The Liberal leader says a Liberal government is going to raise taxes&#

[tango]

So you're offering to pay the extra $20,000 that people in other parts of the country aren't required to pay? Excellent.

As for love it or leave it, as soon as my employer signs that little "sponsor" form, I'm gone. US bound. Unfortunately, time runs slow on the US-Canada work visa application process.

Here's the real rationalization.

The constitutional commitment underlying

the equalization program is “to ensure that

provincial governments have sufficient revenues

to provide reasonably comparable levels of public

services at reasonably comparable levels of

taxation.”

OH! btw ... know why many US companies locate here?

Because our health care is so much cheaper it more than makes up for the higher wages.

I hope you enjoy yourself south of the border!

ta-ta!

[Smallc]

So you're offering to pay the extra $20,000 that people in other parts of the country aren't required to pay? Excellent.

You're really not getting this. Services are delivered on a per capita basis while income taxes are collected on the basis of income....if you don't want to pay more than you get back....take your own advice, and move.

[Smallc]

Ontario will be especially happy to grab $347 million of "shared wealth" this year because, as we all know, the province is a "one trick pony with an economy based on a couple of auto manufacturers and not much else".

Ontario has what is probably one of the most diverse economies in Canada. It will recover just fine.

[Smallc]

So equalization isn't about ensuring that all Canadians have access to the same basic services at comparable tax rates (as you said), it's about "sharing the wealth".

It was never about basic services...it's about similar levels of service....that requires that resources be moved from province to province.

[Smallc]

As for love it or leave it, as soon as my employer signs that little "sponsor" form, I'm gone. US bound.

I see you're just as loyal to Alberta as you are to Canada...well, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[Hydraboss]

At the November 3, 2008 Federal-Provincial-Territorial Finance Ministers meeting, Alberta, as did all provinces, agreed to the planned restructuring of the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) intended to reach an equitable provincial per capita distribution by 2014-15... as committed to in the 2007 Federal budget.

Various groups within Ontario (Ontario Hospital Association, ActNowForOntario, etc.), have come forward in the past highlighting the inequitable position Ontario faced... calling for more immediate CHT restructuring... that 2014 is too far away - a somewhat moot point now, given Ontario’s recent entry as a Receiving province where all Equalization-Receiving provinces receive the same per capita CHT cash.

... along the smooth transition path to full/complete equal per capita 2014-15 CHT cash for all provinces:

Canada Health Transfer      											
	NL	PE	NS	NB	QC	ON	MB	SK	AB	BC

 	(dollars per capita)										
2008–09 	713	713	713	713	713	674	713	804	508	725	
2009–10 	734	734	734	734	734	734	734	822	532	734	

 	(millions of dollars)										
2008–09 	362	100	669	533	5,520	8,706	860	816	1,817	3,172	
2009–10 	372	103	690	550	5,716	9,584	890	832	1,923	3,248

... now, in an attempt to correct its own agreed to "injustice", Alberta could attempt to "renegotiate" the agreement (in the media, no less), to disrupt the agreed to smooth transition to a 2014-15 equal per capita CHT distribution..... but that would put pressure on the Harper Conservative government - unless its already a done deal and the Stelmach media dance is simply a precursor to..........

Smallc, I see that you're right. Equalization is paid on a per capita basis. And, oh, what an equitable system it is (kind of like Health Transfers).

Alberta - $508 per capita

Everywhere else - $more

[Hydraboss]

I see you're just as loyal to Alberta as you are to Canada...well, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

I am remarkably "loyal" to Alberta, but I cannot stand by and watch it go down the drain with the rest of Canada. Better to leave it than to have to watch it die slowly. As for Canada, it can kiss my ass.

[Smallc]

Equalization is paid on a per capita basis.

Never said it was. Equalization allows provinces to have similar amounts of money to send per capita (up to the 2008 average + inflation). The CHT is per capita for have not provinces, and on the basis of need for have provinces. You can't understand it...that's ok.

[Smallc]

I am remarkably "loyal" to Alberta, but I cannot stand by and watch it go down the drain with the rest of Canada.

Yes, loyal people always give up and leave...oh, and Canada's going down the drain...

[Hydraboss]

Never said it was. Equalization allows provinces to have similar amounts of money to send per capita (up to the 2008 average + inflation). The CHT is per capita for have not provinces, and on the basis of need for have provinces. You can't understand it...that's ok.

If the CHT is per capita for "have not" provinces, why does Alberta receive it? Why are we even on the chart under "Per Capita"?

[tango]

Every province and country is in economic difficulty right now.

Are you absolutely sure you are going to find things 'better' south of the border?

How much is your medical insurance going to cost?

Edited April 17, 2009 by tango

[Smallc]

If the CHT is per capita for "have not" provinces, why does Alberta receive it? Why are we even on the chart under "Per Capita"?

The formula is moving so that in the end all provinces receive the same thing. Alberta will move up until it's equal with the rest...I'm not sure what Saskatchewan is higher than the rest though.

[Hydraboss]

Every province and country is in economic difficulty right now.

Are you absolutely sure you are going to find things 'better' south of the border?

How much is your medical insurance going to cost?

Employer already did the math (for salary purposes) and it's amazing how much less I pay (net - my portion) for top-notch coverage compared to the tax reduction of leaving Canada. I have the option of continuing Alberta Health Care as long as I maintain ex-pat status and return to Alberta at least every six months for a short time. HMO for our family with everything is $485/month with co-pay. When you compare that to the income tax savings for my wife and I, it's a drop in the bucket.

[tango]

Enjoy!

[Smallc]

I guess he really is an Alberta Separatist...he's separating form Alberta. Oh well, there's no state in the union as rich as Alberta is and many of them get handouts from the federal government...so he can go fight the good fight down there now.

[normanchateau]

I am remarkably "loyal" to Alberta, but I cannot stand by and watch it go down the drain with the rest of Canada. As for Canada, it can kiss my ass.

These sentiments are remarkably similar:

"It is imperative to take the initiative, to build firewalls around Alberta, to limit the extent to which an aggressive and hostile federal government can encroach upon legitimate provincial jurisdiction." (Stephen Harper, National Post, January 24, 2001)

“If Ottawa giveth, then Ottawa can taketh away… This is one more reason why Westerners, but Albertans in particular, need to think hard about their future in this country. After sober reflection, Albertans should decide that it is time to seek a new relationship with Canada. …Canada appears content to become a second-tier socialistic country, boasting ever more loudly about its economy and social services to mask its second-rate status …Having hit a wall, the next logical step is not to bang our heads against it. It is to take the bricks and begin building another home – a stronger and much more autonomous Alberta”. (Stephen Harper, National Post, December 8, 2000)

Perhaps after Harper is given a well-deserved boot in the ass by the rest of Canada after the next election, he can return to Alberta and "liberate" it.

[normanchateau]

This is Ignatieff's first real mistake as Liberal leader.

Either that or it may work to Ignatieff's advantage.

Most Canadians remember that Harper said one thing about income trusts before the election but did exactly the opposite and rationalized it after the next election. Arguably, that tainted Harper irreversibly even among some Conservative supporters. Since then, the disconnect between his actions and what his supporters believe are Harper's fundamental beliefs has increased. His supporters rationalize it as something he must do to stay in power. Others who don't support him, view him as a liar and hypocrite.

After three years of Harper, I would like to think that Canadians are now becoming ready to elect a Prime Minister whose mistakes include being candid and honest. Sure, it's a risky strategy but it might just work.