432-01105 (Taxation)

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas, the current Government's refusal to work with Provinces to amend the equalization formula has contributed to a national unity crisis, whereas Alberta has historically made an oversized contribution to Canada's economic well being, and that the recent global market challenges affecting Alberta's oil and gas industry have been exacerbated by the actions of the current Government;

Whereas, the current equalization formula is not responsive to the fiscal and economic realities facing Alberta and other regions of the country that are resource dependant;

Whereas, the current formula fails to acknowledge the need for jurisdictions that are long term net recipients of equalization to undertake meaningful economic development and ensure that their actions do not restrict the economic success of other jurisdictions;

Whereas, the measures the Government announced in the 2020 Speech from the Throne are wholly insufficient to address the scope of the challenges faced by affected provinces.

Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the Government to take the following actions to address the situation:

1. That the Government immediately increase and backdate the Fiscal Stabilization Program; and

2. That the Government commit to working with provinces to address the current inequities that exist in the Equalization Formula.