Alberta's Economic Woes Lie Within: UCP Policies Blamed for Province's Decline

Contrary to conventional wisdom, recent polling suggests that Albertans' discontent with Canada is not as deep-seated as thought. Despite a massive disinformation campaign and media collaboration, a majority of Albertans remain in favor of remaining part of Canada.

The question then arises: why do they want to stay? According to prominent Canadian economist Jim Stanford, the roots of Alberta's economic discontent lie within the province itself, rather than with Ottawa. Dr. Stanford argues that successive conservative governments in Alberta have practiced 'blame Ottawa' politics, claiming that federal policies are responsible for the province's economic woes.

However, Dr. Stanford debunks this claim, citing data showing that Alberta has performed poorly relative to other provinces in key areas such as economic growth, investment, wages, and living standards. He notes that productivity per worker is higher in Alberta than anywhere else in Canada, yet wages barely match the national average.

Dr. Stanford attributes this decline in wages to the wage-suppression policies of the United Conservative Party (UCP) government, which has introduced measures such as an eight-year freeze on the minimum wage and restrictions on union organizing and collective bargaining. He argues that these policies have deliberately suppressed wages, rather than being a result of federal policies.

In contrast, Dr. Stanford points out that production and export of petroleum have never been higher, with profits setting new records. However, petroleum employment has declined by 40,000 in the last decade, not due to Ottawa's interference, but because companies found ways to produce more oil and gas with fewer workers.