The Alberta government is asking rural municipalities to send letters naming oil and gas companies that don’t pay their property taxes, but a rural leader says there’s no hope for enforcement.

Alberta’s rural municipalities estimate that oil and gas companies owe more than $250 million in back property taxes to the province’s rural communities.

Energy Minister Brian Jean sent letters to rural municipalities in September asking officials to name companies that failed to pay.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver says once the government receives these names, action can be taken against them.

But Rural Municipalities of Alberta president Paul McLauchlin says the name submission process comes with conditions and he and other rural officials aren’t confident there will be enforcement.

McLauchlin also says he doesn’t expect the Alberta Energy Regulatory Authority to shut down oil companies for unpaid taxes, leaving municipalities with no choice but to shoulder the costs.

More to come…

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 6, 2024