MP Blake Richards says if the federal government has nothing to hide then there should be no problem with the carbon tax being 100% transparent.

While Albertans get used to the provincial carbon tax, MP Richards, says the federal tax is going to hit even harder. "I don't even know where to start, there has been lots of estimates put together as to what that's going to cost the average family...most of them seem to tell us somewhere between $2500 and $4000 a year. The cost of everything that is being transported obviously increases and in a country like our's that's a pretty significant cost, we're talking thousands of dollars per year for the average family "

Besides the amount of money families will be out, Richards, believes the messaging around the carbon tax is misleading. "They say this is going to be revenue neutral the federal government's not going to gain anything from this, it's all about the environment. Guess what?! That's not true; there's a tax on the tax, the GST gets charged on that and the federal government's going to rake in billions of dollars. Then you say, you guys have done some reports that tell you what this is going to cost the average family so why not tell us what that's going to be so atleast we all know what that's going to cost, well they really don't want to give us that information I guess they think you should pay and not get any information."

Richards says they (Conservatives) have done some digging and put in an access to information request but when the report came back, the information was blacked out. In order to keep things transparent, a colleague of Richards is bringing forth a motion this week that will require there be to disclosure. 

"So you can actually see as a line item when you purchase something what the carbon tax is going to cost you. Atleast if you are going to have to pay all this money you should at the very least know how much it's going to cost you as a taxpayer."

Richards isn't overly optimistic the federal government will embrace the idea, but that doesn't mean they won't continue to try. "We are going to do our best and try to fight for the taxpayer and make sure they are being transparent  and accountable; that's our job and we'll continue to fight as long and as hard as we have to."

If the information won't be disclosed, Richards, states when the opportunity comes the Conservative will repeal the tax and introduce legislation that will actually benefit the environment and not tax families to death.

Richards is always open to feedback and says community members can have their say at www.blakerichards.ca 

"What we'll do with people that give us their opinion, if they are interested, we can also send them out a petition they can gather signatures from their friends and neighbours calling on the government to be transparent and accountable with what the carbon tax is going to cost them."

While Richards isn't sure of an exact timeline this will be voted on, the first steps are being taken.