Alberta’s Turn at the Trough?

A scholar of game theory might argue that it’s rational and in your self-interest to play a game even though you’d much rather not. I suspect that’s the reason why Ed Stelmach, Alberta’s Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs yesterday said that Alberta would be going up to the trough for $40 million for immigrant services and $400 to $500 billion for healthcare.

It makes sense, I suppose. Martin’s been making a mockery of the transfer and equalization program for the last several months with his side deals with the Maritimes and more recently with Ontario. Saskatchewan’s Lorne Calvert was either too tardy or too honorable because it seems he got into the game a little too late:

“This is all politics…. There’s no economic reason, speaking as an economics professor, that I can think of why the federal government would favour Ontario taxpayers over Alberta taxpayers, when they face the exact same issues,” said Ronald Kneebone of the University of Calgary.

Well, duh.

The sad thing is that southern Albertans are proud of their ranching and livestock operations, and call their area “feedlot alley.” The downside of “feedlot alley” is that is really stinks when the wind blows the wrong way.

But they don’t want Ottawa taking over the name brand, and the stink coming out of Ottawa is a lot worse.

UPDATE: K@chikel reveals that Klein overruled Stelmach. No troughs for Alberta!