Premier Jason Kenney has released the next step of Alberta’s strategy to secure what the government calls a fair deal in the federation.
The Fair Deal Panel report recommends 25 ways to ensure Alberta has a stronger voice in Confederation, including fairer funding allocations from Ottawa, better representation for Alberta in the House of Commons, and exploration of an Alberta pension plan and Alberta police force.
More than 40,000 Albertans participated in the Fair Deal Panel engagement, providing input on ideas that could give the province a stronger role within Canada, increase control in areas of provincial jurisdiction and advance our province’s vital economic interests.
The panel’s report to government contains 25 separate recommendations that address the frustrations many Albertans shared with the panel.
“Albertans have told us what a fair deal looks like for our province – it consists of more autonomy, better representation and a renewed respect for all provinces and territories,” said Kenney in a statement.
“Our government agrees, and work on many of these areas is already underway. We are eager to take further action on the panel’s recommendations to ensure Albertans have a strong voice and a fair deal when we need it most.”
The recommendations include holding a referendum on equalization, asking a clear question along the lines of: “Do you support the removal of Section 36, which deals with the principle of equalization, from the Constitution Act, 1982?”
The government says it agrees to the proposal in principle, noting the referendum could be held in conjunction with the 2021 municipal elections.
On the topic of replacing the RCMP, the government says the Department of Justice and Solicitor General will begin a detailed study into the costs, benefits and structure of a potential provincial police service. The study is expected to be completed and released in 2021.
More to come …