By Troy Gillard

calls fiscal federalism a ‘rigged partnership’

MLA Stephan says Alberta ‘undermined’ by structural welfare of equalization

Jun 16, 2021 | 4:24 PM

The UCP MLA for Red Deer-South says it’s a stacked deck when it comes to Alberta getting a fair deal when it comes to equalization.

Jason Stephan delivered a member’s statement in the Alberta legislature this week to share his opinion that fiscal federalism a “rigged partnership.”

Stephan suggests his feelings reflect those of many Albertans.

“It is apparent that fiscal federalism is a rigged partnership, resulting in perpetual, structural welfare payments from Alberta businesses and families, primarily to Quebec, a partner whose actions unfortunately, regularly undermine the interests of Alberta, the rainmaker partner, and the partnership as a whole,” Stephan said in an email statement on Tuesday.

“The unfortunate truth is, in real world, Quebec would be kicked out the partnership.”

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In his statement in the legislature on Monday, Stephan took aim at Quebec Premier François Legault saying equalization is one of his favorite things about Canada.

“Ponder that, Quebec’s loyalty to Canada is founded upon what it takes from other provinces?” Stephan suggested. “What happens when the welfare ends? “

Stephan also said Quebec gets a “de facto veto” on changes to Canada’s constitution, a constitution it never signed, in order to protect the status quo.

“How will a referendum to remove equalization from the constitution be received, if Quebec’s transactional loyalty to Canada is founded upon it?” he pondered.

“It is not right to require Alberta businesses and families to have unconditional loyalty to a fiscally and morally bankrupt partnership that plunders and oppresses them.”

Stephan concluded his member’s statement by saying, “Unconditional, blind loyalty to imperfect individuals and partnerships will ultimately fail. Loyalty to the truth and to its principles will, in the end, always prevail. Security is found in a shared loyalty to truth, trusting in the peace of its principles.”