By Chris Brown

Looking for fair treatment

Fair Deal Panel recommends referendum on equalization, Kenney says one is coming

Jun 17, 2020 | 4:31 PM

Premier Jason Kenney announced the Fair Deal Panel in November to learn how Albertans feel about the province’s place in confederation.

The report was released today, and a referendum on equalization is one of two key recommendations made.

The report also recommends the government press strenuously for the removal of the current constraints on the Fiscal Stabilization Program.

According to the report, the fiscal stabilization program prevents Albertans from receiving a $2.4 billion equalization rebate. The report says the referendum question is to be along the lines of: “Do you support the removal of Section 36, which deals with the principle of equalization, from the Constitution Act, 1982?”

While releasing the report, Kenney said a referendum will be held next year.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

16h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

Panel chair Oryssia Lennie said Albertans are frustrated and disappointed about the way the federal government and other parts of Canada treat Alberta.

“The Albertans we spoke to don’t want special treatment or status in Canada,” said Lennie. “Instead they just want to be treated fairly. Some 65 per cent of Albertans told us they did not feel Alberta is getting a fair deal.”

Kenney says the report reveals a people with great love for their province and their country, a people suffering through years of economic stagnation mainly due to government decisions.

“Especially the federal government policies that discriminate against our province and its largest industry even as they enjoy the wealth that Albertans create for Canada,” he said, adding the province’s economy is facing profound threats and Alberta-Canada relations are deteriorating.

“The panel’s recommendations summarize what can and must be done to end these threats, ease these tensions and obtain a fair deal for Alberta within the federation,” said Kenney.

In total there are 25 recommendations in the report, 13 of which are unilateral that the Government of Alberta is urged to take immediately.

Among them are creating an Alberta Pension Plan and withdrawing from the federal one, creating an Alberta Police Service to replace the RCMP and securing a seat at the table in international agreement and treaty negotiations between the federal government and international partners.

Ten recommendations require support and cooperation from other governments. These include removing trade barriers between provinces, unobstructed corridors to tide water and world markets, and asserting more control over immigration for the economic benefit of Alberta.

The panel participated in town halls and public hearings from December to February. Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes, a member of the panel, hosted a town hall in January in Medicine Hat.

Shortly after the report was made public, Barnes released a letter to the premier, thanking him for the chance to participate and offering some of what he heard from Albertans.

Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo hosted an MLA town hall in Brooks in February.

Early in 2020 the panel invited feedback from industry groups and experts and conducted surveys via email and telephone.