Larry Samcoe News Today

Viewpoint: Breaking down the inequality of equalization Poll Yes My recent article on Alberta in Confederation has been criticized that my bias lacks an understanding of this controversial federal program – equalization. Alberta’s contribution was a misleading statement because it did not explain that federal revenues are from payments by Albertans and not from the government. Thus, this essay will delve into this program with references to four Alberta academics/economists – Robert Manse...

Barnes booted from UCP caucus Poll Do you agree with the UCP caucus, which elected to remove Cypress-MH MLA Drew Barnes on Thursday? Yes Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes has been removed from the United Conservative caucus after the disgruntled official had been repeatedly and vocally opposing Premier Jason Kenneys handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.--NEWS FILE PHOTO Local political observers say the UCP government is in trouble as the divisions in the party came to a head with the party’...

Letter: Logic behind equalization outrage does not follow Poll Provincial government In response to Mr. Larry Samcoe’s May 6 editorial, “Alberta in Confederation.” Mr. Samcoe repeats, and seems to believe, the old standby lie of the perpetually aggrieved among some conservatives when he comments on the source of federal government equalization payments, stating “…tax revenues from Alberta have been the primary contributor…” Do not many on the political right know that Alb...

Alberta in Confederation Still at work Retired It is quite evident that Canada’s Confederation is not working harmoniously. Ottawa is failing the regions outside 1867 Canada [Ontario and Quebec]. Such assessment warrants examination. A 2020 publication, Moment of Truth, includes numerous articles which have been compiled by Jack M. Mintz, Ted Morton and Tom Flanagan, the School of Public Policy, University of Calgary. They address particularly Alberta’s experience. Donald J. Savoie, l’Uni...

Viewpoint: How to build back better Poll Were you surprised the UCP government went back to stage one of its reopening plan on Tuesday? Yes Canada, like the rest of the world has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to better control its spread and to accelerate vaccinating the population have occupied our governments. Our next major undertaking is our country’s recovery. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland presented the government’s plan for recovery on Nov. 30. The fe...

Viewpoint: Sustainable long-term energy plan needed Poll Too strict The Keystone XL Pipeline is dead, probably forever. It is an unfortunate decision by President Biden, but he is applauded by supporters in the United States and in Canada. The completion of this project would have been a boost to Alberta. Jack Mintz, University of Calgary School of Public Policy, has written that about 15,000 direct and indirect jobs would have resulted in Canada, as well as additional jobs in the U.S.A. TC Ene...