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UCP leadership hopeful targeting equalization

Aug 15, 2017 | 12:27 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — United Conservative Party hopeful Brian Jean releasing his latest campaign policy where he says he plans to “fix equalization and stand up for Alberta”.

Jean made the announcement Tuesday morning in Medicine Hat.

“We know from the study that we did that $22 to $28 billion dollars a year between 2007 and 2014 was going to Ottawa without any reciprocal transfers or payments here to the people of Alberta,” said Jean.

Jean said he plans to push the NDP government to negotiate a better deal with Ottawa on equalization.

The current equalization agreement expires next year and will be renegotiated in 2019.

Jean adds if he were to become UCP leader and then be elected premier in the next provincial election he’d put the issue of equalization to referendum.

Based on a Supreme Court ruling the referendum would force the federal government and the other provinces back to the table to negotiate. Jean says that would result in a better deal for Alberta.

“Right now we need their help. We need them to be helping the people of Alberta that are unemployed, the people lined up at food banks, it’s time and it’s beyond time,” he said.

Jean adds he would also send a constitutional reference question to the Supreme Court of Canada for a decision on the validity of including royalties from resources within the equalization formula.