Alberta Payments flow to Ottawa

[sumdumguy]

Edmonton Journal, Gary Lamphier article 2000-2014 more than $200 billion, some years 20 billion. It would be very interesting to see how much went directly to Quebec and Bombardier. C'est ne pas bon.

[stonepicker]

Yep welfare to the brats. And now with a big oil slump and alta. is hurting, looks like they'll still be paying equalization payments for years to come. Welcome to socialist canada.

[Hamloc]

The fact that Alberta sent 200 billion more to Ottawa through our personal and corporate taxes than we got back is somewhat surprising. If Alberta received more back from Ottawa, like Quebec does, it seems possible we would not be facing the large provincial deficit that we are. Think about it, in reality Alberta is going into debt to finance equalization payments to Quebec. At the same time as a thank you Quebec buys its oil from foreign countries yikes!! Now for those who argue that we should be like Norway, this shows where our potential savings went and how being a province is different than being a country.

[Oliver88]

The Quebec gravy train will continue even with the low oil prices.

[ajl]

Equalization will kill Canada. Just wonder how much less tax dough will flow to Ottawa from AB in 16 vs previous years. Equalization makes AB and SK go into debt to fund Ontario and Quebec. Separation now.

[sumdumguy]

If the West seceeded, do you think it would work? Has anyone actually researched that route?

[oneoff]

Yes succession would work....as long as we aren't past the tipping point of too many of the electorate of "Western Canada" too far past the tipping point of primarily yearning for the soon to be available mind clouding substances you can grow and use with impunity; all the needs and desires that less than zero percent interest could pay for; and all the Canadian entitlements available from cradle to grave if you choose to be a freeloader.

And if that is where Canada is and where any leaders want to head us....then we really do have to get out (if Alberta and Sask are any different)

[blackpowder]

That ship sailed decades ago.
If the majority of voters approve a party that is doing what the ndp is doing in Alberta, the payments will only increase.
If you get the chance to listen to a govt minion you'll be as certain of this as I am.

[oneoff]

People in general are so cynical and disengaged..and apathetic and afraid to even say what is on their minds..or sitting so firmly on the fence and deliberately being oblivious of everything that is outside their personal concerns and troubles...that it is really dangerous to personal relationships to even mention anything except what is politically popular at the present moment.

Thus all one can say is that we all get the governments; and laws, bylaws and regulations that we deserve.

But little wonder that next to no one has even heard of a fraction of what is meant to be obeyed.
Love those dictatorships that don't adhere to any democratic principles and instead pander to shallow individual personal desires.