Alberta has long played a pivotal role in Canadian federalism, with its economic might and vast oil reserves. However, the province’s equalization contributions have never quite matched its ability to influence the national agenda. This is partly due to Alberta’s size, but also reflects the province’s subdued role on the
Continue readingStraight Outta Edmonton: A New, Robust Role for Alberta in Federalism
For decades, the province engaged in an isolationist, defensive stance, strongly fending off any federal encroachment into its perceived sphere of control. This approach was consistent with both Liberal and Conservative governments in Ottawa, representing deep-seated resentment of Alberta’s expendable nature in a system where elections are largely determined by vote rich central Canada.
However, the nature of the challenges confronting Alberta today raises doubts as to the viability of this approach, particularly with increasing concerns over the province’s energy industry. Isolationism will not help the province overcome barriers to developing new means of transporting oilsands product to market, slashing the hefty discount purchasers are currently receiving. Neither will it address the major labour shortages facing Alberta, which involves making it easier for the province to lure workers from across the country and around the world. Rather, these challenges require Alberta to take a more robust role in federalism to shape the national agenda and ensure our interests are advanced.
Alberta’s role in confederation is a central issue at stake this election, with Allison Redford and Danielle Smith pitting two starkly different visions against each other. Visions both women outlined in speeches at the Economic Club of Canada a few months apart.
To Danielle Smith (speech), the solution is sticking to our isolationism and relying on a friendly federal government to make Alberta’s case to the rest of the country. Smith recognizes that this will make it difficult to expand our US oilsands market or develop new ones in Asia, but believes that an “all-Canadian solution” is the answer. By retrofitting current infrastructure, oil should flow west-east, eliminating the eastern Canada’s reliance on foreign oil and allowing depressed manufacturing regions of Ontario and Quebec to benefit from refining. A form of economic nationalism that one would expect to be proposed by Gordon Laxer, the Alberta Federation of Labour or the Alberta New Democrats than the Wild Rose.
How exactly she plans on accomplishing this without significant inter-provincial coordination is puzzling. However, the more important question is how this benefits Alberta. Refining oilsands product in Canada will increase the discount it’s sold at currently, meaning we will sell less oil and make less on each barrel sold.
Alison Redford (speech) on the other hand is calling for a break from the past, arguing that Alberta should take on a more robust role in Canadian federalism. At the core of this new role is her push for a Canadian Energy Strategy that will coordinate and advance provincial energy interests as a whole. In effect, the attempt is to link the oilsands to the energy interests of other provinces, in order to change national attitudes towards the industry. Although this sounds promising, the strategy lacks any real specifics to gauge what tradeoffs Alberta will be making in order to convince other provinces to get on board.
Regardless of what the election’s outcome, there are questions related to Alberta’s approach to federalism and its ability to address the challenges confronting the province. While the Wild Rose may have intentions of returning the province to the days of Manning, Lougheed and Klein, they and Albertans should be aware that the issues they dealt with are quite different from those that are confronting us today.
Straight Outta Edmonton: A New, Robust Role for Alberta in Federalism
Alberta has long played a pivotal role in Canadian federalism, with its economic might and vast oil reserves. However, the province’s equalization contributions have never quite matched its ability to influence the national agenda. This is partly due to Alberta’s size, but also reflects the province’s subdued role on the
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: How Old Age Security Should Have Been Reformed
Instead of raising the retirement age and distressing seniors with low-income the government should have prevented wealthier Canadians from receiving Old Age Security; not only would this have been fairer but would have saved hundereds of millions of dollars more. It makes sense that Canadians who are 65 and older
Continue readingBlunt Objects: Abacus Data Poll #AbVote – 41% WRP, 28% PC
This Abacus poll makes it the fourth poll since Ipsos Reid’s 38-38 tie to produce some major momentum for the Wildrosers by placing them ahead of the PCs, and sixth overall to produce some momentum for the Wildrosers. That means one thing: trend (basically) confirmed. The Wildrosers are on their
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Saturday Photo: More Signs of Spring
When I was in Brazil a few years ago, I was told that the bougainvillea was called “primavera”, or spring. Haven’t been able to track that down–most of the translation sites give buganvilea as the Portuguese term–but certainly this spring for the first time in years my bougainvillea is blooming.
