yychobbyist said:
Not true at all (except the part about thread drift). The population base of all provinces with the exception of Ontario, Quebec and maybe B.C. just make sustainabiltiy impossible. Here's where you guys with all the population get to pay for being able to chose the government for the rest of us.
By and large, the Canada Health Transfer, Canada Social Transfer, and Health Reform Transfer follow the population very closely. Of the $40.7 billion that the Government collects, and then returns to the provinces (with their conditions), here are samples of the breakdown... compared to population statistics:
Ontario $16.4 billion (40%, vs population of 38%)
Alberta $4.2 billion (10%, vs. population of 10%)
PEI $0.157 billion (.3%, vs. population of .5%)
Nova Scotia $1.2 billion (2.9%, vs. popultion of 3%)
New Brunswick $.88 billion (2.1%, vs. population of 2.5%)
British Columbia $5.3 billion (13%, vs. population of 13%)
...
Yes, there are additional "equalisation" transfers beyond this... but that is a separate matter. There is no reason that THIS "hostage" money could not be taxed directly against the provincial populations by the provinces, rather than have the Federal Government "help" them.
There is NO reason for the Federal Government to be collecting $40.7 billion in taxes for purposes outside of their jurisdiction.
Best regards,
F.