The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is asking Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to follow in the footsteps of Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and hold a referendum on equalization.
Prairie Director for the CTF, Todd MacKay, says that equalization is unfair to the prairie provinces, and that Saskatchewan needs to partner with Alberta, in order to have a real conversation about it.
“The Equalization Program, we need to have a real talk about it because it’s causing a lot of trouble,” said MacKay. “Alberta is committed to doing that, and Saskatchewan needs to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Alberta. We can’t be left behind, we can’t be the ones sitting on the bench, while Alberta’s out there pushing for change.”
MacKay says that by holding a public referendum on a constitutional issue, like equalization, allows for more of a chance for the federal government to talk about it.
Under equalization, provinces with stronger economies help out provinces with weaker ones. MacKay says under the current system, Manitoba, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces receive billions of dollars a year, while provinces like Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C. receive nothing.
MacKay says that the average cost of equalization to Saskatchewan residents is around $500 per person per year.
He says that in times like these, Saskatchewan people could really use that money.
“If other provinces really need it, let’s have a conversation about whether or not they need it,” said MacKay. “And if they do, whether it’s making things better, because just sending hundreds of dollars from every man, woman, and child of Saskatchewan to other provinces every year, without even checking to see if it’s doing any good, that not nearly good enough.”
MacKay says he hopes that the provinces decides to hold its own referendum, and help lead the charge, instead of just backing Alberta in theirs.
