It’s time to end equalization payments to provinces

By Letter to the Editor on August 5, 2021.

Editor:
The upcoming vote on scrapping equalization is critically important, as it could be key to changing how Alberta is treated in Confederation.
A “yes” vote would force every province to look into equalization and hold their own vote. If 7/10 voted “yes,” it would be removed from the constitution.
Even if we lost, the federal government would take notice of Alberta,and possibly listen to our needs. But only if we give a resounding “yes” vote, will we be taken seriously.
Equalization is a joke right now. Danielle Smith just wrote “Newfoundland and Labrador is on the brink of bankruptcy yet doesn’t qualify for equalization. Quebec has been running surpluses and paying down debt, and they receive at least $10 billion a year from the program. If I had my druthers, my starting point would be that only small provinces should be allowed to qualify for equalization. I think PEI has it particularly tough – attempting to run all the government programs that are available in other provinces with a population the size of Red Deer.”
Quebec has really taken advantage of the program, and while leaving their resources in the ground, they have repeatedly blocked Alberta’s from going east!
The latest hurt their own Quebec company; GNL Quebec. A week ago saw Quebec’s Environmental Minister Benoit Charette reject a $14 billion project that would bring liquefied natural gas from Western Canada, to Port Saguenay Quebec, so it could be exported to Europe and Asia.
Charette said it did not meet his standards for the environment and may discourage natural gas buyers from using cleaner energy sources! Yet it is Alberta’s revenue from the sale of fossil fuel that pays the bulk of Quebec’s equalization payments!
It is time to cancel equalization and put in something to protect our truly vulnerable provinces.
Right now it is nothing but a cruel joke, and a pawn Quebec uses to exact gain from politicians.
Please go and vote “yes” to remove equalization from our constitution.
Jill Skriver
Lethbridge