Are Albertans really paying for Quebec’s social programs?
April 20, 2012
Michael Holden is the Senior Economist at the Canada West Foundation. Canada West Foundation is the only think tank dedicated to being the objective, nonpartisan voice for issues of vital concern to Western Canadians.
Student protests in Quebec have triggered a curious response from some observers. Appalled that Quebecers have the audacity to protest tuition fees rising from the lowest in the country to possibly the second-lowest, they opine that the only reason Quebec can afford such fees in the first place is on the back of the Alberta taxpayer. As the narrative goes, Quebec’s low tuition, $7-a-day daycare and other generous social programs are all being paid for by hard-working Albertans who could only dream of affording such luxuries themselves.
This story appeals to Albertans convinced that Ottawa and Quebec are stealing our wealth, but this is simply not the case. Let’s start with the idea that Alberta sends money to Quebec. This is incorrect on two levels.
continued here
April 20, 2012
Michael Holden is the Senior Economist at the Canada West Foundation. Canada West Foundation is the only think tank dedicated to being the objective, nonpartisan voice for issues of vital concern to Western Canadians.
Student protests in Quebec have triggered a curious response from some observers. Appalled that Quebecers have the audacity to protest tuition fees rising from the lowest in the country to possibly the second-lowest, they opine that the only reason Quebec can afford such fees in the first place is on the back of the Alberta taxpayer. As the narrative goes, Quebec’s low tuition, $7-a-day daycare and other generous social programs are all being paid for by hard-working Albertans who could only dream of affording such luxuries themselves.
This story appeals to Albertans convinced that Ottawa and Quebec are stealing our wealth, but this is simply not the case. Let’s start with the idea that Alberta sends money to Quebec. This is incorrect on two levels.
continued here