Lacey: Fight for Alberta – Vote Yes to Abolish Equalization

EDMONTON, AB: The Fight Equalization campaign is encouraging Albertans to vote YES in the provincial equalization referendum being held on Oct. 18, 2021.

“Albertans have had it rough for the last six-plus years and we’re tired of being treated as the cash cow for the rest of Canada,” said Kevin Lacey, Alberta Director with the CTF and Campaign Director of Fight Equalization. “Voting yes in this October’s referendum is a great way to send the Trudeau government a message that the equalization status quo must go.”

The Alberta government announced the referendum on equalization will happen in conjunction with municipal elections following a recommendation from the Fair Deal Panel.

Since 1961, Albertans have sent $661 billion more to Ottawa than the province has received back in spending. Equalization is part of that, costing Alberta taxpayers about $3 billion a year, or more than $600 per Albertan.

Despite this oversized contribution to the rest of Canada, Ottawa has continued to make it harder develop Alberta’s economy through policies such as the carbon tax, discriminatory tanker ban and the No More Pipelines Law.

While Quebec receives more than half of all equalization payments, Premier François Legault has called Alberta oil “dirty energy” and that “there’s no social acceptability for an additional oil pipeline.”

“Albertans shouldn’t be expected to contribute so much money while politicians in other provinces and Ottawa continue to roadblock our development,” said Lacey. “Albertans know we are getting a raw deal and voting yes in the equalization referendum is a crucial step in Alberta’s fight for fairness.”

The Fight Equalization campaign will include campaign signs, advertising and an on-line presence.