No province can unilaterally strip the equalization principle from the Constitution, and the referendum threatens to expose a discontent with Confederation that it cannot possibly relieve. There are lots of good reasons for that. At his rally, Downing anticipated this: Someone called us the Bloc Rednecois and thats okay. If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is. The oil crash of 2014 and subsequent economic decline becomes a manifestation of divine justice. He sees the program as transferring revenue from Alberta taxpayers to governments in other provinces. Theyre a scapegoat, a channel for all the guilt and anxiety that we Canadians feel about our greenhouse-gas intensive lifestyles. Why wouldn't someone from the Alberta government even an MLA with an hour of time to kill meet with Greta Thunberg in Edmonton? Its a sign of open disrespecteven war, in some places. Does it even need to be fixed? Source:National Post,Angus Reid Institute. 'God help any federal leader whos trying to campaign on a united message because this is not a country that is feeling united'. I'm not often taken for a sage, someone whose thoughts are sought on matters of great import or complexity. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. RELATED:Re-election means never having to say youre sorry. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Some Albertans look at per capita federal transfer payments equalization is just one and the massive amount of federal income tax flooding into Ottawa from Alberta, and believe theyre getting a raw deal. At that level, Albertans pay more than both Ontarians and British Columbians. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Next, longtime provincial Conservative party organizer Craig Chandlerwho earlier this year was the campaign manager for Jason Kenneys Economic Development, Trade and Tourism Minister Tanya Firtook to the stage to shill for an Alberta First purchasing program encouraging residents to opt for products produced by their neighbours. Franco Terrazzano: Canadians are united. The characature of "Albertan" means more to people here than the truth. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Bernier said this practice makes the provinces look poorer than they actually are and games the system. Friday's letters: Why do Albertans need assault weapons? You can see how it all breaks down in the chart below. No one in Alberta appears overly bothered by it. I just had to comment because long gone are the days of the nice Newfoundlander, and there is a good reason for that. A case can therefore be made that the escalator should be changed to reduce the growth rate of this implicit transfer from have provinces like Alberta to have not provinces like Quebec. There are random questions. Narcity Media Inc. Quebec is getting no love in this recent study that shows which provinces Canadians love and hate the most. So let's take a look at the math to see how Alberta's previous and current tax systems compare both to each other, and to the rest of the country. And what consideration is owed to a pack of hard-luck deplorables? Having just won a commanding mandate from the province by articulating many of its lingering grievances, he can make a uniquely credible case for Canada. That was enough to attract the support of eight MLAs from the province. fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Oh yes. Its deputy minister should be a well-respected official who has worked at the senior levels of the Alberta government.