TITLE: Ralph Klein's duty is to advance the Alberta Agenda, not attack it
We are suddenly beset on all sides these days with talk of "cooperative federalism," an "end to fed-bashing," and "a new era of goodwill" among our political leaders.
It will be a challenge in the months ahead to endure the euphemistic bombast this subject inspires among Canadian politicians now and then, much less make sense of it.
It's a bit like a virus. One premier catches it, and within days they're all sick. Fortunately, however, the disease soon runs its course with no lasting ill effects.
Take Ralph Klein. Last Thursday he was up in Fort McMurray pouring scorn on the Alberta Agenda--the growing public demand for Alberta to take provincial control of the Canada Pension Plan, the RCMP and collection of provincial personal income tax.
Ralph was quite scathing. "The goal of Alberta," he said, "isn't to build walls--it's to build bridges, and I'm talking about two-way bridges where dialogue between the West and Ottawa is open, honest and respectful."
Yes, wouldn't it be nice.
Then off he went to Quebec to attend a preliminary meeting of the new Council of the Federation.
"The [Council]'s purpose," Klein explained, "isn't to usurp the constitutional authority of the federal government or to get into a fight with the prime minister. It isn't about rejecting Canada or picking a fight with other Canadians either. It's about getting federalism working again the way it was intended."
Well, amen to that. By all means let's get federalism working as intended. That's why Klein should adopt the Alberta Agenda.
Let's start with the Canada Pension Plan. From the founding of the country in 1867, social programs have been constitutionally the jurisdiction of provinces. Ottawa was not supposed to have any social role at all, nor (except for unemployment insurance by a constitutional concession in 1940) has it ever been given one. (And a fine mess they've made of it, too.)
That's why Section 94A had to be added to the Canadian Constitution in 1964--specifically to allow Ottawa to mess around in the provincial area of public pensions, as long as the provinces consent. And it's why Alberta is entitled to opt out of the federal plan, the same way Quebec did.
An Alberta Pension Plan would be "getting federalism working the way it was intended." It would also deliver the same benefits as the CPP for an annual saving of about $500 per working Alberta family.
The same could be said for replacing the federal police force with a new one hired by, managed by, and accountable to Albertans. Policing is another provincial, not federal, jurisdiction, as is provincial tax collection.
Quebec does all three and nobody gives it a second thought. But if Albertans contemplate doing the very same things, they are accused of being treacherous, greedy and unconstitutional--even by their own premier.
When this new Council gets going, Klein has a choice. He can go in with the Alberta Agenda and fight for provincial rights (not just for his own but for all). Or he can go with the flow and be a Nice Guy.
If he argues the hard, clear constitutional line, other premiers will dump on him but we'll come out ahead. If plays nice, everyone will congratulate him, pat him on the head, call him a statesman, send him home with Globe and Mail accolades, and Alberta will, as usual, get hosed.
The only way Albertans can stop Ottawa from siphoning off their province's economic future is to argue a firm constitutional line. True, they won't win a popularity contest. Too many provinces have a selfish interest in supporting Ottawa's blatantly unconstitutional bullying and intrusion. But we should never forget that Canada's founding assumptions favor Alberta's case, not Ottawa's.
Ralph should be reminded that his constitutional duty is not to join hands with the nation's premiers and sing Kumbaya with Paul Martin. His job is to defend the provincial rights of the people who elected him.
To convey your own thoughts on this matter to the Alberta premier (always a worthwhile thing to do), you can e-mail him at premier@gov.ab.ca or Calgary.Elbow@assembly.ab.ca. Ask for a response.
- Link Byfield
Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy
Suite 203, 10441 - 178 Street
Edmonton, AB T5S 1R5
Phone: 780-481-7844
Fax: 780-481-9983
Email: contact@citizenscentre.com
Website: www.citizenscentre.com
We are suddenly beset on all sides these days with talk of "cooperative federalism," an "end to fed-bashing," and "a new era of goodwill" among our political leaders.
It will be a challenge in the months ahead to endure the euphemistic bombast this subject inspires among Canadian politicians now and then, much less make sense of it.
It's a bit like a virus. One premier catches it, and within days they're all sick. Fortunately, however, the disease soon runs its course with no lasting ill effects.
Take Ralph Klein. Last Thursday he was up in Fort McMurray pouring scorn on the Alberta Agenda--the growing public demand for Alberta to take provincial control of the Canada Pension Plan, the RCMP and collection of provincial personal income tax.
Ralph was quite scathing. "The goal of Alberta," he said, "isn't to build walls--it's to build bridges, and I'm talking about two-way bridges where dialogue between the West and Ottawa is open, honest and respectful."
Yes, wouldn't it be nice.
Then off he went to Quebec to attend a preliminary meeting of the new Council of the Federation.
"The [Council]'s purpose," Klein explained, "isn't to usurp the constitutional authority of the federal government or to get into a fight with the prime minister. It isn't about rejecting Canada or picking a fight with other Canadians either. It's about getting federalism working again the way it was intended."
Well, amen to that. By all means let's get federalism working as intended. That's why Klein should adopt the Alberta Agenda.
Let's start with the Canada Pension Plan. From the founding of the country in 1867, social programs have been constitutionally the jurisdiction of provinces. Ottawa was not supposed to have any social role at all, nor (except for unemployment insurance by a constitutional concession in 1940) has it ever been given one. (And a fine mess they've made of it, too.)
That's why Section 94A had to be added to the Canadian Constitution in 1964--specifically to allow Ottawa to mess around in the provincial area of public pensions, as long as the provinces consent. And it's why Alberta is entitled to opt out of the federal plan, the same way Quebec did.
An Alberta Pension Plan would be "getting federalism working the way it was intended." It would also deliver the same benefits as the CPP for an annual saving of about $500 per working Alberta family.
The same could be said for replacing the federal police force with a new one hired by, managed by, and accountable to Albertans. Policing is another provincial, not federal, jurisdiction, as is provincial tax collection.
Quebec does all three and nobody gives it a second thought. But if Albertans contemplate doing the very same things, they are accused of being treacherous, greedy and unconstitutional--even by their own premier.
When this new Council gets going, Klein has a choice. He can go in with the Alberta Agenda and fight for provincial rights (not just for his own but for all). Or he can go with the flow and be a Nice Guy.
If he argues the hard, clear constitutional line, other premiers will dump on him but we'll come out ahead. If plays nice, everyone will congratulate him, pat him on the head, call him a statesman, send him home with Globe and Mail accolades, and Alberta will, as usual, get hosed.
The only way Albertans can stop Ottawa from siphoning off their province's economic future is to argue a firm constitutional line. True, they won't win a popularity contest. Too many provinces have a selfish interest in supporting Ottawa's blatantly unconstitutional bullying and intrusion. But we should never forget that Canada's founding assumptions favor Alberta's case, not Ottawa's.
Ralph should be reminded that his constitutional duty is not to join hands with the nation's premiers and sing Kumbaya with Paul Martin. His job is to defend the provincial rights of the people who elected him.
To convey your own thoughts on this matter to the Alberta premier (always a worthwhile thing to do), you can e-mail him at premier@gov.ab.ca or Calgary.Elbow@assembly.ab.ca. Ask for a response.
- Link Byfield
Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy
Suite 203, 10441 - 178 Street
Edmonton, AB T5S 1R5
Phone: 780-481-7844
Fax: 780-481-9983
Email: contact@citizenscentre.com
Website: www.citizenscentre.com
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