Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinordi
How important is equity in service provision among provinces to Alberta? What does equity in fiscal capacity of the provinces contribute to stable social, business and political environments which translates to greater wealth? What value is there in providing population floors among provinces to Alberta?
Critically, how did equalization maintain Alberta's population and service delivery when it was a have-not agricultural province and did that gestate investment in the province when oil was discovered?
Again, it's a complex question and not one easily answered through gritted teeth and the sense of victimhood of having to pay for those undeserving others.
|
Tinordi, I would suggest that very few (educated) people are honestly saying "Eff you other provinces for taking our money"*** and demanding we get higher level of services since we're rich these past few decades. It's more "Eff you other provinces for not recognizing that the massive net benefit we provide to this nation came from pipelines and now you're trying to block new pipelines which will keep that gravy train going (or even extort us for them)."
I get it, we contribute a crapload more than everyone else right now. That's a good thing. Complaining about that is kind of like complaining about paying more taxes. It means you make more freakin money.
***Yes, I know how equalization works and that we don't actually physically send any money to other provinces but you get the point.