By Western Standard

Published:October 26, 2021

-Western Standard

 

Albertans said they want Equalization taken out of the Canadian constitution.

On Tuesday, Elections Alberta released the results of the October 18 ballot, with 61.7% of people voting yes.

A total of 38% of people voted to keep the formula that has seen billions of dollars stream out of Alberta to other provinces.

The referendum question was: “Should section 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 – Parliament and the government of Canada’s commitment to the principle of making equalization payments – be removed from the constitution?”

A total of 1,092,639 Albertans voted in the referendum.

There were 50,969 rejected ballots and 49,336 blank ones.

You can find how your locale voted here.

Premier Jason Kenney described the vote as a “powerful statement.”

“(The feds” have an obligation to take it seriously and negotiate with us,” said Kenney, calling on the feds to “demonstrate respect for the principle of democracy.”

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and premiers to begin negotiations on the equalization program in light of the vote.

“Albertans have gone to the polls and sent a clear message that equalization isn’t working and it’s time for reform,” said Kevin Lacey, Alberta Director for the CTF.

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