Alberta
Alberta First needs 270,000 Albertans to sign petition, initiate referendum on Pension Plan
New release from Alberta First
The cost of running the CPP has increased a thousandfold since 2000. In 2000, costs were 4 million dollars; currently, they amount to 4.4 billion dollars.
Every Albertan can play a part in ensuring prosperity for generations to come.The Alberta First Pension Plan team strongly believes that the Alberta Pension Plan is a sensible choice. This belief comes after extensive discussions with thousands of Albertans and a deep understanding of the law and the facts. Our responsibility is to ensure that this understanding is shared with every voting Albertan. The Alberta Pension Plan has been a topic of debate, with supporters and opponents expressing their opinions on its potential impact. As a team of dedicated Albertans, the Alberta First Pension Plan team, guided by numerous esteemed professionals across the province, is committed to providing the facts to all Albertans. We support the idea that establishing an Alberta Pension Plan would give Alberta more control and independence over managing the investment funds and the ability to cut the high management fees Canadians pay to the CPP Investment Board. It has the potential to offer greater benefits and lower contributions than the existing Canada Pension Plan. An Alberta Pension Plan would address the unique needs of Albertans and contribute to economic development and financial security. To find reports, videos, and information on the Alberta Pension Plan, you can CLICK HERE. Many who oppose it are worried about the costs and complexities of setting up a separate pension plan for Alberta. They fear higher fees and lower benefits for Albertans than the Canada Pension Plan. Additionally, they are concerned about the economic impact and, most importantly, the Alberta government’s potential interference in fund management. It is essential to consider both perspectives when comparing the Alberta Pension Plan with the Canada Pension Plan. This allows Albertans to make an informed decision. While there are valid concerns, citizens can address these by staying actively involved and acting as watchdogs over the provincial government. Here are the top three concerns regarding moving to an Alberta Pension Plan: “Higher costs to manage an Alberta Penson Plan” Alberta is home to some of the most competent individuals in the financial industry. To ensure cost-effective management, Alberta could consider adopting several models from around the world. The cost of running the CPP has increased a thousandfold since 2000. In 2000, costs were 4 million dollars; currently, they amount to 4.4 billion dollars. “My benefits will be negatively affected.” As per the CPP Act, Section 3 (1), residents of Alberta must receive, at minimum, the same benefit they received under the CPP for a province to withdraw and create their own. “The Alberta Government will mismanage the fund.” The fear of the government mismanaging money is a valid concern. As Albertans, we must ensure that the Alberta Pension Plan is managed independently, with the sole mandate of maximizing profit and mitigating risk to the fund. We must be vocal and involved in the decision-making process to shape the future of our pension system. What do we need to do?Our first step is to initiate a referendum. The Alberta Government will only proceed with the referendum if there is significant support from Albertans.
This will mark an outstanding achievement, demonstrating Albertans’ determination to secure a prosperous future for all generations.
OUR PENSION! OUR CHOICE! |
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From LifeSiteNews
Alberta Health Services has been accused of attempting to vaccinate a child in school against his parent’s wishes.
On November 6, Alberta Health Services staffers visited Edmonton Hardisty School where they reportedly attempted to vaccinate a grade 6 student despite his parents signing a form stating that they did not wish for him to receive the vaccines.
“It is clear they do not prioritize parental rights, and in not doing so, they traumatize students,” the boy’s mother Kerri Findling told the Counter Signal.
During the school visit, AHS planned to vaccinate sixth graders with the HPV and hepatitis B vaccines. Notably, both HPV and hepatitis B are vaccines given to prevent diseases normally transmitted sexually.
Among the chief concerns about the HPV vaccine has been the high number of adverse reactions reported after taking it, including a case where a 16 year-old Australian girl was made infertile due to the vaccine.
Additionally, in 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received reports of 28 deaths associated with the HPV vaccine. Among the 6,723 adverse reactions reported that year, 142 were deemed life-threatening and 1,061 were considered serious.
