Why don't they?

[ivbinconned]

Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy

WEEKLY COMMENTARY
"Just Between Us"

October 3, 2005

Klein should talk first to Albertans, not Ontarians

Premier Klein plans to tour Ontario next month to explain the fiscal facts of life to the people of Canada's largest, richest, most Liberal province.

That's nice. But it would be even nicer if he'd tour Alberta.

Albertans too need a solid briefing on the fiscal facts.

Most Albertans still don't know that through regular federal taxation they've been contributing about $10 billion extra--or $10,000 per Alberta household--to other parts of the country every year. More than Ontarians.

And with high petroleum prices, Alberta's contribution to the country will now be soaring. I'm guessing that within a few years Alberta's "net federal outflow" could double, with no new taxes.

This is how federal taxes are set up. Ottawa gets more "net" revenue out of Alberta (revenues less expenditures) than the Alberta government gets in resource earnings.

Ralph should tour Alberta to tell business and community audiences how Ottawa is draining their province, and to warn people that if it doesn't stop they'll end up like Nova Scotia.

When Nova Scotia joined Confederation it was a thriving, bustling, world-class place. Fifty years of federal policy slowly bled it white. Today it's a political backwater, addicted to federal funds that bribe people to vote Liberal.

The same goes for Newfoundland, PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba.

Ottawa could have got these provinces sturdily on their feet years ago if it had wanted, and it still could. It would simply make financial assistance conditional on economic performance.

It would say, "We want to see your level of private-sector investment going up, and your level of social dependency going down. If we can help this happen, show us how."

That would be the honest, constructive approach.

Instead, Ottawa invests most of its assistance in political rewards, not productivity--government unions, obsolete industries, unemployment and social programs.

Ottawa isn't interested in independence for these areas over the long term, it wants votes in the next election. Short-term gain for long-term drain.

That's why Premier Klein should first educate Albertans before he travels off to Ontario.

He could make a few solid, simple points.

Our federal government does a lousy job. Our once-proud military is an international joke. Our Indian reserves are an international disgrace. The corruption of our federal government is causing international concern. Our criminal justice system is a farce. Our average after-tax income has been stalled since Chretien took office in 1993.

Ottawa has been screwing up its own job because it has been too busy telling provinces how to do theirs. Under the Constitution, what is closest to the people -- economic and resource development, health and education, civil rights, culture, cities and infrastructure -- are all provincial. We have to get the federal government out of all these areas, because all Ottawa does is waste money in them to buy federal votes.

Albertans need to present a major constitutional amendment to restrict federal spending to federal areas. And if other Canadians won't accept the Alberta amendment, Albertans must consider their legal options.

Does this mean we're threatening "separatism" like Quebec?

No. It means we want our country run properly. What's threatening about that?

This is what Alberta's premier and provincial politicians should be talking about. Why don't they?

- Link Byfield

Link Byfield is chairman of the Edmonton-based Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy, and an Alberta senator-elect.

"Just Between Us" is a feature service of the Citizens Centre for Freedom and Democracy. The purpose of the Citizens Centre is to enhance freedom and democracy by enabling ordinary citizens to become active and effective on important issues outside the normal processes of party politics.


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[madcow]

You lookin' for me? "end up like Nova Scotia" caught my eye. but I can't say I disagree with most of what you said.Actually I agree with your forward looking ideas,now if we could get a Fed.Govt. that we could count on to do just that ,we would again have the country we were once so proud of ! I did some counting,it looks like this(if I didn't miss anyone)
N.S.: 6 Lib MP's,3 Conservative,2 NDP
N.B.:7 Lib ,2 Con,1 NDP
PEI.:3 Lib
NFLD.5 Lib,2 Con
not a very pretty picture, but all four provinces have Conservative Provincial Governments.Let's hope it's a growing trend.So far Ivbinconned, we've ALL been conned.Let's hope spring brings in a whole new season of sensibility,things just aren't working the way they are ,for anybody but the chosen few,and they are in what we refer to as central Canada(Ont.) being east of you doesn't make it "The East" from where I'm setting.

[madcow]

Hopefully Ralph pays attention to his 'image tutor' prior to heading to Ontario, if he happens to say anything obnoxious about our oil revenue you can bet the federal hands will be deeper into our pockets in no time !

[Horse]

Guess I am prety thick between the ears but I just cant see the difference federaly or provincialy .
The only difference is in the military and indian affairs but I would bet if the provincial govmts ran those departments it would be the same thing.
Our most shall we say vocal conserative in alta is RUTHERFORD AND IF WHAT HE SPOUTS IS CONSERVATISAM TRHEN IT IS NO WONDER IT DONT CATCH ON ELSEWHERE. He seems to think that they are the chosen ones and the rest had better stick to our own place and leave the affairs of the country to them that know best.
I may not know best but I think I have a right to voice my opinion.

[Horse]

Rutherford has been critical of the provincial government on some topics horse, but I agree with you that he certainly has a bias toward conservatives.

[cowman]

I often listen to Rutherford when possible and while I agree he is pretty pro-Alberta Tories he also has a message of personal responsibility for yourself? In many ways he borders on being a libertarian?
Personally I want less government not more. If I have to have someone administer education and healthcare I would rather have it at the municipal level than at the federal or provincial level? Those boys seem to get up to Edmonton and Ottawa and start believing they are something special and don't have to answer to the dumbies back home!
Now I do believe my federal MP tries, even though in oppostion he can't do much, but my MLA is about the biggest bum we've ever had...and he's a cabinet minister!
I would hope that the Alberta Alliance party can make some solid gains in the next election, up from their 9% showing last time(first time out)? Might make the Tories get off their butts and start listening to what the people want? I would also hope the NDP and Liberals dissappear in Alberta...we don't need any tax and spend socialists here!