What Now?

Norman Wiebe

Published

5 years ago

5 minute read

Results of the 2019 federal election are in, with the Liberal party winning the most seats.

However you wish to look at it though, Canadians are the biggest losers. This PM should have been investigated before the election for obstruction of justice and awaiting a trial and likely a conviction.

Now the RCMP won’t be allowed to take any further steps, the Admiral Norman and SNC Lavalin scandals will vanish. We will be right back to the same old game of corruption and lies all for the sake of power.

Albertans in particular who have been suffering from enhanced economic warfare waged upon us by Ottawa for the past cycle understand all too well that the pain will only intensify now. Trudeau has offered us up as the sacrifice, and will continue his massive deficit spending ways. The equalization formula was locked in for five years, so four more to go my friends.

Eastern jurisdictions that were promised all manner of free stuff, will eagerly await the further plunder of Albertans and take those dollars with an attitude of entitlement and arrogance. Trudeau was actively campaigning against Albertans interests in his home province, so we know where we stand already.

I believe that there is no possibility to fix the system of government in Canada, so that it could become what it was supposed to be. Pierre Trudeau started Canada down this path, and his son picked up the baton and ran with it.

Political parties also sold out for power. All parties use the equalization formula to curry favor in Quebec and the maritime provinces. They understand that the prosperity of Albertans is the price they must pay to increase odds of winning or staying in power. Equalization sounds like a nice concept, but it has been corrupted into a tool for plunder and used against those with little political power, meaning us.

Now we must change our focus and shed the fears of what if. We need to stand up and create a new future, one of prosperity and freedom. Self determination is not something we ask the government to give us, it’s something we have within us, and all we need to do is stand up for ourselves and force the government to adhere to our will.

We need to create our own constitution that guarantees our rights as individuals, and that treats us all as equals. No more divisive identity politics, only Albertans working together to make things right.

Our new constitution must ensure that the government remains accountable and responsible to the people. There must be checks and balances to government power so that we don’t see a repetition of what’s happening to Canada.

One of the best things about creating something new is that we don’t have to bargain with anyone else about what our future will look like. We can decide what it will be, and make it happen. We have the right people, strong agriculture and resource sectors; but perhaps more importantly though, we have a culture of getting the job done.

There are those who fear something new and those who have been hesitant to speak up in support of Independence, but I think after tonight many of these reluctant ones will join us in the struggle to free Alberta.

This is a pivotal moment, and I think will make for exciting reading someday in history books. One day people will read about how when Alberta became a nation, and how Albertans stood up for their freedom.

I say it’s long overdue, but now is the time to make our new nation. This won’t just happen on it’s own though, we must take responsibility and make it happen.

Responsibility is the price for Freedom. Freedom will give us Opportunity and that will drive a period of Prosperity like we’ve never seen before. We do this not only for our future prosperity, but for our children and grandchildren.

Click here to see Norman Wiehe’s next post “The Day After”

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Norman Wiebe

Norm Wiebe is a local Financial Advisor and political policy enthusiast. He and his wife Lera, live in Red Deer with their two children. Norm uses facebook to promote ideas, so look for him there. https://www.facebook.com/norman.wiebe

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Alberta

Alberta’s fiscal update projects budget surplus, but fiscal fortunes could quickly turn

Published on November 21, 2024

Todayville

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:

Tegan Hill

Alberta

Premier Smith says Auto Insurance reforms may still result in a publicly owned system

Published on November 21, 2024

Government of Alberta

Better, faster, more affordable auto insurance

Alberta’s government is introducing a new auto insurance system that will provide better and faster services to Albertans while reducing auto insurance premiums.

After hearing from more than 16,000 Albertans through an online survey about their priorities for auto insurance policies, Alberta’s government is introducing a new privately delivered, care-focused auto insurance system.

Right now, insurance in the province is not affordable or care focused. Despite high premiums, Albertans injured in collisions do not get the timely medical care and income support they need in a system that is complex to navigate. When fully implemented, Alberta’s new auto insurance system will deliver better and faster care for those involved in collisions, and Albertans will see cost savings up to $400 per year.

“Albertans have been clear they need an auto insurance system that provides better, faster care and is more affordable. When it’s implemented, our new privately delivered, care-centred insurance system will put the focus on Albertans’ recovery, providing more effective support and will deliver lower rates.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

“High auto insurance rates put strain on Albertans. By shifting to a system that offers improved benefits and support, we are providing better and faster care to Albertans, with lower costs.”

Nate Horner, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance

Albertans who suffer injuries due to a collision currently wait months for a simple claim to be resolved and can wait years for claims related to more serious and life-changing injuries to addressed. Additionally, the medical and financial benefits they receive often expire before they’re fully recovered.

Under the new system, Albertans who suffer catastrophic injuries will receive treatment and care for the rest of their lives. Those who sustain serious injuries will receive treatment until they are fully recovered. These changes mirror and build upon the Saskatchewan insurance model, where at-fault drivers can be sued for pain and suffering damages if they are convicted of a criminal offence, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, or conviction of certain offenses under the Traffic Safety Act.

Work on this new auto insurance system will require legislation in the spring of 2025. In order to reconfigure auto insurance policies for 3.4 million Albertans, auto insurance companies need time to create and implement the new system. Alberta’s government expects the new system to be fully implemented by January 2027.

In the interim, starting in January 2025, the good driver rate cap will be adjusted to a 7.5% increase due to high legal costs, increasing vehicle damage repair costs and natural disaster costs. This protects good drivers from significant rate increases while ensuring that auto insurance providers remain financially viable in Alberta.

Albertans have been clear that they still want premiums to be based on risk. Bad drivers will continue to pay higher premiums than good drivers.

By providing significantly enhanced medical, rehabilitation and income support benefits, this system supports Albertans injured in collisions while reducing the impact of litigation costs on the amount that Albertans pay for their insurance.

“Keeping more money in Albertans’ pockets is one of the best ways to address the rising cost of living. This shift to a care-first automobile insurance system will do just that by helping lower premiums for people across the province.”

Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities

Quick facts

Alberta’s government commissioned two auto insurance reports, which showed that legal fees and litigation costs tied to the province’s current system significantly increase premiums.
A 2023 report by MNP shows