Fixing equalization will not be easy, but there are other options, say experts

[AlbertaFarmer5]

And you and your counterparts have repeatedly told us how bad it is in Alberta. The GDP facts tell a different story. You still have the highest GDP and family incomes in Canada. Did everybody expect the commodity boom to last for ever? Supply and demand kicked in an oil prices fell. Unsustainable Booms don’t last! Alberta has always had a boom and bust economy. Albertans pay the same federal tax rate as every other Canadian. Equalization is a federal program paid for by all Canadian taxpayers, not just those in Alberta.

No, I have repeatedly told you how much better it could and should be, never once said it was bad.

Quit comparing everyone to the lowest performing economies, and trying to drag us all down to that level, set your sights higher. The entire country benefits.

[chuckChuck]

Norway has set a great example of how to manage a resource boom. Alaska also has done a better job than Alberta. I am all for setting the bar high. But many Albertans are blaming the liberals for all their problems when many of the problems are self inflicted or the result of lower world prices. Peter Lougheed was in favour of managing the growth and saving for the future. But that thinking has disappeared.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Norway has set a great example of how to manage a resource boom. Alaska also has done a better job than Alberta. I am all for setting the bar high. But many Albertans are blaming the liberals for all their problems when many of the problems are self inflicted or the result of lower world prices. Peter Lougheed was in favour of managing the growth and saving for the future. But that thinking has disappeared.

Do you read anything anyone else posts in response to you? Do you own a map, or have access to internet other than Agriville and CBC? Try looking at a map, or google search Norway. As I pointed out previously, and is still true as of today, Norway is still an autonomous country, with complete control over their own finances, not subject to equalization with other countries Alberta is still a province with no control over equalization.

[chuckChuck]

Do you read anything anyone else posts in response to you? Do you own a map, or have access to internet other than Agriville and CBC? Try looking at a map, or google search Norway. As I pointed out previously, and is still true as of today, Norway is still an autonomous country, with complete control over their own finances, not subject to equalization with other countries Alberta is still a province with no control over equalization.

And Alaska? They pay federal taxes don’t they? Alberta purposely kept royalties low to let more profit go to the oil companies. Paying federal taxes is not the root of Alberta’s problems in mismanaging their resources on behalf of all Albertans who are the owners. Stelmach tried to increase them but turned back. Alberta is collecting some of the lowest oil royalties compared to many other jurisdictions. Why?