Thomas Jefferson, in his wisdom, wrote “In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution.”
The dictionary offers a drier take on the role of a constitution: “the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.”
Whether you prefer the vivid imagery of Jefferson or the academic definition, the point stands that a constitution exists to preserve liberty by restraining the government. A proper constitution, put in place by the governed, sets hard limits on the powers of those who govern, binding them down from mischief and overreach.
Given this, it is not surprising that growing numbers of Albertans have been calling for the province to adopt its own written constitution to curtail some of the excesses towards which the government has been tempted over the years. If constitutions exist to put a wall around government, and the tentacles of big government have increasingly crept beyond their useful and effective scope, then free enterprise and the flourishing of Albertan families could be restored by limiting government’s ability to spend, tax, expropriate, and interfere in activities best left to families, communities, investors, employees, and civil society groups. Alberta may very well need a constitution to best ensure fair treatment, equal representation, and control of resources of all types.
It is apparent that Albertans’ values, characteristics, and culture are unique in Canada, as we have consistently shown ourselves to be leaders in risk taking, wealth creation, sharing and giving. A written Alberta constitution designed and debated by all Albertans would be a visionary, collaborative, community and family building process. It would enhance the role of families, free enterprise, and help safeguard the continuation of Alberta’s unique culture.
Now more than ever, Albertans want to debate the relative roles and responsibilities of all levels of government, from the powers and make-up of municipalities to school boards and health authorities. A constitution could address big city charters or even the creation of a provincial senate with regional representation to ensure all voices are heard. A constitution respecting property rights could even protect against some of the controversies that have caught the attention of southern Albertans in recent years: transmission line build outs, abrupt changes to electricity generation, and the escalating cost of government monopolies.
Canada, and Alberta with it, have slipped comparatively in world rankings for wealth, income, job creation, opportunities, cost of living, choice and freedom and tax base. This has happened as government and taxation have grown and become a larger share of the economy, crowding out free enterprise and opportunities for individuals and the family. Tax Freedom Day, the day of the year when the average Canadian family has earned enough money to pay the taxes imposed on it by all three levels of government (federal, provincial, and local), is estimated to fall on May 19, around the time the NHL typically begins the Stanley Cup Finals for context.
An Alberta constitution that confines government inside its proper limit, including clearly defined limits on its taxation and spending power, would go a long way to enhancing Alberta’s ability to attract capital, diversify, and increase incomes and wealth for all.
Canadian governments of all levels, with combined trillions of dollars of debt, carry billions of taxpayer dollars in interest expense. The layers of red tape and lack of job, income, and wealth creation mechanisms are part of the negative legacy of big government, a legacy preferred by progressives. Progressives who wish to see government grow to meet every whim, however unnecessarily or ineffective, would find themselves stymied by a written constitution that effectively chains in government powers.
In my eight years as MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat I have seen governments and well-intended public servants bottlenecked from adjusting and downsizing government programs and services. And then old programs are exchanged for newer ones. Costs build, debt builds, interest builds and chokes out all of our important priorities. Not having a written Albertan constitution has allowed government to grow and operate inefficiently, ineffectively, and intrusively. We’ve seen proof of the old adage: “Nothing is more permanent than a temporary government program.”
Free enterprise, capitalism, classic liberal principles and entrepreneurial spirit have built Alberta into one of the last remaining jurisdictions where we have the opportunity to conserve a free, prosperous, community and family-focused society through the potential creation of our own constitution that reflects our views on government’s limits and involvement in our lives.
Alberta should be the freest, richest place in North America and an effective, encompassing, written Alberta constitution may ensure that.
As Albertans, we say: “Enough is Enough”. That’s why we’ve launched this website “Action Alberta” and a newsletter to inform, educate, and motivate Canadians to stand up, speak out and take action to address the inequality and s rel=“ubstandard treatment of Alberta and its citizens by our Federal Government. Our goal is to change how we are treated by our Federal Government.
