Edmonton, AB, November 17, 2020 – Today, in the wake of a new Statistics Canada update showing Albertans made a net contribution to other provinces of $17.8 billion in 2019 alone, Fairness Alberta released a poll showing that 56% of Ontarians believe it is “very” or “moderately unfair” that since 2000, $325 billion of Albertans’ federal taxes was spent in other provinces. Fairness Alberta launched a billboard and online campaign in Ottawa and Toronto this fall highlighting that Ontarians can’t keep federal finances afloat on their own, and released a poll showing nationwide recognition that Canada needs Alberta’s economy.
“With COVID devastating not only our economy but the federal balance sheet, it is encouraging to see that Canadians recognize how much we have relied on Alberta’s productivity, and believe the federal government hasn’t treated Albertans fairly,” said Fairness Alberta Executive Director Dr. Bill Bewick. “The federal government needs to abandon punitive measures like the proposed Clean Fuel Standard and instead look short term at helping Alberta kick-start the economy, and longer term at ways to ensure fairness for Alberta.”
The poll, from a weighted survey of 1,011 Canadians conducted by the Toronto firm One Persuasion Inc. at the end of September (MoE +/-3.1%), showed 50% or more across all regions and demographics agree that the difference between the amount taxed by the federal government and the amount spent back in Alberta is unfair (except in the Atlantic provinces where there was 40% agreement). Ontario led outside western Canada with 56% recognition; Quebecers were evenly split.
Fairness Alberta, a grassroots, non-partisan, and non-separatist association of concerned citizens, aims to increase awareness across the country of Albertans’ major contributions to Canada, while also providing clear, factual information about how the prosperity of both Canada and Alberta is undermined by federal policies like the looming CFS and other elements of the Green Plan.
“There’s a tremendous amount at stake as we navigate our way through the current jobs and fiscal crisis, including how we get Canadians working again and eventually pay this debt off,” said Dr. Bewick. “We want decision-makers to understand that most Canadians recognize how critical Alberta’s economy is to their communities and the federal budget, and they want to see that supported, not undermined.”
Fairness Alberta launched billboards in downtown Toronto September 21st and Ottawa a week later. Our previous releases, media coverage, and presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance can be found in the NEWS section of our website. For more information on Fairness Alberta, its mandate, and future plans, please visit our website at www.fairnessalberta.ca.
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Bill Bewick, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Fairness Alberta
Cell: (780) 996-6019
Email: bill.bewick@
Background information
Billboard Calculations: StatsCan Table: 36-10-0450-01 (formerly CANSIM 384-0047) shows that from 2007-2018 Albertans paid $240 billion more in federal taxes than the federal government spent back in Alberta (This table was just updated for 2019 showing an additional $17.8b transferred from Alberta that year). For Ontario the positive contribution was $98 billion. The rest of Canada (including a $55 billion net positive contribution from BC) had a net negative balance of $378 billion from 2007-2018.
For more data see: https://www.fairnessalberta.
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