Prince Edward Island Premier Pat Binns, as Chair of the most recent Council of Atlantic Premiers meeting, today clarified the Atlantic position on Equalization. Premier Binns' remarks were in response to Ontario Premier Mike Harris' comments yesterday respecting the issue.
Premier Binns noted that the Atlantic Premiers have consistently advocated change to the Equalization Program in three areas: removal of the imposed ceiling; moving to a ten province formula and; comprehensive revenue coverage.
"Never once have my Atlantic colleagues and I discussed the clawback of resource revenues, nor will we be forwarding that proposal to the Annual Premiers' Conference," stated Binns. "I am somewhat concerned that Premier Harris is confusing two separate issues."
Premier Binns reiterated that addressing the question of fiscal imbalance is an urgent financial challenge facing the Federation today and is critical to strengthening the economic competitiveness of Atlantic Canada, in addition to providing vital services to our citizens.
"The existence of escalating federal surpluses reflects, to a considerable degree, an opportunity for the federal government to correct fiscal imbalances in the Canadian Federation, and I would assume that all provinces and territories would be supportive of Ottawa fulfilling their constitutional obligation in that regard," said Binns.
Like Ontario, Atlantic Premiers want to put forward national alternatives to manage the distribution of wealth so that all Canadians have access to equivalent, not just "near equivalent" standards of health care, education and social programs.
Atlantic Premiers look forward to a full discussion with Premier Harris and their other colleagues at the meeting on August 2nd in Victoria, B.C., but are not interested in pursuing a public debate that does not reflect the complete story.