Alberta
Premier Kenney outraged by lack of help from Ottawa
From the Province of Alberta
Federal transfers: Statement from Premier Kenney
Premier Jason Kenney issued the following statement on the estimates for major federal transfer payments released today:
“Alberta has contributed more than $600 billion to the rest of Canada through transfers since 1967. In the last 10 years alone, Alberta has contributed more than $200 billion, more than $20 billion per year.
“And yet, in the last five years, Alberta has experienced a period of prolonged economic stagnation and decline, made worse by hostile policies from the federal government like the recently announced 467 per cent carbon tax hike, the ‘No More Pipelines Bill C-69 and the Alberta Tanker Ban Bill C-48. In fact, since the election of the federal liberal government in Ottawa, Canada has lost out on almost $200 billion of energy investment, the lion’s share of which would be in Alberta.
“To put that in perspective, Alberta used to generate about $10 billion in revenues from our energy industry. Over the past five years, that number has been closer to $5 billion. After the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent economic recession and the historic collapse in energy prices, that number for this year is estimated to be just over $1 billion.
“This is why Alberta is so profoundly disappointed by the letter we received from Minister Chrystia Freeland, the federal finance minister, outlining the transfers that Alberta will receive this year. Alberta will see an increase of only $217 million from the federal government despite the unprecedented economic challenges that Alberta faces, including a reduction of almost 25 per cent of provincial revenues.
“Notably absent is Alberta’s request for fiscal fairness through a retroactive ‘equalization rebate’ through the fiscal stabilization program. At the recent Council of the Federation meeting, the premiers of Canada’s provinces unanimously supported Alberta’s request to fix this broken system, which sees Alberta support Canada through tough times, only to have Ottawa turn its back on Alberta when we need support.
“It is more clear than ever that our message, simply asking for a fair share of the money that our province has generated and sent to Ottawa, is being ignored. That’s why Alberta will be holding a referendum to scrap equalization from the Constitution in October 2021.
“Albertans demand a fair deal from Ottawa, and we will not give up that fight.”
Alberta
Fortis et Liber: Alberta’s Future in the Canadian Federation
From the C2C Journal
By Barry Cooper, professor of political science, University of Calgary
Canada’s western lands, wrote one prominent academic, became provinces “in the Roman sense” – acquired possessions that, once vanquished, were there to be exploited. Laurentian Canada regarded the hinterlands as existing primarily to serve the interests of the heartland. And the current holders of office in Ottawa often behave as if the Constitution’s federal-provincial distribution of powers is at best advisory, if it needs to be acknowledged at all. Reviewing this history, Barry Cooper places Alberta’s widely criticized Sovereignty Act in the context of the Prairie provinces’ long struggle for due constitutional recognition and the political equality of their citizens. Canada is a federation, notes Cooper. Provinces do have rights. Constitutions do mean something. And when they are no longer working, they can be changed.
Alberta
30 million contraband cigarettes valued at $25 million dollars seized in Alberta
New release from Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)
Record setting contraband tobacco seizures result from AGLC investigations
Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) recently concluded several investigations which netted two of the largest contraband tobacco seizures in Alberta history. The combined total of the contraband tobacco seized was 154,800 cartons of contraband cigarettes (30.7 million individual cigarettes). These seizures are a result of the work conducted by AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit with the assistance of provincial law enforcement agencies.
- In a January 2024 investigation, approximately 43,500 cartons (8.7 million individual cigarettes) were seized. This equates to $7 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $2.4 million. This included the seizure of 15,000 grams of contraband shisha.
- In April of 2024, 60 wrapped pallets were seized from a warehouse setting netting a total of 111,300 cartons of contraband cigarettes (22 million individual cigarettes) which equates to over $18 million in retail value with a provincial tax avoidance of $6.6 million.
- Criminal Charges are pending in both cases.
“These are significant contraband tobacco investigations involving individuals that are part of organized networks whose proceeds defraud Albertans millions of dollars in tax revenue. AGLC will continue to work with our partners to investigate and disrupt the individuals and organizations involved in these illegal activities as part our commitment to a strong contraband tobacco enforcement program in Alberta.”
- Gary Peck, Vice President, Regulatory Services, AGLC
“Contraband tobacco hurts law abiding businesses that follow the rules, and it costs Albertans millions each year from lost tax revenue. Our government is committed to keeping illegal tobacco off the streets and ensuring that the sale of tobacco products comply with the law.”
- Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Over the last nine months, AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement unit has seized an estimated 35 million contraband cigarettes and 115,000 grams of contraband shisha from across the province. The total potential lost tax revenue is estimated to be more than $10.1 million.
Contraband tobacco:
- is any tobacco product that does not comply with federal and provincial laws related to importation, marking, manufacturing, stamping and payment of duties and taxes;
- comes from four main sources: illegal manufacturers, counterfeits, tax-exempt diversions and resale of stolen legal tobacco; and
- can be recognized by the absence of a red (Alberta) or peach/light tan (Canada) stamp bearing the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” on packages of cigarettes and cigars or pouches of tobacco.
In addition to lost revenues that may otherwise benefit Albertans, illegally manufactured products also pose public health and safety risks as they lack regulatory controls and inspections oversight.
Albertans who suspect illegal tobacco production, packaging and/or trafficking are encouraged to contact AGLC’s Tobacco Enforcement Unit at 1-800-577-2522 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, AGLC enforces the Tobacco Tax Act and conducts criminal investigations related to the possession, distribution and trafficking of contraband tobacco products. In 2022-23, provincial revenue from tobacco taxes was approximately $522 million.
-
Brownstone Institute12 hours ago
Medical Elites’ Disgrace Over Ivermectin
-
National10 hours ago
Despite claims of 215 ‘unmarked graves,’ no bodies have been found at Canadian residential school
-
Brownstone Institute5 hours ago
The WHO’s Proposed Pandemic Agreements Worsen Public Health
-
COVID-192 hours ago
Trudeau’s public health agency recommends another experimental COVID booster
-
COVID-196 hours ago
The New York Times Admits Injuries from COVID-19 Shots
-
Health3 hours ago
THE WPATH TAPES: Behind-The-Scenes Recordings Reveal What Top Gender Doctors Really Think About Sex Change Procedures
-
Automotive17 hours ago
Electric vehicle mandates mean misery all around
-
illegal immigration4 hours ago
Panama’s Incoming President Wants To Shut Down His Country’s Most Treacherous Route For Migrants — But Will It Work?