Alberta still contributing to federal equalization payments

[rage2]

haha, this sucks for Alberta. We need 3 years of being in the crapper before we can even come close to being a "have not" province.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle27831080/

But let's not try to lobby for change, because you know there would be no sympathy? Wut?

Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci said he gets phone calls and letters from residents asking why the province still contributes to equalization when it is experiencing negative economic growth. However, he said he has no plans to lobby Ottawa for changes because there would be little sympathy.

Can't wait till the day we get paid by Ontario haha.

[FraserB]

Keep in mind that this is the same idiot that thinks a downgrade in the credit rating won't increase borrowing costs.

[phreezee]

Brad Wall brought up equalization during the federal election with falling revenues. That's the difference between good government and this Ceci bozo.

[schocker]

Originally posted by rage2
But let's not try to lobby for change, because you know there would be no sympathy? Wut?

ceci is a complete moron in general

[pheoxs]

In all fairness ... he's not wrong.

This would be a federal decision and simply put Quebec and Ontario aren't going to vote in favor of less money for themselves. Trying to lobby for changes would just be a waste of dollars because it won't change.

Issues like these are why having two provinces with almost all the power in our federal government is such a pain in the ass.

[ExtraSlow]

You know, I hate those eastern bastards more than most folks, but I don't see the issue with this situation.
Equalization is meant to help balance out longer term structural differences in the revenue potential of different provinces. Not to make up for short term volatility.

My panties are not bunched about this.

[dandia89]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
You know, I hate those eastern bastards more than most folks, but I don't see the issue with this situation.
Equalization is meant to help balance out longer term structural differences in the revenue potential of different provinces. Not to make up for short term volatility.

My panties are not bunched about this.

easterners have no perception of how bad the economy is here. at least by lobbying, it would build enough credibility when we do need to reduce equalization payments. if its not done now, it has to be done at some point. O&G won't be sustainable forever

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by dandia89


easterners have no perception of how bad the economy is here. at least by lobbying, it would build enough credibility when we do need to reduce equalization payments. if its not done now, it has to be done at some point. O&G won't be sustainable forever

Neither were us when Ontario never really recovered from 2008 crisis and the high dollar by oil killed manufacturing. I don't recall they bitch about equalization there.

With Extraslow, it is what it is.

[rage2]

Well the big fear is that we never really recover from low oil prices, and Ottawa restructures equalization to fuck us over more when we're down. All it takes is an amendment to update 3 year rolling average to 5 years and we're doomed.