is a new online resource for Albertans applying without a lawyer to administer an estate.
    • The Court and Justice Services Contact Centre offers Albertans assistance with common legal topics including paying fines, resolving legal disputes and navigating the court system.
    • Albertans can contact Information Services to learn about court processes, programs and services or to get help filling out court forms.
    • We help to ensure all Albertans have affordable access to discover, experience and celebrate the culture, history and creativity of our province through free admissions and affordable programming. Learn more:
      • Free admission to Alberta’s 21 world-class heritage sites on Family Day, during Seniors Week and Alberta Culture Days.
      • No extra fees to explore major feature exhibitions at the Royal Alberta Museum
      • One year of unlimited family access to all provincial museums and sites with the Experience Alberta’s History Annual Pass.
      • Free family programming at festivals and events thanks to Community Grants supporting non-profits creating affordable experiences and free public spaces.
      • Free access to Alberta Day celebrations, offering entertainment and activities for the whole family in communities across the province.
      • Alberta Culture Days grants bring free, vibrant and engaging cultural celebrations to communities in every corner of the province.
    • Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) funding delivers affordable arts experiences for Albertans. Learn more:

  • Students

    • We are investing nearly $1.1 billion in 2026–27 to help Alberta’s students access a post-secondary education through loans, grants, scholarships and awards.
    • The grace period for Alberta student loans is extended from 6 to 12 months for students who completed studies on or after December 1, 2022.
    • To support graduates with student loans, we have increased the Repayment Assistance Plan income threshold from $25,000 to $40,000 for single borrowers, effective July 1, 2023.
    • Alberta has a wide range of student aid programs, including loans, grants, bursaries, awards, and scholarships – all of which can be used to support living costs.
    • Class 1 Learning Pathway where drivers can choose how they move through the pathway and do not pay for what they do not need.
    • The Advancing Futures program provides funding and supports for young adults who have been in care, as they pursue post-secondary studies and transition into adulthood.

  • Seniors

  • Low income

    • The Rent Supplement Program and the Temporary Rent Assistance Benefit provide rent subsidies to low-income individuals and those between jobs.
    • Albertans facing an unexpected emergency who meet the eligibility requirements can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Needs Allowance program.
    • Albertans struggling to pay for basic expenses like food, clothing and shelter may be eligible to receive assistance.
    • The Employment and Training Services Directory lists free employment and training programs delivered in person or online through agencies in communities across the province to help unemployed and underemployed Albertans access skill training for a new career as well as connect to a job.
    • Albertans who cannot afford to pay court filing fees may be eligible to have those fees waived.
    • The Alberta Adult Health Benefit covers health benefits for Albertans in low-income households who are pregnant or have high ongoing prescription drug needs.

  • Persons with Disabilities

    • Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) provides financial and health benefits for eligible Albertans with a permanent medical condition that prevents them from earning a living.
    • Starting July 1, 2026, The Alberta Disability Assistance Program (ADAP) will empower Albertans with disabilities to pursue fulfilling job opportunities while continuing to receive the financial, health, personal and employment support they need.
    • The Alberta Aids to Daily Living program helps Albertans with long-term disabilities, chronic illness or terminal illness by providing funding for basic medical equipment and supplies so clients can live independently at home and within their communities.
    • Through the Residential Access Modification Program, low income Albertans with mobility challenges can apply for grants to modify their home.