Alberta premier Ed Stelmach has reiterated that the oil-rich province would not implement a sales tax as long as he is premier.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach said the province would not introduce a sales tax "as long as he is Premier." (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

The idea of such a tax was raised Wednesday after Finance Minister Ted Morton released the province's quarterly financial report.

Alberta's deficit is projected to be $4.7 billion at the end of the current fiscal year, according to figures released by Morton.

The province said faltering markets, a stronger Canadian dollar, lower prices for natural gas and fluctuating oil prices continue to be factors contributing to the deficit.

Morton was non-commital when asked about the prospect of such a tax.

"Albertans are rather happy with the fact — even proud of the fact — that there isn't a sales tax in this province and for the time being this government doesn't have any intention of changing that," he told reporters.

However, Stelmach said Wednesday evening that there would be no such tax during his watch.

"I can tell you as long as I'm premier, there won't be a sales tax; period," he said. "We're working our way through a recession, I've seen other jurisdictions change tax schemes, change their tax policy, and all it's done is hurt the recovery."

All three Alberta opposition parties — the Liberals, NDP and Wildrose Alliance — were also quick to condemn the notion of a sales tax.

"We have plenty of revenue," Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald said Wednesday. "It's how we spend that revenue. We don't need a sales tax."