The two factions within the party are starting to get along
Alberta’s United Conservative Party (UCP) annual general meeting (AGM) ended this past weekend with a discernible positive buzz and little conspiratorial chit-chat among members, much to the consternation, I am sure, of the party’s political opponents. While it’s not uncommon after leadership contests to hear sniping by those loyal to other leadership candidates, I heard…
The history of Western Canada is tainted by Ottawa overreach
In mid-September, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney openly disagreed with UCP leadership hopeful Danielle Smith over her proposed Alberta Sovereignty Act (ASA), calling the legislation destabilizing, unconstitutional, and a disaster for Alberta. Kenney’s former principal secretary, Howard Anglin, in fact, said ASA should stand for “the Alberta suicide act.” Accused of meddling in the selection of…
It also goes without saying that Smith has her detractors. Is their criticism fair or nothing more than political gamesmanship?
On Oct. 6, United Conservative Party of Alberta members will choose a new party leader and provincial premier to replace Jason Kenney. The race has largely come down to three individuals – former Wildrose Party leader/UCP MLA Brian Jean, former Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith and former UCP minister of Finance/Treasury Board president Travis Toews.…
We need to get serious about freeing up interprovincial trade once and for all
July 1st marked five years since the coming into force of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), whose goal (its website tells us) is to “establish an open, efficient, and stable domestic market” in Canada. Has there been any progress in the half-decade since then in reducing and eliminating barriers to interprovincial free trade? According…
A show of force would strengthen our hand in our fight for fairness with Ottawa
Tired 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…
Despite the gloomy reports emanating from its oil and gas industry
By 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…
Joe Biden’s affinity for a Green New Deal and a great reset shows the same hostility for hydrocarbon energy that Trudeau does
As many as a third of Albertans steadily favour breaking away from Canada, according to polls. Some even believe that joining the U.S. as a 51st state is the best option, but that seems less likely now. The impulse to reject Canada is as old as British North America and is rooted in issues that…
Confederation was designed as an economic union from sea to sea, linked by infrastructure that crosses provincial borders
During the recent French and English language debates for the Conservative leadership, one of the two leading candidates accused the other of wanting to impose an oil pipeline on Quebec without its consent. Erin O’Toole, the Conservative MP for Durham, Ont., articulated his vision for a national energy corridor throughout Canada. He was then accused…
Canada's kindergarten-to-Grade 12 system flourishes because it's controlled by the provinces, which often show great innovation and creativity
By Jason Clemens and Tegan Hill The Fraser Institute One of Canada’s great political strengths is that we’re a federalist country, meaning we have constituent provinces with significant powers that are distinguishable from the national government. This separation of powers, at least theoretically, allows the country to split the responsibility for different programs between the…
Instead of asking for more money and all the strings that come attached, the provinces should ask for more freedom to try new delivery models
By Bacchus Barua and Ben Eisen The Fraser Institute Despite their differences, it seems Canada’s premiers are united in one thing: demanding more federal health-care dollars. But nobody talked about the price the premiers must pay for the money from Ottawa: the freedom to design and implement policies that could actually improve care. At the…