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PREMIER REACTS TO NEW CABINET

Kenney urges ministers to take province’s concerns seriously

Nov 21, 2019 | 7:44 AM

EDMONTON – Premier Jason Kenney is urging federal cabinet ministers with portfolios of interest to Alberta to listen to the province’s concerns and to take them seriously.

He says in a statement that his government is willing to work with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his new cabinet to address issues the province red-flagged following last month’s federal election.

“We have much to discuss with the Prime Minister and his new cabinet on these and other items we have already set out in letters and public communications since the federal election. Our government will be a strong voice for Alberta in Ottawa and with other provinces and territories, explaining the importance of Alberta’s economy to the national economy and making the case for a Fair Deal for Alberta within Canada.”

The Liberals did not win a seat in Alberta after nabbing four in the 2015 vote and talk of western alienation has grown.

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, equalization payments and federal laws that Kenney says hurt Alberta’s energy industry have all been brought up as concerns Ottawa must address.

“Despite our own economic hardship, Alberta continues to pay a hugely disproportionate share of the country’s bills. Even during these tough economic times, over the past five years we have contributed on average $23 billion more through our federal taxes to Ottawa than we’ve received back in services and transfers. We’ve made a net contribution of $200 billion over the past decade, and of $600 billion since 1960.”

The province is also challenging the federal carbon tax in court.

He says his United Conservative government will continue to push for what he calls a fair deal for Alberta within Canada.