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Alberta's NDP government is hiding the true effects of the carbon tax, which could cost families at least $1,000 more each year, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said Monday.

Although low- and middle-income Albertans will receive rebates on the tax when it starts Jan. 1, 2017, Jean said they still will pay up to $700 extra

Jean said the tax is just a money grab and noted the government has provided no information on how the measure will reduce emissions.

He called on the government to delay the tax until the full economic impact can be studied.

"[The tax is] certainly not required by the international community. It's not required by the federal government," Jean said.

"And why we are going to such great lengths to be better than anybody else in the world by far, to punish our own competitiveness, is beyond belief."

Details of the carbon tax were released in Thursday's budget.

The government has said people will see extra costs at the gas pump and on their home heating bills. The money collected will be invested in green infrastructure, energy efficiency programs and clean energy research.

Jean cited data from the Canadian Tax Journal that said a $30 carbon tax will increase electricity prices by 7.5 per cent, food costs by two per cent and the shelter costs by 1.2 per cent.

Jean said the initiative will do little or nothing to change people's behaviour.