MLA Report: Equalization on the ballot

By Drew Barnes on October 15, 2021.

On Oct. 18, Albertans have an opportunity to send a strong message to Ottawa, and demand a fair deal for our province.

That’s why I am encouraging all Albertans, regardless of their political affiliation, to vote YES in the equalization referendum.

Equalization is one of three federal transfer programs that chronically short change our province. From 2007 to 2018 Albertans contributed $240 billion more than we received in transfers or services. Our total net payments to the rest of Canada back to 1961 amount to more than $650 billion. The effect of this massive transfer of wealth cannot be understated. With a fair deal, Albertans could have substantially better public services, lower taxes and be free of provincial debt, and build a sovereign wealth fund worth hundreds of billions.

More than any other federal transfer program, equalization has become a symbol representing Alberta’s chronic mistreatment. There is good reason for this. Under equalization, one province always loses: Alberta. In fact, our province has not received a dime under equalization since 1965.

As others have pointed out, voting YES on Oct. 18 will not directly lead to the end of this federal program. Alberta alone cannot alter the constitution in this regard. However, a strong yes vote cannot go ignored on Parliament Hill. According to the Supreme Court, in its 1998 Quebec Secession Reference, when it comes to constitutional matters the federal government must, “acknowledge and address democratic expressions of a desire for change.”

This was a wise ruling, as it allows provinces to bring constitutional issues to the federal government’s attention without the brinksmanship that comes with a separation referendum.

At the end of the day, there are only two ways for Alberta to achieve a fair deal with Ottawa – negotiation or separation. A YES vote on Oct. 18 strengthens Alberta’s case for formal negotiations. This is Plan A, and it’s worth a shot.

At this time, my main concern with the equalization referendum is that Albertans will see this as an opportunity to punish Premier Jason Kenney. There is no question that the Premier has failed our province on a variety of issues. He is the least popular Premier in Canada for good reason. However, On Oct. 18 I would encourage Albertans to focus on the bigger picture. The best thing for our province in the long term is winning a fair deal from Ottawa. And, given that Kenney was part of the government that saddled us with the current equalization formula, voting YES will send a message to him as well.

The bottom line is our province deserves a fair deal. On Oct. 18, let’s vote for it.

Drew Barnes is an independent MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat

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