Trudeau dismisses Kenney’s equalization vote
Posted Oct 21, 2021 7:44 pm.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is dismissing the idea of ending equalization in Canada.
After Albertans voted on the issue earlier this week in a provincial referendum, Trudeau responded, saying it would take more than one province’s vote to make changes to the constitution.
“To eliminate equalization, which is what’s proposed in Jason Kenny’s referendum, is something that cannot be done by the federal government,” Trudeau explained.
“It needs to be done by the federal government working with seven provinces or territories representing over 50 per cent of the Canadian population.”
PM Justin Trudeau was asked about Alberta’s equalization referendum and if his government would enter into negotiations with the province. pic.twitter.com/q4wEvGFxez
— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack660) October 21, 2021
Trudeau says this is something that Kenney should have known, and reiterated that it is something that would require significant consensus from across Canada.
“I’m sure these are things that Mr. Kenney is going to want to bring up at the Council of Federation meetings in the coming weeks.”
Following the municipal election in Calgary, about 58 per cent of Calgarians voted in favour of removing equalization from the constitution.
The final results of the referendum are expected to be released on Oct. 26.
