We kicked off the fall session of the legislature on Oct. 25, and our government is hard at work as we have already tabled several bills. However, in this week’s column, I would like to address a question my office has been receiving since the referendum votes. Now what? It’s a great question.
Voters in our province have given a clear and strong mandate to the Alberta government; they want a ‘Fair Deal’ in the federation. Over a million voters cast a ballot and nearly 62 per cent want to see the current equalization formula disappear. Over the last 25 years, Albertans have contributed more than $400 billion more to Canada in tax dollars than they have received in federal spending. Albertans make an immense contribution to equalization through federal tax contributions, which are transferred by the federal government to other provinces for programs and services. The current program has many issues, including a formula that requires it to grow automatically with Canada’s economy, even if contributing provinces like Alberta are experiencing immense economic challenges.
We are generous people in Alberta who want to help our neighbours. When there are wildfires in other provinces, we are happy to send our firefighters to help, for example. However, what is not fair is Quebec receiving net equalization payments while that province balances its budget, while Alberta had to deal with an economic downturn. What is also frustrating is Quebec standing in the way of the Energy East Pipeline that would deliver ethical and secure energy to that province. They are happy to take our money with one hand and stand in the way of our economy with the other. Between 2014 and 2019 alone, Albertans made a net contribution of more than $100 billion to the federal government through federal taxes that helped build critical infrastructure.
Premier Jason Kenney put forward a government motion to ratify the results and Ottawa has an obligation to negotiate with our government. Albertans are united around Premier Kenney and the UCP government to get the fairness we deserve and expect. For a change in the constitution, seven provinces with 50 percent of the population must agree to any new terms. In a recent press conference, Premier Kenney told us Saskatchewan would back Alberta. There is lots work to do but this government was elected to fight for Albertans, and we will continue to do that.
We also asked Albertans if they want to permanently keep daylight saving time and do away with the bi-annual clock change. This referendum was very close as 50.2 per cent of voters decided to keep the system currently in place. In case you missed the news conference, Service Alberta Minister, Nate Glubish stated that the people have made their decision, and the government will not pursue this any further. When our government was elected in 2019, a major commitment was to put more decisions in the hands of the people, and we have done that.
On Oct. 27, Associate Minister of Rural Economic Development Nate Horner held the first of 20 online meetings with rural businesses across various sectors, including business associations, chambers of commerce, Indigenous and Métis-owned businesses, and industry and community leaders, to hear their ideas on how to ensure Albertans from every corner of the province benefit from Alberta’s Recovery Plan. The survey will be open until Dec. 18.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office. We are always here for you.