Alberta legislature. (Lethbridge News Now)

By rdnewsNOW staff

report released

Alberta’s Fair Deal report calls for equalization referendum, provincial police force

Jun 17, 2020 | 1:59 PM

The provincial government’s long awaited Fair Deal Panel Report includes more than two dozen recommendations marking a shift toward more made-in-Alberta decision making.

Among the biggest highlights from the 25 recommendations are a call for a referendum on equalization, the creation of a provincial police force to replace the RCMP, and a new pension plan.

There’s also a call for more Alberta representation in the House of Commons and the Senate, collaborate with other jurisdictions to reduce trade barriers within Canada, and to “vigorously pursue access to markets for Alberta’s exports.”

The 68-page report was tabled in the Alberta legislature on Wednesday.

The panel that put together the report over the last year held 10 large town halls, 15 additional town halls hosted by local MLAs, and an online survey that saw more than 40,000 Albertans take part.

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“Sentiments across the province varied from outright anger and a call for immediate separation, to a more nuanced sense of frustration and disappointment with the federal government, and sometimes other parts of Canada. Much of the frustration came from a combination of economic pain and a sense that the rest of the country wants to eliminate our way of life,” reads a section of the report.

The authors claim that, while some people expressed satisfaction with the fairness of the status quo, the majority of the responses were negative.

They add that sentiments of separation will likely grow if Albertans feel like they are not being heard by the federal government, but “the best option is to achieve a fairer deal for Albertans.”

“So what does fairness look like for Alberta within confederation? It consists of more autonomy, better representation and a renewed respect for all provinces and territories,” said Premier Jason Kenney. “The Government of Alberta has seriously considered the research and recommendations provided by the Fair Deal Panel and developed a plan on how best to use this information as we move to recover Alberta’s economy, continue to protect Albertans and adapt to the current challenges our province is facing.”