Did you know Alberta once went bankrupt

[jacee]

It would be difficult to stamp out prejudice without laying waste to Quebec. It occurs in all provinces, sure, but nowhere is bigotry so blatant and ignored as Quebec. They even elected an unrepentent bigot for a Premier.

How much time have you ever spent in Quebec, or with francophone friends or relatives actually learning about their experience in Canada, trying to understand their perspective?

Because prejudice borne of ignorance and lobbed at people from a safe distance is just immature and ugly.

Edited November 12, 2012 by jacee

[Guest]

How much time have you ever spent in Quebec, or with francophone friends or relatives actually learning about their experience in Canada, trying to understand their perspective?

Because prejudice borne of ignorance and lobbed at people from a safe distance is just immature and ugly.

It sure is.

What exactly is an unsafe distance to talk about Quebec?

[westguy]

Jacee and others

western racism???-what about Quebec racism?? who is it that makes English largely an illegal language? who is it that threatens to leave Canada? on top of that - the other provinces are not as reliant on equalization payments as Quebec ( $257b over 50 yrs) I chalenge you to tell me which province has received as much from the ROC as Quebec?

[The_Squid]

who is it that makes English largely an illegal language?

exaggerate much?

[Smallc]

chalenge you to tell me which province has received as much from the ROC as Quebec?

Per capita numbers are far more important than the total.

[TheNewTeddy]

western racism???-what about Quebec racism?? who is it that makes English largely an illegal language?

Nobody "makes English largely an illegal language" and to imply so is, frankly, racist. (in the context of this discussion)

[westguy]

Please explain the intent of bill 101. Please also explain the remova; of the canadian flag. Please also explain why NO province has had the benefit of $257b fromthe ROC.

[cybercoma]

After being corrected several times, how can you still not understand transfer payments, westguy?

[blueblood]

There's a difference between being in legitimate trouble and needing transfer payments and abusing said transfer payments by creating excess programs which need those transfer payments.

I don't hear of provinces in the Atlantic creating largesse govt programs, yet their economic situation warrants transfer payments. A province the size of Quebec, it's population, and proximity to American markets and world markets should not make it a have not province, yet there it is. That's the problem people have.

[westguy]

i understand that some provinces (mainly Alberta)pay for the benefit of others (mainly Quebec). whether it is directly or indirectly that is still the reality

[Smallc]

There's a difference between being in legitimate trouble and needing transfer payments and abusing said transfer payments by creating excess programs which need those transfer payments.

That's not how the system works. The system doesn't care what Quebec spends the money on, only that it's fiscal capacity is below the average as determined by the Equalization formula.

[Topaz]

I came across this article about the shortages of workers in the oil and gas field and that Canada is targetting the US oil workers. The article says that if you are a unemployed oil worker, you should head for Western Canada were salary is attractive,FREE healthcare, stability and bonuses and that the oil and gas sector will need up to 115,000 workers. I guess the only ones that really get FREE health care willl be the foreign workers and I hope Alberta healthcare system can deal with this deal and it will probably include their families. http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Canada-Targets-Unemployed-US-Oil-Workers.html

[Smallc]

Yes, I'm sure Alberta would do much better without enough workers.

[westguy]

cybercoma

I look at Equalization Payments from a more pricincipled approach than mathematical calculations. They were and are intended to equalize the access to government programs and benefits. I take offence at;

1. Quebec's never ending reliance on transfer payments from the ROC. Despite having many market benefits AND receiving $257b in transfer payments over 50 yrs, they still have a $250b provincial debt. this will never end under the present scheme.

2. They pass a law (Bill 101) that restricts the use of English in public. Can you imagine the reaction if some other province passed a law that similarly restricts the use of French?

3. They have more generous social programs than some of the provinces that contribute to Equalization payments ( $7 day/ daycare, $2500 tuition).

4. The PQ removed the canadian flag from their "National Assembly".

5. They threaten to leave canada if their demands are not met. the threat of separation has never gone away.

Contrary to your implications, i find the Quebecos culture delightful but not their politics ( adscam, charbonneau commission, shawinigate)

[cybercoma]

cybercoma

I look at Equalization Payments from a more pricincipled approach than mathematical calculations. They were and are intended to equalize the access to government programs and benefits. I take offence at;

1. Quebec's never ending reliance on transfer payments from the ROC. Despite having many market benefits AND receiving $257b in transfer payments over 50 yrs, they still have a $250b provincial debt. this will never end under the present scheme.

The province's debt has nothing to do with what they receive in transfer payments.

2. They pass a law (Bill 101) that restricts the use of English in public. Can you imagine the reaction if some other province passed a law that similarly restricts the use of French?

This has nothing to do with transfer payments. Moreover, a French person in any other province is forced to read signs in English. So what difference does it make?

3. They have more generous social programs than some of the provinces that contribute to Equalization payments ( $7 day/ daycare, $2500 tuition).

Their social programs have no bearing on their transfer payments either.

4. The PQ removed the canadian flag from their "National Assembly".

This too has nothing to do with transfer payments. They're part of Canadian Confederation, regardless of what flags they choose to fly on their legislature.

