Edmonton – POLITICS – “With only 12 per cent of the nation’s population, Alberta attracts a quarter of all Canada’s capital investment and is responsible for more than a fifth of all Canadian goods exported internationally. Alberta is a major fiscal contributor to the country, providing the federal government in excess of $20 billion a year more in revenue than federal spending in the province,” according to a statement issued by the Alberta Government on Sunday, October 27, 2019. “With a federal government that has actively campaigned against the province’s prosperity, it’s clear Alberta must increase its self-reliance as we regain our place as the economic driver of the country.”
Since the federal election, the Alberta government under the leadership of United Conservative Party Premier Jason Kenney, Alberta is taking a harder line.
“In the coming months, we will be focusing our efforts on bringing fiscal fairness back to Alberta. We will be looking at each and every federal fiscal transfer program and demanding that our concerns are addressed. We will use all the tools at our disposal to get a fair deal for Alberta.”
To support Alberta’s fight to secure market access for energy exports, Budget 2019 allocates $10 million per year towards the Canadian Energy Centre. The centre will focus on improving perceptions about the oil and gas industry. It will respond to misinformation, promote energy literacy and analyze energy industry data.
In addition, the Job Creation Tax Cut, Enhanced Capital Cost allowance and a number of red tape initiatives will improve competitiveness in the energy sector. Alberta will continue to fight to secure new pipelines.
