Albertans receive far higher carbon tax rebates from Ottawa than any other Canadians.

A family of four will get $1,800 annually, up from $1,544 last year.

In Ontario, this year’s benefit is $1,120.

Per capita, Albertans burn more fuel and emit more carbon than other Canadians.

That means higher levels of carbon tax – and more money back from what’s now called the Canada Carbon Rebate.

Weirdly, Albertans are rewarded for doing exactly what Ottawa wants to prevent, emitting carbon.

But how many Alberta families would be thrilled to lose those quarterly political kickbacks if the tax is scrapped entirely?

Not many, probably. Rebates are the Liberals’ covert weapon in the next election.

Under the Liberal plan, rebates will keep climbing until the carbon price hits $170 per tonne in 2030.

By that time the Alberta rebate could be more than $4,000 per family. That’s a lot of cash to forsake.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won’t back away from the April 1 carbon tax increase, even though it’s opposed by seven premiers and 70 per cent of Canadians.

The PM doesn’t see the tax as a demerit. In fact, he behaves as if it’s his most potent weapon.

Trudeau suggested in Alberta this week that his noble duty is to raise the tax so he can send us more cash.

There’s little logic to this argument. Historically, however,........

© Calgary Herald