Albertans to vote on opting out of federal programs - while keeping cash
The Alberta government is proposing a referendum to allow the province to opt out of federal programs while retaining federal funding. The move aims to challenge federal spending power in areas of provincial jurisdiction like healthcare and education.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing constitutional tensions between Canadian provinces and the federal government regarding jurisdictional authority and fiscal policy.
Albertans will also be presented with four constitutional questions that range from abolishing the Senate to whether Alberta should appoint the judges who sit on the province’s higher courts.
Third on the list will be a question tied to federal programs like pharmacare. The federal government provides funding to provinces for these programs, sometimes with conditions attached.
The Alberta government wants that to change.
As part of the referendum, voters will be asked if they support a government push to try to amend the Constitution.
The stated goal? To allow provinces to opt out of federal programs “that intrude on provincial jurisdiction such as health care, education and social services” without losing any associated federal funding for use in social programs.
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