The Maverick Party is looking to have changes made to the federal equalization formula.
In a news release issued August 18, party officials say far too long, Alberta and Saskatchewan have been the golden goose of Canada, contributing billions of dollars annually in equalization to “so-called have not” provinces.
The Maverick Party’s election platform advocates scrapping the current equalization formula that negatively impacts western provinces which are carrying large deficits, while provinces like Quebec can afford to build highways, schools and other infrastructure projects on the West’s dime.
Although the party’s preference is to change the formula rather than advocating removal of the principle of “equalization” from Canada’s constitution, the Maverick Party is endorsing a ‘yes’ in a referendum currently underway in Alberta. The party said voting ‘yes’ will send a message to Ottawa to end the current unfair formula.
The Maverick Party is critical of the Conservative Party for being “quiet” on the Alberta referendum and the issue of equalization, suggesting the Conservatives are “banking on votes from Quebec, which expects the West’s equalization payments to continue indefinitely.”
Diane Pastoor of Dalmeny is the Maverick Party candidate in the riding of Carlton Trail -Eagle Creek.
The Maverick Party says its MPs who are successful in the current federal election will have a singular goal; to support legislation that benefits the West, while the Party works towards greater autonomy and self-determination through constitutional change, or the establishment of an independent western nation, within or outside of confederation.