Lowering corporate tax is more important than social programs. People spend their money better than government can; less is more. The only economy is an oil and gas economy. Albertans swallowed this propaganda fearlessly as they basked in great salaries, toys and homes. Meanwhile, Americans garnered their oil at record low prices for decades at behest of provincial conservatives, doing business until Americans no longer would.
Provincial sales tax is still taboo. Heritage Trust Fund is a shadow of what it was. The Conservatives could have implemented a matching savings plan decades ago to protect Albertans against income loss. Please God, give us another boom and I promise not to piss it away this time.
Through 1940-50s, Quebec premier refused federal money to expand post-secondary education. Can’t have a thinking electorate. Duplessis oppressed Quebec residents while enticing business owners by ensuring the lowest wages in North America, as he demonized federal Liberals. Dividing, he ensured his power.
Mr. Kenney just cut environmental monitoring - suppressing data on climate change. Can’t have an electorate knowing what their future holds! Alberta has been handmaiden to American imperialism - and Mr. Kenney is glad to continue their bidding, mitigating a 40-year appropriation.
Mr. Kenney reminds Canadians of billions in equalization payments Alberta sacrificed, then fuels rage at the federal government by harping about Bill 69 etc. In what world would federal government kill their ‘golden goose’? None.
Entrenched in a waning industry now, Albertans scramble in fear bolstering leaders that history will only call Machiavellian or worse.
Catherine Worthingham
Duncan