In 2005, came Ralph Klein, the Santa Clause of Alberta. I recall him shoveling out those massive oil-fueled budget surplus funds as Prosperity Bonus, also known as Ralph bucks. I wish, I were living in Alberta at the time, even temporarily and not in Beautiful British Columbia; Since then, the days of Ralph bucks have dried out and are being replaced by austerity budget cuts, elimination of social programs, reduction in the salary of the Civil Servants and much more, whereas, the Norway’s heritage fund established in 1990, grown within fourteen years, is now worth $1 trillion dollars.

By Suresh Kurl

In 1976, there was a premier in Alberta. His name was Peter Lougheed. Compared to the premiers, who followed him, he was by far, a far sighted individual. Out of the provincial oil-fueled budget surplus, he was the one, who thought of establishing ‘The Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.’ His objectives were to save for the future of Alberta, to strengthen and diversify the economy of the province and to improve the quality of life of the Albertans. Amazing Mumford! By December 31, 2017, this fund grew to $17.5 billion.

Then, in 2005, came Ralph Klein, the Santa Clause. I recall him shoveling out those massive oil-fueled budget surplus funds as Prosperity Bonus, also known as Ralph bucks. I wish, I were living in Alberta at the time, even temporarily and not in the Beautiful British Columbia;

Since then, the days of Ralph bucks have dried out and are being replaced by austerity budget cuts, elimination of social programs, reduction in the salary of the Civil Servants and much more, whereas, the Norway’s heritage fund established in 1990, grown within fourteen years, is now worth $1 trillion dollars.

I hear that in order to compensate Alberta’s fiscal short fall, the present Provincial Government is planning to reduce the salary of the Civil Servants by or up to 7%. I have been a civil servant for more than three decades, in addition to serving as an Assistant Professor at the UBC.  I know 7% reduction will hurt. Besides, Civil Servants, who help the government deliver their services to the public, who elect the government will suffer as well.

My objective behind this essay is to share my thoughts to get Alberta out of the economic hardships, which are not only created by reckless ‘oil-fuelled income squandering, but also by the ultra-restrictive inter-provincial policies, restrictive of Alberta seeking less expensive and efficient shipping resources and certain conflicting political and economic outlooks, and most certainly imbalance views on climate change putting barriers on the instalment of pipelines and free flow of oil.

The latest news of Encana, the company, which is as old as Canada itself, is moving south to the USA. This sure feels like a harsh blow to the national and provincial economy, but also a blow to our national pride. At least this is how I feel.

I love Canada. I chose this country over India, where I was born and raised, the United Kingdom, where I completed the final year of my education, and the United States, where I taught at their universities for a couple of years,  but ultimately chose Canada to make it my permanent home in 1970. When Canada hurts, Canadians feel hurt.

I know for sure that Alberta, leaving the Federal Territories out, is the only province that does not charge Sales Tax from their residents. Why is that so? Are Albertans more handsome and good looking than the rest of us, or intellectually brighter than all of us, or they are spiritually more enlightened than the rest of us, or they are somewhat challenged than the rest of the residents of this nation that the government feels morally obliged to compensate them? If neither of the above is true, then I say equalise them with the rest of the Canadians in their fiscal obligations to their province, especially when their own province is going through fiscal hardships, which will not only have an impact on the Civil Servants but all of the Albertans. I always consider the country as a bigger family, just as one of the Indian (South Asian) scriptures considers the entire universe as a family:  Vasudhaiva Kutukbakam.

May I suggest that instead of cutting Civil Servants salary by 7%, or any percent for that matter, impose 7% Provincial Sales Tax on every resident of the province. I guarantee that by the end of an election term your Government will be climbing its own Mount Everest of pennies. In addition, this equalisation program will reduce some of the contempt the public sometimes foster and express towards the Civil Servants.

Suresh Kurl is a former university professor, a retired registrar of the B.C. Benefits Appeal Board, a former member of the National Parole Board, a member of the provincial committee on diversity and policing, and a public speaker.