"The west wants out": Separatist sentiments growing in Alberta
- Thread starter B00Mer
- Start date
Interesting article but somewhat 2 dimensional and also missing the point on the big picture.
To start, the suggestion that AB (or SK) institute a PST is straight from the Liberal/NDP playbook... Tax the masses at every turn rather than control Fed/Prov spending or providing an advantageous economic environment that will add money to the pockets of the population and various levels of gvt.
Sad that MacLeans doesn't have the depth of thought to recognize this most basic of concepts.
In terms of a referendum on Equalization in AB, MacLeans, again, misses the point.
The extension that Notley (and the rest of the Premiers) signed onto was for only 5 years.. That was a couple of years ago now.
Holding a referendum today in AB with such negative sentiment to this program will absolutely provide Kenney with the ability to tell Ottawa that AB is out in the next 3 years or so when the issue is up for renewal.
Further to this, AB also has the option to initiate it's own pension program to replace CPP, potentially an provincial EI program and/or establish it's own Provincial Police Force.... Taking these actions will result in billions of dollars never being sent to Ottawa from the get-go. Add in the potential of SK doing the same and that dollar figure rises significantly
In the end, the effect will be that Ottawa will have far fewer dollars in general revenues with which to buy the Eastern vote.
What Kenney and Scott Moe are doing is both practical and tactical... If the Feds take a strong-arm approach and attempt to force AB/SK into continued existence as an ATM machine, you throw gas on an already raging Separatist fire.. Allow the proposed programs to move forward, and you starve Ottawa of vote bribing money.
It's the smart play in the end
Let us know how it all works out . I am wondering how many detractors will be there or if it is all full speed ahead separatist.
You'll probably enjoy camping, you know, once the resource tax money comes to a screeching halt
Internment camps ... That's how most governments around the world deal with people like you.
There are that many Albertans who don't understand they can leave Canada any time they like?
Just leave your dope and health care behind.
Well then, I guess that you and the other inbreds, loading up the ole mini van and heading West to be the super patriot that you believe to be.
PS - Don't forget to get a good supply of sharp pointy sticks together!
There have been a handful that have done this in the last while.
... It's inevitable