Oil and gas extraction sector contributes $53B to federal finances

Much of Alberta's revenues end up in provinces such as Quebec via federal transfers

Oil and gas extraction sector contributes $53B to federal financesBy Mark Milke and Lennie Kaplan Canadian Energy Centre Nearly 62 per cent of Alberta voters endorsed removing equalization from the Constitution in a recent referendum. Constitutional scholar Ted Morton, a former Alberta finance minister, argues that the province has leverage to force the issue. Others argue that equalization has a weak constitutional status, which…

Equalization has cost Alberta $67 billion

And what has it bought? Hostility

Equalization has cost Alberta $67 billionBy Kevin Lacey and Franco Terrazzano Canadian Taxpayers Federation Sixty-seven billion dollars. That’s how much the federal government’s equalization scheme has cost Alberta taxpayers since its inception in 1957. This year, equalization will cost Alberta taxpayers nearly $3 billion. That means that equalization will cost an Alberta family of four about $2,600 this year on…

Canada needs to take Alberta’s equalization grievances seriously

Referendum is exposing a deep crack in Confederation

Canada needs to take Alberta’s equalization grievances seriouslyAlberta’s referendum on equalization is more than a vote on a federal program: it’s an urgently needed conversation about a deep crack in Confederation. So far, Canada has ignored the problem and the rift has grown. Now a referendum yes vote will push federal and provincial governments to the negotiation table. So, let’s talk. All…

Albertans need to vote yes to abolishing equalization

A show of force would strengthen our hand in our fight for fairness with Ottawa

Albertans need to vote yes to abolishing equalizationTired of yelling at the TV every time you hear about how much of our money is sent out east? Well, you’re in luck. The provincial government wants you to have your say on Canada’s equalization program during the province-wide municipal elections on Oct. 18th, 2021. Premier Jason Kenney is right to embrace some direct…

Manitoba unprepared for coming fiscal, political storms

Manitoba’s provincial government depends on long-calcified federal transfer programs to fund 37% of its budget

Manitoba unprepared for coming fiscal, political stormsAround 1915, Winnipeg was frequently described as a second Chicago, a serious transportation hub with a bustling private economy. In 1921, it was the third-largest city in Canada. In the 1960s, Winnipeg was Western Canada’s corporate headquarters city. Today, Winnipeg is Canada’s ninth-largest city, known more in the United States, if not by most Canadians,…

Alberta’s own Independence Day is fast approaching

Albertans have tried to work within the system but it is stacked against them

Alberta’s own Independence Day is fast approachingFor many Albertans, it is 1775. A year later, as every American knows, the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia. At the time the Colonies were still part of the British Empire; it is, therefore, a British as much as an American document, which is why its logic has such a wide appeal today…

Alberta still pulling its economic weight despite hard times

Despite the gloomy reports emanating from its oil and gas industry

Alberta still pulling its economic weight despite hard timesBy Bruce Lantz Reporter Resource World Magazine Alberta’s economy has taken a beating in recent years, but it isn’t likely to receive the federal equalization payments enjoyed by other disadvantaged provinces. Equalization transfer payments are made by wealthier provinces to offset financial shortcomings in other parts of the country. The process is entrenched in the…

Atlantic Canada won’t prosper until it kicks the equalization habit

Taxpayers from so-called have provinces can no longer afford to subsidize the Atlantic provinces

Atlantic Canada won’t prosper until it kicks the equalization habitFor many years, there has been debate about equalization and other transfer programs and their impact on Atlantic Canada and other regions. Much of this discussion has been technical and difficult to follow. The debate has also been misleading because it focused on equalization even though equalization is only about a quarter of the net…

Is Canada destined to fall into Greenland’s welfare trap?

If Canada continues to subsidize areas that aren’t economically viable, the standard of living in our country will continue to erode

Is Canada destined to fall into Greenland’s welfare trap?An unusual amount of international attention was given to the Greenland election earlier this month due to plans for a rare-earth mine. This vast country has a population of only 50,000 and is an autonomous territory of the kingdom of Denmark. Denmark transfers US$740 million to a year to help fund Greenland’s government. This huge…

Equalization referendum is crucial step in Alberta’s fight for fairness

There’s only one way for Albertans to get a fair deal in Canada: fight for it

Equalization referendum is crucial step in Alberta’s fight for fairnessPrime Minister Justin Trudeau has made one thing clear: he’s not going to hand Alberta a fair deal on a silver platter. There’s only one way for Albertans to get a fair deal: fight for it. The next step in our fight for fairness is this year’s equalization referendum. The equalization referendum on Oct. 18…
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