Alberta Politics Thread v2

[killer_carlson]

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/co...enator-ghitter

Op Ed in the Herald today from Ron Ghitter, former MLA and former Senator.

Thoughts?

We are the victims of a dysfunctional confederation exhibiting an underlying hypocrisy that pervades our political processes that Alberta is seemingly helpless to overcome.

I am not suggesting separation. I am too much of a Canadian to ever propose such a measure. But I do suggest that we take steps to take more control within our borders and face the realities of Alberta in the 21st century.

Firstly, it is time to immediately renegotiate our equalization agreement or opt out of it and take the heat.

Secondly, we should take over immigration powers within the province.

Thirdly, we should take over our own income tax system and thereby control our own financial destiny.

Fourthly, we should examine every policy intertwined with the federal government and remove ourselves from them wherever possible. This includes everything from French on our corn flakes packages and elsewhere and positioning our securities and stock exchange institutions to become independent of federal controls.

We have learned from bitter experience that we cannot depend on Ottawa to be respectful of our needs and aspirations.

And within our province, we must “bite the bullet” and implement a sales tax (the fairest of all taxes) where the revenues are solely directed at reducing our debt. We can no longer anticipate the flow of energy revenues and to be the only jurisdiction in Canada without such a tax sends out the wrong message.

The time has come to stand on our own two feet. Ottawa hardly knows we exist other than as a source of revenue to feed its voracious appetite.

Enough is enough.

[CaptainCrunch]

Sad to read, but Alberta's not the only ones that are probably feeling that way. BC and Quebec have continually ignored the current setup of the Constitution, Saskatchewan is picking fights with the Federal Government as well.


Its probably time that Canada redefines provincial powers, the original Constitution was put in place to build a country that needed strong Federal Powers, at this point the world has changed and the Federal Government is either ineffective or just plain can't build consensus, which is becoming a impossible task.


We're not as strong of a nation as we were, and that's to be expected, we're a collection of regional interests that don't get along all that well.

[PaperBagger'14]

I've had an idea to expand on the carbon tax and to make it beneficial to Alberta, but I'm no politician.

Set up carbon checkstops at one of our borders to see if this idea will work (say... BC first and go from there). If the vehicle has departed from BC, is registered to a BC address and cannot prove they have paid into AB's carbon tax through a gas receipt, they should be slapped with a levy.

Why should Albertans tax only themselves when we are allowing other provinces (especially holier than thou BC) to damage our environment tax free? If BC wants to use our roads and emit carbon on Albertan land they should have to pay to do so.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I've had an idea to expand on the carbon tax and to make it beneficial to Alberta, but I'm no politician.

Set up carbon checkstops at one of our borders to see if this idea will work (say... BC first and go from there). If the vehicle has departed from BC, is registered to a BC address and cannot prove they have paid into AB's carbon tax through a gas receipt, they should be slapped with a levy.

Why should Albertans tax only themselves when we are allowing other provinces (especially holier than thou BC) to damage our environment tax free? If BC wants to use our roads and emit carbon on Albertan land they should have to pay to do so.

I've talked about that before.



But there are a couple of problems, I'm pretty sure that BC would probably sue us because it limits cross border transport of goods.



Also if you did that you would have to apply that for everything and as it stands currently imports are carbon tax exempt, we've pretty much hurt the competitive balance of local products.


Third of all, it would be tremendously expensive because you'd have to put inspection points at every road.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I've talked about that before.



But there are a couple of problems, I'm pretty sure that BC would probably sue us because it limits cross border transport of goods.



Also if you did that you would have to apply that for everything and as it stands currently imports are carbon tax exempt, we've pretty much hurt the competitive balance of local products.


Third of all, it would be tremendously expensive because you'd have to put inspection points at every road.

I see where you're coming from and totally agree it would probably cause BC to sue us, however from my highly biased point of view is that it isnt limiting border crossing of goods any more than blocking pipelines in the name of the environment. Vehicles leaving BC have other options than driving through AB, the states has many roads they could use as well. We would have to price it so that it's still attractive to use ABs roads however.

Maybe a yearly carbon licence for transport companies, and yearly licences or one time fees for personal travelers. Maybe $50-$100 one time fee and $10000-$20000 per year per truck for a business.

It would be expensive to install for sure but for example the trans canada border crossing could utilize the banff park access point already in service.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I see where you're coming from and totally agree it would probably cause BC to sue us, however from my highly biased point of view is that it isnt limiting border crossing of goods any more than blocking pipelines in the name of the environment. Vehicles leaving BC have other options than driving through AB, the states has many roads they could use as well. We would have to price it so that it's still attractive to use ABs roads however.

Both actions are under Federal Powers. Both blocking the pipeline and blocking or tarriffing vehicles to and from BC are breaking constitutional law. You want to see Rage, put the block in place and watch the Federals come down hard on Alberta.

