Blue Blue Blue like the cyanotic hue
From the apoplexy of sharing with Quebec.
1. You quickly quote the constitution until the sections dont suit you. Equalization payments are designed based on tax structures to ensure that the cost of public programs and taxation in each province are not outrageously dissimilar. Quebec, as the most populous have not province receives payments. This has nothing to do with the French question so take your bigoted debates about that to another thread.
Excuse me, but what I said has nothing to do with the French question. I just wonder why Alberta, or any other province, has to cover the cost of programs in Quebec that are not available in the rest of Canada, given that equalization is supposed to make sure that public programs are not outrageously dissimilar, as you state. Has nothing to do with language, or race.
I live in Ontario, the ONLY province to NEVER have received equalization payments. Alberta received payments from 1957- 1964, at the time when she was developing her oil industry. IN FACT, it is recognized that these subsidies from the rest of her countrys citizens enabled Alberta to develop and become the rich province it is. So now you can pay ME back. (And in fact in polls, 55% of Albertans agreed that natural resources are to be shared with the country--guess we know you were in the 45%)
Gee, seven years. So since 1964 Alberta has been a contributor to Canada? That's what, 42 years? I think we have paid you back and then some. In fact, Albertans pay more per capita than any other person in Canada, so do not presume to lecture me about paying you back. When Ontarians pay the same PER CAPITA as Albertans, then we can talk. Until then, your arguments are moot. Let's also not forget that the NEP in the early 80's destroyed Albertas economy, and this was deliberately done by Trudeau in order to maintain his stranglehold on power from Central Canada, aka Ontario.
2. If you dont think the oil industry creates pollution then you better study its production. First there is the heavy burning of gas and use of water to extract and produce it. But one of the big problems is the methane released during the tapping of the oil. Now your own countrymen know about this cause they can smell it. The statistics about producing half of the greenhouse emissions in Canada are not mine---look em up. The oil companies could tap the gas and use it but it is not lucrative enough for them to bother so they just let it out. Much as other Albertans, I expect.
So why should Ontarios auto industry be exempt? Answer: because to to otherwise would have been political suicide for the power at any cost liberals.
3. Your gas needed for production energy is running out. That is why Alberta is now deciding to put in nuclear plants to keep the energy running.
No. Nuclear is cleaner. You should like the initiative we are showing in this regard. We have not bought into the nuclear scare tactics.
4. Actually I have friends who have flown jets from Cold Lake and they cant guarantee your defence.
You miss the point entirely. The US will certainly defend Alberta and our industries in case of attack by outside sources. With Harper in charge, this may not be necessary given enough time.
5. Final thought for you. The government revenues your province is raking in from the oil have been dramatically reduced over the past years. This is due not to federal taxation, but to the provincial policy started by Getty and continued by Klein which reduced royalty rates and taxes to ensure investment. However, now that investment is rolling, the government has not changed these incentives. So STILL, by the Generic Royalty Regime, oil sand companies can write off 100% of their capital costs (other companies are 30%) and they dont have to pay any royalties to the government until they have achieved a guaranteed rate of return on their investment. In fact, in 1999- 2000, your government collected more revenue from its HOTEL ROOM TAX than from the oil companies. Now, I think you are being ripped off but not by me---on top of this, Klein wanted to privatize health care---Yeah, cause he hasnt got any money for public health care.
As for stocking away money and clearing the debts. Well if you compare Alberta to a similar place, Norway, who has similar oil production costs with similar populaation needs over the past 30 years, the NOrway Petroleum Fund (for the public use ) stands now at $165 Billion US, and only uses ethical investing. Alberta after the same time and production has in its Heritage fund....$14.3 Billion. I would ask the rich CEOs of your oil companies where your money is, not Quebec.
I do not pretend to know about Norway and its situation, but it sounds as if Norway may have nationlized the oil industry in that country. If that is true, then I am opposed to that scenario. What is the cost of a litre of gasoline in Norway, and how much of it is tax?
