Good find FarmRanger. I know this paper and had read it. I hope every follower of this thread also studies it closely; especially pages 62 and 63 where is it pointed out both in the text and tables that 65% of the net Alberta contributions is a result of the higher earnings in Alberta. Because of higher wages (NOT TAXES) Albertans pay more to the federal government than citizens of other provinces. I for one thank God we live in a country where you are allowed to make higher wages. So my question FarmRanger are you a socialist who thinks Alberta are making too much therefore paying too much in tax? Or do you think Albertans should not have to pay the same Federal tax rate as other Canadians? Because those are the only two ways of lowering the federal tax Albertans pay.
Oh, and the other 35% of net Alberta contributions are the result of less federal spending in Alberta. Of that, less than half of this is the result of equalization payments. A bigger difference is less federal purchases of goods and services. So tell me FarmRanger do you actually feel the feds should purchase more goods from Alberta even though because of the booming economy prices are likely higher? Do you really want more fed spending competing with Alberta business for good and services thereby driving up government costs.
You did a great job of confusing the situation by talking per capita contributions and pointing out the table on the final page but unless you read the entire paper, understand the equalization program, and realize that equalization is actually a very small part of the reason for the difference in contributions you will end up jumping to the wrong conclusion - like you did.
Oh, and the other 35% of net Alberta contributions are the result of less federal spending in Alberta. Of that, less than half of this is the result of equalization payments. A bigger difference is less federal purchases of goods and services. So tell me FarmRanger do you actually feel the feds should purchase more goods from Alberta even though because of the booming economy prices are likely higher? Do you really want more fed spending competing with Alberta business for good and services thereby driving up government costs.
You did a great job of confusing the situation by talking per capita contributions and pointing out the table on the final page but unless you read the entire paper, understand the equalization program, and realize that equalization is actually a very small part of the reason for the difference in contributions you will end up jumping to the wrong conclusion - like you did.
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