AB: Stop promising to ruin our income tax system

Normally in elections, party leaders fight like cats and dogs over public policy issues. However, what is clear at this point of the 2012 Alberta election, is that all of the party leaders agree on one thing; if elected, they will all work to slowly ruin Alberta’s income tax system. Read more »

Calgary business leaders should forget the GST and think GO

This week a group of prominent Calgary business leaders gathered at the Chamber of Commerce to pitch their idea on holding a plebiscite to hike Calgary’s GST by one-point to 6 per cent. The additional tax, which would generate approximately $300 million per year, would be used to build new recreation and cultural facilities. Read more »

AB: Revitalization Levy sleight of hand

“Lose weight while you sleep.” “Congratulations UK Lottery Winner!” “Enlarge your…” well, you get the picture. Every day e-mail inboxes are bombarded with outrageous claims from spammers around the world looking to bilk Canadians out of their life savings. However, closer to home it’s too often governments working hand-in-hand with legitimate businesses to pilfer money from the public ... Read more »

AB: Breathing life into our Moribund Democracy

Our democratic institutions have lost their lustre. Dreadfully low voter turnout, a disengaged public and an unhealthy apathy are now considered the norm. Albertans need to take back our democracy from our politicians and demand access to the legislatively protected, democratic tools necessary to stay engaged, informed and effective. Moreover, we need to feel relevant as participants, rather than mere spectators. Read more »

AB: Boycott the Bonds

In September 2009, the Alberta government started to do something it hasn’t done in many, many years – borrow money. Over the past few months the money has been borrowed through public bond offerings. However, starting in February the government will attempt to get Albertans to embrace the return to debt, by selling them exclusive, Alberta-only, savings bonds. Savvy taxpayers should save themselves the long-term headache and boycott the bonds. Read more »

AB: Paying Their Debt to Society

Cons should pay for their jail time if they can afford it What do ponzi-scheming Bernie Madoff and money-laundering Toronto lawyer Simon Rosenfeld have in common? They both have amassed boat-loads of money, but still rely on taxpayers to feed, clothe and shelter them while in jail. South of the border, one politician is looking to change this. Read more »

Alberta: revenue or spending problem?

Stop the spending Bookended by two charts – one showing the recent drop in natural gas prices and the other provincial revenues from natural gas – Finance Minister Iris Evans delivered the bad news to Albertans: the province’s debt is now pegged at $6.9 billion. Read more »

An Expo-nential Waste of Money

If Edmonton and Calgary are to play in the big leagues along such "world-class" cities as Zaragoza, Spain and Yeosu, South Korea, then taxpayers have to be prepared to buck-up! At least that's the view of proponents seeking to have one of Alberta's two great cities host the 2017 Expo. Since the fall of 2007, the City of Edmonton has been pursuing a bid for the 2017 World Fair (Expo). With only a couple of days to go before cities had to declare their intention to bid, the City of Calgary (who lost the 2005 Expo bid) announced its intention to bid on the same. Read more »

Alberta: It's the dollar, stupid

For Albertans, a strong Canadian dollar is a double-edged sword. On one hand, Albertans can vacation longer in Florida, gamble more in Las Vegas or get a steamin’ deal on a car just across the US border. On the other hand, a high dollar means fewer bucks in the provincial treasury, placing pressure on an already high deficit. And, the larger the deficit, the more likely the province will implement spending cuts or tax hikes. Read more »

Alberta: Surprised by the deficit? You shouldn't be

Shocking, isn’t it? The Alberta government – the richest government in all the land – is running a deficit.No, not really. Anyone who has looked through the Alberta government’s books for any period of time could see this one coming. Read more »