Thread by @Norlaine

Just once more, for those who still haven't voted: The equalization referendum is pure political theatre, just like voting for senators. It means absolutely nothing, changes nothing. Vote No to tell Jason Kenney you are not bamboozled by his slippery sales pitches. 1/10

Why is the equalization referendum meaningless? First of all, Alberta DOES NOT write a cheque to anywhere to pay for equalization. That just is not a thing. 2/10

Albertans along with all Canadians who earn an income pay federal income tax. We all pay the same tax rate, whether you are in Nunavut or PEI or Ontario, or BC or Alberta. If you make $200K in Alberta you pay the exact same tax rate as every other Canadian who makes $200K 3/10

All the income goes into a big fund and some of it goes back to provinces who cannot raise enough money through provincial taxes, etc to guarantee their citizens comparable social services as other provinces. 4/10

Alberta has a really low provincial tax rate, compared to other provinces. Alberta does not have a provincial sales tax. All the other provinces do. So, Alberta has not maxed out it's various ways to raise money for our social safety net. Other provinces have. 5/10

When provinces have maxed everything out and still don't have the funds to cover the things their people need, on a comparable basis with the other provinces, they receive equalization payments. 6/10

See, it's because we are a country and we want to take care of all our fellow Canadians. Your taxes won't go down without equalization payments. You won't suddenly get to stop paying federal income tax. That's not how this works. 7/10

The referendum will do nothing to change equalization. As much as Mr. Kenney wants you to believe he has all kinds of powers to do stuff, he doesn't. This is just theatre, something to get Albertans riled up and hating on the rest of Canada. 8/10

A yes vote on this question will say to the rest of Canada that Albertans are greedy bastards who don't give a damn about anyone but themselves. A no vote will let Jason Kenney know Albertans have had enough and we are fed up with him and his government. 9/10

So, where do you stand? A vote for Kenney and his magical thinking and false reality, or a vote to to say, "Hell no! Drop the writ already! We need a provincial election now!" 10/10