5. They threaten to leave canada if their demands are not met. the threat of separation has never gone away.

What demands? They don't demand equalization payments. The feds pay them out to every province that qualifies, including Ontario these days.

Contrary to your implications, i find the Quebecos culture delightful but not their politics ( adscam, charbonneau commission, shawinigate)

THe only implication I'm making is that you know nothing about transfer payments and you prove me right every time you post about them.

[Fletch 27]

cybercoma

I look at Equalization Payments from a more pricincipled approach than mathematical calculations. They were and are intended to equalize the access to government programs and benefits. I take offence at;

1. Quebec's never ending reliance on transfer payments from the ROC. Despite having many market benefits AND receiving $257b in transfer payments over 50 yrs, they still have a $250b provincial debt. this will never end under the present scheme.

2. They pass a law (Bill 101) that restricts the use of English in public. Can you imagine the reaction if some other province passed a law that similarly restricts the use of French?

3. They have more generous social programs than some of the provinces that contribute to Equalization payments ( $7 day/ daycare, $2500 tuition).

4. The PQ removed the canadian flag from their "National Assembly".

5. They threaten to leave canada if their demands are not met. the threat of separation has never gone away.

Contrary to your implications, i find the Quebecos culture delightful but not their politics ( adscam, charbonneau commission, shawinigate)

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Transfer payments are like unlimited social assistance checks to the left.... Once your gauranteed em...why bother changing... You are 100% correct

[punked]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Transfer payments are like unlimited social assistance checks to the left.... Once your gauranteed em...why bother changing... You are 100% correct

Just so you know people move from NS to Alberta to help Alberta grow. A healthy educated workforce is in Alberta's best interest to Alberta can grow. What is good for the country is good for Alberta so slow your roll.

[wyly]

Yes, I'm sure Alberta would do much better without enough workers.

my personal experience is non albertans outnumber alberta born resident in calgary...nothing scientific just my everyday contacts,...

[cybercoma]

Just so you know people move from NS to Alberta to help Alberta grow. A healthy educated workforce is in Alberta's best interest to Alberta can grow. What is good for the country is good for Alberta so slow your roll.

Let's not forget that their elderly parents that are still back home in Nova Scotia need healthcare and social assistance. That's ok though. The way conservatives on this forum talk, it's like once you move to Alberta, screw your family back home. The money you make is Alberta's money. The federal government shouldn't spend any of your tax dollars anywhere else but where you earn them.

[Fletch 27]

Let's not forget that their elderly parents that are still back home in Nova Scotia need healthcare and social assistance. That's ok though. The way conservatives on this forum talk, it's like once you move to Alberta, screw your family back home. The money you make is Alberta's money. The federal government shouldn't spend any of your tax dollars anywhere else but where you earn them.

Ahhhh see we in Calgary get taxed a second time for sending money back east???? Please, i would like to hear your thoughts on this process.... I may need to re-calculate my taxes???

[cybercoma]

Ahhhh see we in Calgary get taxed a second time for sending money back east???? Please, i would like to hear your thoughts on this process.... I may need to re-calculate my taxes???

It works like this.

Step 1: Federal Government Collects Taxes

Step 2: Federal Government Spends Taxes

Hope this helps.

[Fletch 27]

Must be along the lines of "Revenue generation"!!! LOLOLOLOLOLLllllll

[westguy]

People move to Alberta cuz that's in THEIR best interests and NOT to help Alberta. It is ludicrous to say that they do it to help Alberta. As for Quebec, they have become financially dependent on equalization payments, as evidenced by the ongoing exorbitant amount they receive ( $257b in 50 yrs). Certianly, they are in a position to do better as a province rather than to exploit the generousiity of other provinces. They have become a culture of enitlement rather than grow their own economy.

[westguy]

pardon my poor spelling/typing

[punked]

People move to Alberta cuz that's in THEIR best interests and NOT to help Alberta. It is ludicrous to say that they do it to help Alberta. As for Quebec, they have become financially dependent on equalization payments, as evidenced by the ongoing exorbitant amount they receive ( $257b in 50 yrs). Certianly, they are in a position to do better as a province rather than to exploit the generousiity of other provinces. They have become a culture of enitlement rather than grow their own economy.

Again it would cost Alberta a whole hell of a lot more to screen and bring in the educated Immigrants as opposed to making sure the people (those out east) who are going to fill jobs and grow the province have the same standards that those in Alberta do. You want to cut off our noise to spite your face. There is a reason even the great thinkers of Alberta signed onto a Constitution that made Equalization the law of the land. Its because they weren't short sighted, they knew it is best for them to have people from Canada to move to their province to make it grow faster and the butt load of money it would cost not to mention the social problems.

Come on you think people just learn to read and write. You think the NSCC which had its entire pipefitting class 2 years ago signed up to move to Alberta and work the oil sands just has that money? Take 2 seconds stop thinking of yourself and think rationally. Whats the point of heiring people that can't do the work because the never got the education? Or heiring someone who is worse at the job because of long term never treated health problems? Alberta is not an island and what you want is the benefit of being in a Federation with out the cost. Take take take. That is what you want.