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Maybe a yearly carbon licence for transport companies, and yearly licences or one time fees for personal travelers. Maybe $50-$100 one time fee and $10000-$20000 per year per truck for a business.

I doubt it would survive the lawsuit filed by those companies and the BC government.

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

It would be expensive to install for sure but for example the trans canada border crossing could utilize the banff park access point already in service.

I said that we need to up our inspection points and fine BC vehicles for everything that's the least bit fineable.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/co...enator-ghitter

Op Ed in the Herald today from Ron Ghitter, former MLA and former Senator.

Thoughts?

I think a lot of that is just pointless grandstanding, or maybe an old man yelling at a cloud. Taking French off our packaging isn’t accomplishing anything. And when I read about the financial system I wonder how he thinks the securities arm currently operates in Alberta? We have a separate securities commission here, so mission accomplished I guess? And for the record, that’s one of the things that absolutely should be changed to make things easier in Canada; just have one federal securities regulator and call it a day.

Anyway, some of his other points are interesting, but have largely been brought up before.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Sad to read, but Alberta's not the only ones that are probably feeling that way. BC and Quebec have continually ignored the current setup of the Constitution, Saskatchewan is picking fights with the Federal Government as well.


Its probably time that Canada redefines provincial powers, the original Constitution was put in place to build a country that needed strong Federal Powers, at this point the world has changed and the Federal Government is either ineffective or just plain can't build consensus, which is becoming a impossible task.


We're not as strong of a nation as we were, and that's to be expected, we're a collection of regional interests that don't get along all that well.

I actually think the opposite is true. I'm pretty right wing/conservative/libertarian but I think there is too much regional power and the feds need to step in more and centralize things so that regional issues don't destroy projects or whatever.

There shouldn't be regional gaming and liquor boards. Health care should be nationalized and standardized across all provinces. Maybe even education should be federally mandated although I'm not sure about that one.

What the feds need to be doing is unifying the regions and promoting cooperation instead of segregating regions and creating division.

[dino7c]

Its -40 out yet I am paying carbon tax for the wasteful heating of my home

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Neither does me recycling yet my blue bin is full.

you got all that #### out of your house though...fyi a large chunk of it will end up in the landfill

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I actually think the opposite is true. I'm pretty right wing/conservative/libertarian but I think there is too much regional power and the feds need to step in more and centralize things so that regional issues don't destroy projects or whatever.

There shouldn't be regional gaming and liquor boards. Health care should be nationalized and standardized across all provinces. Maybe even education should be federally mandated although I'm not sure about that one.

What the feds need to be doing is unifying the regions and promoting cooperation instead of segregating regions and creating division.

I guess, but it will never work unless Quebec is willing to give up being a distinct society within Canada.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I actually think the opposite is true. I'm pretty right wing/conservative/libertarian but I think there is too much regional power and the feds need to step in more and centralize things so that regional issues don't destroy projects or whatever.

There shouldn't be regional gaming and liquor boards. Health care should be nationalized and standardized across all provinces. Maybe even education should be federally mandated although I'm not sure about that one.

What the feds need to be doing is unifying the regions and promoting cooperation instead of segregating regions and creating division.

Not sure how more power for the Feds is going to make anything better for Alberta. Unless they change how elections go and Alberta (or anywhere that doesn't currently matter) have equal say.

Otherwise its just more pandering to the voting power.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Not sure how more power for the Feds is going to make anything better for Alberta. Unless they change how elections go and Alberta (or anywhere that doesn't currently matter) have equal say.

Otherwise its just more pandering to the voting power.

Would more power for the provinces help us in our current conundrum either though? I mean a piece of the issue (if not the main problem) is that a small group is holding everything up. That only gets worse with decentralization.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Slava

Would more power for the provinces help us in our current conundrum either though? I mean a piece of the issue (if not the main problem) is that a small group is holding everything up. That only gets worse with decentralization.

Far less tax dollars going to Ottawa would absolutely help Alberta.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by dino7c

you got all that #### out of your house though...fyi a large chunk of it will end up in the landfill

And yet I do it anyways, because it's better than nothing. And if no one had the attitude that they could make a difference, however minor, then nothing will change. But something needs to change.

No single drop of rain thinks it's responsible for the flood.

[DiracSpike]

Yeah, the recycling analogy really doesn't make any sense when there's no externalities to you recycling. It's very Canadian though to think we're making a difference or any of the big boys give half a #### what we do or don't do.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Not a good look for Toor if even partially true.

[Fuzz]

Oooohh, nonono, the position was assistant to the manager, not assistant manager. Now go scrub that toilet.

[Envitro]

If it's true, shady AF. Almost like modern-day slave trade, like Dubai.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

And yet I do it anyways, because it's better than nothing. And if no one had the attitude that they could make a difference, however minor, then nothing will change. But something needs to change.

No single drop of rain thinks it's responsible for the flood.

Thanks Captain Planet