Smith has an incredible capacity and determination to blame opponents for all things real and imaginary, to undermine fiscal mechanisms, to undermine municipalities, to use conspiracies to cast doubt on institutions, and to harness bigotry for her own gain. If she devoted a fraction of that effort to actual good faith governance, she might actually solve some problems. But instead, we’ve become Florida.
Step by step, they're following the road-to-independence playbook. Sadly, it's not even because the smarter ones think they'll be successful. It's all about playing to the base and making money doing it.
I'm one of those Albertans old enough to remember when school boards collected their taxes directly. Klein put a stop to that in 1995, in order to ensure funding of rural divisions was equitable to the bigger, richer cities (Equalization, if you will). But it had the effect of neutering the school boards, undermining the power of those duly-elected bodies.
Smith clearly doesn't like opposition, especially from other orders of government. With municipalities, she doesn't need to fret about the constitutionality of such a move, only the politics, meaning effective resistance will need to come from the small cities and counties.
Indeed. And wasn't Brian Jean recently musing aloud about using income tax revenue to pay the municipal taxes of the poor put-upon jr oils? That would be sooooo much easier to bury - sorry, "manage" - if all done within the Treasury.
Smith cannot be trusted, not with our property taxes, our CPP, our Heritage trust fund. Maybe if delinquent oil companies were made to pay up instead of being treated with kid gloves, the province wouldn’t be short of cash.
Why, oh why, does nobody talk about doing what some States and many European countries have done, and eliminate property tax and instead implement a municipal income tax? In other words, you pay municipal taxes based on your income, not your property value. It would sure help many seniors to stay in the homes they may have built and are being priced out of the market....
We elect local officials to represent our community and our property taxes should be dispersed by our local government representatives, they are the heart of our community.
I am a Canadian and I was going to say something about Smith who I find to be untrustworthy and all about herself but Garth Jolly said it or me. I feel she and Pierre Poilievre could destroy Canada.
No, municipalities should collect taxes for the province.
Local government is the most important as it provides all our basic services. Once those local needs are met any surplus funds can go to higher levels of government and they can continue to piss it away
Yes. People would have to act to effect change and make their concerns known to the govt and their MP’s.That takes desire,energy and commitment. Alberta might not be unhappy with her leadership enough.
Smith has an incredible capacity and determination to blame opponents for all things real and imaginary, to undermine fiscal mechanisms, to undermine municipalities, to use conspiracies to cast doubt on institutions, and to harness bigotry for her own gain. If she devoted a fraction of that effort to actual good faith governance, she might actually solve some problems. But instead, we’ve become Florida.
Step by step, they're following the road-to-independence playbook. Sadly, it's not even because the smarter ones think they'll be successful. It's all about playing to the base and making money doing it.
Yup.
I'm one of those Albertans old enough to remember when school boards collected their taxes directly. Klein put a stop to that in 1995, in order to ensure funding of rural divisions was equitable to the bigger, richer cities (Equalization, if you will). But it had the effect of neutering the school boards, undermining the power of those duly-elected bodies.
Smith clearly doesn't like opposition, especially from other orders of government. With municipalities, she doesn't need to fret about the constitutionality of such a move, only the politics, meaning effective resistance will need to come from the small cities and counties.
And since none of them want to risk funding to stand up…
Sorry, shouldn’t say “none”, but I expect “few”.
Indeed. And wasn't Brian Jean recently musing aloud about using income tax revenue to pay the municipal taxes of the poor put-upon jr oils? That would be sooooo much easier to bury - sorry, "manage" - if all done within the Treasury.
Bingo.
OMG Smith’s overreaching is stomach turning and she thinks Alberta residents are stupid. The pushback is coming for this disastrous government!
One can only hope...
Smith cannot be trusted, not with our property taxes, our CPP, our Heritage trust fund. Maybe if delinquent oil companies were made to pay up instead of being treated with kid gloves, the province wouldn’t be short of cash.
Preach!!
Why, oh why, does nobody talk about doing what some States and many European countries have done, and eliminate property tax and instead implement a municipal income tax? In other words, you pay municipal taxes based on your income, not your property value. It would sure help many seniors to stay in the homes they may have built and are being priced out of the market....
She is only For herself and Power
Sick of her smoke and mirrors
She’s a back room dealer with a fool trying to be dictator, while he’s reaping havoc on the world and she thinks he’s a great business partner.🤔
We elect local officials to represent our community and our property taxes should be dispersed by our local government representatives, they are the heart of our community.
Many people feel that way :)
She’s such a sad sack. I feel down just looking at her.
I am a Canadian and I was going to say something about Smith who I find to be untrustworthy and all about herself but Garth Jolly said it or me. I feel she and Pierre Poilievre could destroy Canada.
Smith couldn’t be trusted with a refundable bottle she found on the street let alone municipal tax dollars. This party has to go.
Sure. For a fee that will go into provincial coffers.
Alberta has elected an idiot. Somehow I’m not surprised.
They want to elect another one federally. Shouldn’t happen.
No, municipalities should collect taxes for the province.
Local government is the most important as it provides all our basic services. Once those local needs are met any surplus funds can go to higher levels of government and they can continue to piss it away
Focus on how to get her out of govt. That should be the Alberta Challenge. And a reward $$$ to the person or organization whose idea makes it happen!
The only people who have that power now are her caucus. I’m not holding my breath.
Yes. People would have to act to effect change and make their concerns known to the govt and their MP’s.That takes desire,energy and commitment. Alberta might not be unhappy with her leadership enough.
Smith is a despicable human being. Any friend of Tucker needs their head examined.
What has happened to my native province?