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Think about that for a moment. Alberta’s economy and finances have been devastated by the collapse in WCS prices. We have estimates of 130,000 jobs lost — though I’m sure it is higher if you include independent contractors and consultants. We are running an $8-billion annual deficit. We have surpassed $50 billion in debt. Yet under the equalization formula, we don’t qualify for a payment from Canada.

Then look at Quebec. They boast a $3-billion surplus. They’ve paid off $10 billion in debt in recent years. They have a lower unemployment rate than we do. They also seem to have the money to afford programs that we can’t: a health system that covers extras like fertility treatment, $7 a day daycare, reduced university tuition, subsidized hydroelectric power, to name just a few. Yet not only do they still qualify for equalization, they qualify for even more next year — a $1.4-billion boost taking their federal transfer booty to $13 billion.

This is the nut of equalization: There is no conceivable way that Alberta will ever be devastated enough to qualify for payments, and there is no conceivable way Quebec will ever be well off enough to pay in. It is a rigged system. Just another scam.

UCP Leader Jason Kenney has already announced that, if elected, he will hold a referendum to change equalization and I suspect he could win on that issue alone.

That is just the beginning, though. Canada should consider itself on notice. Albertans have had enough.

In a return to the Calgary Herald, this is the first regular column that will appear every other week on these pages and online.

Danielle Smith is a radio talk show host on air from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 770 CHQR. She can be reached at danielle@770chqr.com.