The $2.5 billion return of funds from Ottawa to Alberta is simply that, a return of funds from Ottawa back to Alberta from whence it came. This transfer of capital is a mere pittance of what is needed to inject real stamina into the industry that drives the national economy. Once reality sets in and Albertans realize how insignificant this amount of money is, then and only then will we realize how little interest this Liberal government has in the social fabric of Alberta or welfare of Albertans.
With Albertans having contributed in excess of $600 billion to this failing confederation
On one side we were shown our net worth to Canada in the form of a share (yes, a share with two other provinces) of $2.5 billion. However, when the coin was flipped we saw the price we had to pay by way of Trudeau’s contrived “environmental crisis” . Trudeau would not, could not, allow us to have this funding without paying a price. Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC and orphan wells were the side show, “environmental crisis” was Trudeau’s real message to the eco-zealots. He was publicly making us pay penance for our “orphan well” sins.
At a time when $20 or $30 billion is needed to provide much needed traction to the oil and gas sector, Albertans need to reflect heavily on the insignificance of this $2.5 billion. I understand, and am absolutely delighted that 5,500 jobs will be created from this fund. But the rest of Canada needs to be made aware that the oil and gas industry and Alberta contribute a staggering 11% of GDP, and an average $13 billion per year in transfer payments to Quebec alone.
And what do we receive in return? A share of a paltry $2.5 billion. This is our net worth to this country. With Albertans having contributed in excess of $600 billion to this failing confederation, our oil and gas sector (and Albertans) have given their all to Canada. Yet the very industry that provides so much is now being eviscerated by this Liberal government, environmental zealots and socialist academic “do nothing” buffoons who are totally out of touch with the importance of an industry that is inextricably linked to the economic survival of Canada as a nation.
I would like you to partake in a thought-provoking exercise. Imagine the entire Canadian auto industry is rooted in Alberta with Bombardier and SNC headquartered in Saskatchewan and the oil and gas sector is located in Quebec and Ontario. With oil and gas being the economic engine of the east, both Liberals and Conservatives alike would be falling over themselves to ensure these sources of income thrived no matter the cost. The environmental zealots and special interest groups would be vanquished into obscurity while socialist academics would be told to keep their uninformed opinions to themselves.
To further support the sector, a federally funded national pipeline system would be built, the pipelines would be complimented by two massive, purpose built (to accommodate super-tankers) oil terminals located in Montreal and Vancouver harbour and whales would fall below Albertans on the survival list.
Alas, the Alberta auto industry would have been decimated in the 2008 financial crash resulting in the return of the three major manufacturers back to the US. Bombardier Saskatchewan would be out of business after being shunned by the feds the first time it requested a $100 million bailout, and poor old SNC would not be getting those plum government contracts they were so reliant on when headquartered in Quebec.
With these thought-provoking hypotheses at the fore, Albertans need to return their thoughts to the current situation. It is time for Albertans to demand a sovereign Alberta. Albertans are ready and prepared to choose their own destiny!
Ken Pirie
Medicine Hat, Alberta
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.
