In 25 Words Or Less - Why Saskatchewan Is Taking Ottawa To Court Over Equalization
Don't let anyone tell you that Saskatchewan's dispute with the Conservative Government in Ottawa is complicated. It is not. Stephen Harper's utter contempt for the New Democratic government of Saskatchewan is such that he has broken his election promises and has told Saskatchewan to 'sue me'! Okay - we will!
-When the Federal Government calculates the equalization amount that Nova Scotia is entitled to, oil and gas royalties are REMOVED as revenue from the calculation.
-When the Federal Government calculates the equalization amount that Newfoundland & Labrador is entitled to, oil and gas royalties are REMOVED as revenue from the calculation.
-When the Federal Government calculates the equalization amount that Saskatchewan is entitled to, oil and gas royalties are ADDED as revenue to the calculation.
Premier Calvert believes that the Province of Saskatchewan deserves the same consideration. Here is what Stephen Harper said before he broke his election promises:
“The Conservative Party of Canada will alter the equalization program to remove all non-renewable resources from the formula, as well as move the program to a ten-province standard.”
Conservative Party Platform 2004 ('Demanding Better')
“A Conservative government will also revisit the equalization formula. We will move towards a ten-province standard that excludes non-renewable resource revenues from the equalization formula, and do so in a manner that ensures no provinces receiving equalization will receive less money during the transition to the new formula than the current formula provides.”
Conservative Party Platform 2006 ('Standing Up For Canada')
Bloomberg
-When the Federal Government calculates the equalization amount that Nova Scotia is entitled to, oil and gas royalties are REMOVED as revenue from the calculation.
-When the Federal Government calculates the equalization amount that Newfoundland & Labrador is entitled to, oil and gas royalties are REMOVED as revenue from the calculation.
-When the Federal Government calculates the equalization amount that Saskatchewan is entitled to, oil and gas royalties are ADDED as revenue to the calculation.
Premier Calvert believes that the Province of Saskatchewan deserves the same consideration. Here is what Stephen Harper said before he broke his election promises:
“The Conservative Party of Canada will alter the equalization program to remove all non-renewable resources from the formula, as well as move the program to a ten-province standard.”
Conservative Party Platform 2004 ('Demanding Better')
“A Conservative government will also revisit the equalization formula. We will move towards a ten-province standard that excludes non-renewable resource revenues from the equalization formula, and do so in a manner that ensures no provinces receiving equalization will receive less money during the transition to the new formula than the current formula provides.”
Conservative Party Platform 2006 ('Standing Up For Canada')
Bloomberg