Children whose parents had written “refused” on their forms were supposed to return to the classroom when the rest of the class was called into the vaccination area.
However, in this case, Findling alleged that AHS staffers told her son to proceed to the vaccination area, despite seeing that she had written “refused” on his form.
When the boy asked if he could return to the classroom, as he was certain his parents did not intend for him to receive the shots, the staff reportedly said “no.” However, he chose to return to the classroom anyway.
Shortly after, he was called into the office and taken back to the vaccination area. Findling said that her son then left the school building and braved the sub-zero temperatures to call his parents.
Following his parents’ arrival at the school, AHS claimed the incident was a misunderstanding due to a “new hire,” attesting that the mistake would have been caught before their son was vaccinated.
“If a student leaves the vaccination center without receiving the vaccine, it should be up to the parents to get the vaccine at a different time, if they so desire, not the school to enforce vaccination on behalf of AHS,” Findling declared.
Findling’s story comes just a few months after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith promised a new Bill of Rights affirming “God-given” parental authority over children.
A draft version of a forthcoming Alberta Bill of Rights provided to LifeSiteNews includes a provision beefing up parental rights, declaring the “freedom of parents to make informed decisions concerning the health, education, welfare and upbringing of their children.”
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
According to the recent mid-year update tabled Thursday, the Smith government projects a $4.6 billion surplus in 2024/25, up from the $2.9 billion surplus projected just a few months ago. Despite the good news, Premier Smith must reduce spending to avoid budget deficits.
The fiscal update projects resource revenue of $20.3 billion in 2024/25. Today’s relatively high—but very volatile—resource revenue (including oil and gas royalties) is helping finance today’s spending and maintain a balanced budget. But it will not last forever.
For perspective, in just the last decade the Alberta government’s annual resource revenue has been as low as $2.8 billion (2015/16) and as high as $25.2 billion (2022/23).
And while the resource revenue rollercoaster is currently in Alberta’s favor, Finance Minister Nate Horner acknowledges that “risks are on the rise” as oil prices have dropped considerably and forecasters are projecting downward pressure on prices—all of which impacts resource revenue.
In fact, the government’s own estimates show a $1 change in oil prices results in an estimated $630 million revenue swing. So while the Smith government plans to maintain a surplus in 2024/25, a small change in oil prices could quickly plunge Alberta back into deficit. Premier Smith has warned that her government may fall into a budget deficit this fiscal year.
This should come as no surprise. Alberta’s been on the resource revenue rollercoaster for decades. Successive governments have increased spending during the good times of high resource revenue, but failed to rein in spending when resource revenues fell.
Previous research has shown that, in Alberta, a $1 increase in resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year (on a per-person, inflation-adjusted basis). However, a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. This pattern has led to historically high levels of government spending—and budget deficits—even in more recent years.
Consider this: If this fiscal year the Smith government received an average level of resource revenue (based on levels over the last 10 years), it would receive approximately $13,000 per Albertan. Yet the government plans to spend nearly $15,000 per Albertan this fiscal year (after adjusting for inflation). That’s a huge gap of roughly $2,000—and it means the government is continuing to take big risks with the provincial budget.
Of course, if the government falls back into deficit there are implications for everyday Albertans.
When the government runs a deficit, it accumulates debt, which Albertans must pay to service. In 2024/25, the government’s debt interest payments will cost each Albertan nearly $650. That’s largely because, despite running surpluses over the last few years, Albertans are still paying for debt accumulated during the most recent string of deficits from 2008/09 to 2020/21 (excluding 2014/15), which only ended when the government enjoyed an unexpected windfall in resource revenue in 2021/22.
According to Thursday’s mid-year fiscal update, Alberta’s finances continue to be at risk. To avoid deficits, the Smith government should meaningfully reduce spending so that it’s aligned with more reliable, stable levels of revenue.
Author:
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