Continue readingA BCer in Toronto: Rae’s budget town hall: From gas prices to gas taxes, and other stuff too
This morning I randomly heard that interim Liberal leader Bob Rae and members of the Liberal caucus were holding a post-budget town hall at the Armenian Community Centre in Toronto. After debating it for a bit, I decided to drop my previous Saturday plan of re-runs of Holmes Inspection, followed
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Thomas Mulcair and the Struggle for Canada
(Click pic to enlarge) Oh boy. What a difference a week makes. It seems like just yesterday when I was waiting for the fog to lift, and wondering who will save us from Stephen Harper’s ghastly regime? Because I really don’t want to live in a country like this one.
Continue readingOur Morning Ride.
BigWheelsKeepOn Turnin’Ville littler e. and me went for a ride today. The weather was not good. But it was fun anyway. Except. e. had to go to the Vice-Principals’ offices. But that is only because she really, really likes owls. It’s true. (and yes, there is no grammar in bike
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: As The Maldives Slowly Erode Away: A Review Of "The Island President" Documentary
photo4thumb.jpg Mohamed "Anni" Nasheed caught widespread attention when he held a cabinet meeting underneath the sea in the months leading up to the Copenhagen climate summit in 2009. He continued to captivate negotiators, governments, and climate advocates with his frank and outspoken demeanor, sometimes for better or for worse. As
Continue readingStaffroom Confidential: Bill 22 and Class Size/Class Composition
Bill 22 eliminates all class composition limits. There is no longer a need to report or consult regardless of the number of students with an IEP in a single class. Nothing will now prevent Administrators from “clustering” students with an IEP into classes and nothing ensures they will receive adequate
Continue readingWolcott skewers Shaidle for defending bullying: "strenuously witless".
One of the best tweets of the day involves the formidable James Wolcott taking on the diminutive Kathy Shaidle for an article she wrote celebrating the bully lifestyle.
Continue readingLeftist Jab: "If there was ever a Northern Alberta budget, this is it." Rona Ambrose
Symbolically, Parliament has already moved to Suncor’s plant in Fort McMurray. “The West wants in”! Substitute “West” by “Conservative Alberta” and this budget illustrates just how far “in” they are and how they’ve thrown everyone else out. As Rona Ambrose expresses quite clearly, there is very little relief for much
Continue readingThe World Famous Dan Shields: 4408…Trudeau Junior/Senator Brazeau Fight 2Nite
On SunTV. Should be fun. Last time I checked Bodog, an offshore bookie started by a Sask boy, had the Senator at -500. Elizabeth May, the MP and leader of the Green Party opined that it, the fight, was undignified. I say all work and no play is what has
Continue readingIn This Corner: Election blog #2: On ‘pure laine’ Albertans, and tawdry Tweets
When Danielle Smith smugly surmised that Alison Redford didn’t even like Alberta, I thought we might have hit a low point in the provincial election — and in less than a week! Then, just a couple of days later, a new low point. I can’t picture going much lower than
Continue readingThe World Famous Dan Shields: 4407…Still No Juno Buzz In Ottawa
And, in the words of the immortal Hank Snow, I’ve been everywhere. Little Final Four buzz and, of course, The Sens. WFDS
Continue readingThe World Famous Dan Shields: 4406…Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk
Finally the Big Dance. Ohio State vs. Kansas; Kentucky vs. Louisville. Off to the beer store. WFDS
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: CTV host allegedly tells boss to f— himself by David Akin
Columnist says CTV appears to be considering disciplinary action for one of its high-profile Parliament Hill television hosts in the wake of an incident at a post-budget party attended by top government and opposition politicians.
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: What The IPCC Ignores, According To The GWPF
GWPF.jpeg This series of posts (1, 2, 3, 4) examines the UK-registered educational charity & climate-change denying think-tank the Global Warming Policy Foundation GWPF. This fifth post examines one of the assertions made within GWPF Briefing Paper No1. The paper boldly claims that the findings of the UN IPCC are too narrow
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