Kenney promises vote on equalization in 2021 if no pipeline progress
Posted Mar 21, 2019 2:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY – The leader of Alberta’s United Conservatives is promising a referendum on equalization if there’s no major progress on market-opening pipelines.
Jason Kenney says if he becomes premier the matter would be put to voters on Oct. 18, 2021 — the same date as the next municipal elections in Alberta.
The federal equalization program is meant to even out fiscal disparities between so-called “have” and “have-not” provinces.
Despite its economic doldrums, Alberta remains a “have” province.
Kenney says Albertans can no longer tolerate other governments benefiting from Alberta resources while doing everything they can to block development.
RELATED: Kenney promises vote on equalization in 2021 if no pipeline progress
He is also vowing to take Ottawa to court if a contentious federal bill on resource project reviews becomes law and to block energy shipments to any province that block pipelines.
