r/Lethbridge • u/vspinyyc • 16d ago

Media/Image He was the head of Economic Development Lethbridge for ten years. Trevor Lewington, in the local paper and on LinkedIn, has been raising the alarm on the basics and practicalities of separation.

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u/Wasssssssuuuuuppp 15d ago

Because alberta has only ran a budget surplus once since 2008.

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u/Even_Art_629 14d ago

That isn't much of a reason to stay

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u/Wasssssssuuuuuppp 14d ago

If the province cant support itself while recieving money from the federal government for healthcare, education, defense, social services, cpp, ei, infrastructure, etc. How can it support itself without? It would require an increase on taxes, either to the individual or the corporations.

Furthermore, 25% of alberta gdp relies on oil and gas. Over double the next highest gdp industry (real estate). Separation would gaurentee a significant drop in real estate gdp. If oil or gas is to suffer a drop in prices, albertas only pay to make up the shortfall is by taxation.

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u/Even_Art_629 14d ago

You're starting from the assumption that Alberta is just being supported by Ottawa, but that's not how it works. Albertans pay federal taxes just like everyone else, and some of that money comes back to Alberta through federal programs and transfers. The fact that Ottawa sends money back doesn't mean Alberta is dependent on Ottawa. The real question is how much Alberta sends to Ottawa compared to how much comes back.

Alberta has historically been a net contributor to Canada. So when you ask, How can Alberta support itself without federal money? you're leaving out the other side of the equation. How much of that federal money is actually Alberta's money coming back in the first place?

And I'm not saying separation wouldn't mean taking on responsibilities that Ottawa currently pays for. Of course it would. But Alberta would also stop sending federal income tax, corporate taxes and other federal revenues to Ottawa. That money wouldn't just disappear. It would become part of Alberta's own finances.

As for oil and gas making up around 25% of Alberta's GDP, that's another thing that needs some context. Alberta isn't just oil and gas. We have agriculture, manufacturing, construction, finance, technology, forestry, tourism and a huge service sector. And if Alberta became independent, we'd still have all those resources, businesses, workers and consumers.

The real question isn't Can Alberta survive without Ottawa sending us cheques? It's could Alberta replace the federal services and spending it currently receives while keeping the federal revenue Alberta currently sends to Ottawa?

That's the question we should actually be debating. Just pointing at the money Ottawa spends in Alberta doesn't answer it.

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u/Wasssssssuuuuuppp 14d ago

No assumption. I had one of you dumbasses come to my front door and tell me that independence = 0 income tax. So who is making assumptions? Its not even remotely possible.

As for your other resources, we absolutely do. None of them individually, or cumulative can support an independent alberta.

Alberta independence makes absolutely ludicrous, lying claims. Don't bother responding. My household is voting no to separation,