I live in Nova Scotia and we've had our economic down turn too, long ago and many from here are in Alberta now. The downturn in Alberta is not the federal government's fault, but the result of environmental and political concerns by others and those concerns will only deepen.
Toad I've been dealing with climate change deniers for a couple of decades now and their favorite line (promoted and financed by the oil industry) that it's a tax grab by governments is a fact, others can post a ton of links for this, I won't bother.
Do you believe in man made climate change, or global warming? Future sea level rises? I think you need to address these two questions before we can move on to policy issues, these are really moral and ethical issues and need to be addressed first. Also this is the second time you've addressed the people of Quebec as the "other" and I'm suspecting a bit of bigotry on your part, all the maritime provinces benefit from transfer payments too, yet you are focused on Quebec getting a "free ride".
Like I said, everybody uses fossil fuels because they have no choice, in part that choice was removed starting a couple of decades ago by disinformation, corruption and lobbying, it what we do moving forward that counts. We are talking about global problems and they impact Alberta's problems and will do so much more into the future. Donald Trump is a climate change denier because Putin told him to be, Russia is in your corner on this issue as well, so expect a lot of support from that quarter. The manufactured "climategate scandal" a couple of decades back was a result of Russian hacking and disinformation in conjunction with the oil industry, it set the cause of climate change and alternative energy sources back a decade at least.
I hope I've explained my logic to you, now start explaining your logic to me and start by answering a couple of basic questions honestly. Do you believe in man made climate change? Do you believe it will lead to sea level rise? I am a reasonable person who sees a bigger picture than you do and who has larger concerns than yours, which center around economic conditions in Alberta almost exclusively. Another name for tar sands is bitumen, as in bitumen coal and we've got lot's of that where I live too.
DIY
I appreciate the fairness of open dialogue
First things first...I totally agree that the climate is influenced by our burning of fossil fuels...and yes, I believe it has the potential to impact flooding..no question! I never suggested otherwise.
I also hate Trump as he has totally undone the the various institutions and the checks and balances they offer..( and trust me..hate is
Mild in the context I use it here)
As for your reference to Quebec, another metaphor perhaps..Quebec has received over 51% of all equalization payment since the program started...Alberta, receiving just .02% of the pie..in the past that was fine by me, but now that Alberta is suffering where is our support?...think of a parent with multiple children..that parent, continues to buy treats for one child with some sort of a disability...neglecting all but one...Think there might be some resentment? if ever a
time came when the other children needed something only to have the parent say.."Quit your whining!"
People are losing their homes and committing suicide here in Alberta, and rest of Canada chuckles....Part if my issue is that Quebec has had no problem accepting dirty Oil and Gas money all these years but now refuses to help Alberta to get it energy to market now that US is self sufficient
Climate change is problem, I think most on this board will acknowledge it as a
Massive problem. Instead, for some, its easier to use Alberta as a scapegoat thinking that it is up to Alberta energy companies to monitor peoples consumption of fossil fuels as opposed to people taking ownership of their own consumption.
Back to basic disclosure..this is directed at both you and Buck...I've asked this numerous times only to have the questions deflected...
****Does you family own a vehicle..What kind and how many in the family?
****How do you primarily heat your home?
(lets keep this fair and transparent)
I drive a tacoma, my wife drives a Subaru wagon..and Nat gas heats our home.
www.washingtontimes.com
people.com
www.statista.com
www.theguardian.com
But you can smoke a joint and laugh at the stupid fucking morons like those who use cannabis but support either Conservatives or Republican just too stupid to understand the cause and effect reality we all exist in.