Achi news desk-
Starting next week, Alberta seniors will receive a discount on a number of personal registry services.
Starting April 1, Albertans age 65 and older will get a 25 percent discount on things like driver’s license renewals, vehicle registrations, standard license plates, marriage licenses and parking placards.
The discount will be applied at the time of purchase, according to Alberta Service and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally. Seniors who purchase these services online will also have access to the discount.
“Over the past few years, rising prices have made it difficult for many seniors to make ends meet,” Nally said Thursday. “The reduction will give some modest relief to older people, many of whom are on a fixed income, and make life more affordable.”
There are currently more than 700,000 people aged 65 and over living in Alberta. More than 178,000 of those people use income support.
“Every dollar Alberta seniors save through this measure is another dollar back in their pockets that they can better spend on other priorities,” said Smith.
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The executive director of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council said it was nice to see a reduction in the cost of a service rather than an increase.
“The effects of intensifying inflation have forced older people to make difficult decisions to make ends meet,” said Susan Hallett. “The implementation of seniors’ discount on license renewals and registration fees is a decisive step that will provide much-needed relief to their pocketbooks.”
The discount announced on Thursday does not apply to corporate or business services, personal property services, commercial vehicle registrations, or optional products such as personal and specialist license plates.
This is something the Alberta UCP promised in its election campaign last year, along with other discounts for seniors that Premier Danielle Smith said will be announced soon.
Nally said one of the upcoming announcements will be a discount for seniors on camping fees.
The province estimates that by 2035 there will be more than one million seniors living in Alberta.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
