St. John’s, NL (December 10, 2018) – Opposition Leader Ches Crosbie says the national meeting of Finance Ministers proves that Equalization is a “broken system.”

Out of the total Equalization funding of $20 billion, Quebec will receive an increase next year of $1.4 billion to $13.1 billion, or 65 per cent of the total.  Resource-based provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador will receive nothing.

Quebec is running a $3 billion surplus this year.

Earlier this year, the Trudeau Liberals quietly locked in the current Equalization formula for another five years despite promising to renegotiate it.

“The Dwight Ball Liberal government closes their eyes while the Trudeau federal Liberals enable Quebec to hog Equalization, while Quebec blocks access to markets for western oil and Newfoundland and Labrador hydro power,” said Crosbie.

“Playing lap dog to Ottawa doesn’t work,” said Crosbie.  “Confederation only works fairly when the smaller provinces band together and punch above their weight.”

Contacts:
Bradley Russell
Director of Policy and Research
(p) 1.709.729.3668
(c) 1.709.685.3161
BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca