Editor:
The equalization question reads: "Should section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 – Parliament and the Government of Canada's commitment to the principle of making equalization payments – be removed from the Constitution?" Yes or No.
Equalization payments are in the constitution as a commitment by the federal government to ensure that all Canadian citizens have access to the same level of provincial government services. It is analogous to Alberta's educational tax and funding policy, which ensures that even the poorest school district can provide a reasonable level of education to its students.
The exact provisions of the equalization program are in federal legislation but have been jointly decided by the provinces and the federal government. The current agreement was put in place when Premier Jason Kenney was part of the Harper cabinet.
Now, as premier of Alberta, he is trying to persuade Albertans that the program is unfair, largely to appeal to his right-wing political base, even though the province of Alberta does not have the power to remove equalization payments from the constitution.
In fact, the Alberta government does not make any equalization payments to Ottawa or other provinces. There is no equalization tax paid by Alberta taxpayers. Equalization payments, like those for national defence or any federal program, are made by Ottawa out of federal tax revenue, so the program is funded by all Canadian taxpayers.
Thus, both Alberta and Quebec taxpayers contribute to equalization under the same federal tax laws, with the average Albertan paying more because he/she is wealthier. Quebec receives equalization payments because its provincial tax base is smaller than the Canadian average, and Alberta does not because our provincial tax base is larger than average.
Removing equalization from the constitution would be a fundamental shift in what it means to be Canadian, where we no longer commit ourselves to ensure that all Canadians have access to similar levels of provincial government services.
When you vote in the upcoming municipal election, ask yourself if this is what you want.
Alan MacFadyen,
Canmore
