I found an interesting blog post on Werner Patel's site and wanted to direct you over to it. It's about an interview with Danielle Smith of the Wild Rose Alliance and I think there are some important points in there to think about, such as "When she said that Albertans send $16 billion more to Ottawa each year than they receive back and that the equalization payment system is a corrupt system, it was clear that she, a born and life-long Albertan, would not put up with anti-Alberta nonsense originating in Ottawa or Toronto – or anywhere for that matter."
For many years I have heard along the grapevine that Alberta sends a hell of a lot of money to Ottawa, which is used in the other provinces for all sorts of programs, but then I hear all lot of anti-Alberta sentiment and I often wondered what they would do if Alberta crashed and could not send that money.... I hear attacks across the country about how Alberta is a blood sucker, responsible for Canada being so 'low' on environmental lists (tar sands, etc), and not to mention being called a bunch of hicks and rednecks. It is frustrating because Canada is supposed to be this large loving carefree happy-go-lucky country, but underneath the facade is a lot of in-fighting and angst. I hear a lot about how Alberta is largely to blame for pollution, global warming, blah blah blah - but I wonder how those people would feel if they lost that $16 billion a year for their own provinces and programs?? Would they think it was a valid price to pay for being strong-armed into dumping one of our greatest resources? I doubt it.
I think it's the case that people simply resent those they are forced to rely on. Look at the US bashing that takes place around the world. No country has done more for and given more to the world than the USA, yet they are constantly berated and even hated by those in receipt of this largesse. If The USA ever gets fed up and takes their ball and goes home, everyone is in for a world of hurt.
ReplyDeleteSimilar in Canada. They have relied on funds from the haves for so long, they cannot function without the subsidies, but they scorn those that pay. 'Biting the hand that feeds you' comes to mind.
I've definitely seen the angst against America, not just in Canada but I lived in Germany and England in the early 90s (during Clinton times) and I was constantly asked if I was American. When I replied "No, I am Canadian", the majority of responses were "good, I hate Americans". It baffled me most of the time. I even wondered what the big difference actually was between Americans and Canadians lol. I think of us as being the same - same houses, same kind of living, just different accents and different flags lol.
ReplyDeleteI guess no one really cares where cars, electricity, and an endless list of inventions came from eh? I love my American friends and love to travel down there (though I haven't been able to for a long time, sadly.. hopefully soon!). I live an hour from the Montana border and don't see any difference between 'them' and 'us' when I visit. And within Canada, the anti-Alberta sentiment saddens me. If we go down,,,, watch out!!