Category: equalization

Alberta Government Paper Calls for Change or End to Federal Equalization Program

EDMONTON—Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government has heard “loud and clear from Albertans that the federal equalization program is unfair and must be changed or abolished.” In a April 21 news release accompanying a position paper title Responding to Canada’s Growth Challenge – Options to Reform Equalization, Smith suggests that the current program “creates barriers…


‘Cut It’: Taxpayer Advocate, Experts Weigh In on Equalization Changes

A day after a taxpayer advocacy group called for provincial equalization to be phased out, Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest pledged reforms to the program to satisfy Alberta. As politicians converged in Calgary for the annual Stampede festival which kicked off on July 7, Canadian Taxpayers Federation federal director Franco Terrazzano said Ottawa should wind…