Let’s talk about a truth that doesn’t get enough daylight: money.
The West—Alberta in particular—has been Canada’s economic engine for decades.
Oil. Gas. Agriculture. Innovation. Industry.
But for all we contribute, we’re stuck in the back seat—watching the East steer the vehicle we pay to fuel.
Equalization: What Was Supposed to Be Fair…
Equalization payments were created to level the playing field. In principle?
Fair enough. Every Canadian should have access to a base standard of services.
But in practice?
It’s a pipeline of Western wealth flowing East—with almost no say in where it goes or how it’s used.
And here’s the kicker:
The very provinces who cash the cheques are often the first to block pipelines, lecture the West on emissions, and rally against the industries footing the bill.
Lougheed Saw It Coming
Peter Lougheed, Alberta’s Premier in the 1970s and 80s, wasn’t just a politician—he was a prophet.
He fought like hell to keep control of Alberta’s resources. He knew what was coming:
- Federal centralization
- Eastern interference
- Economic dependence disguised as national unity
He wasn’t wrong.
A System That Restricts While It Collects
Decade after decade, the West has poured money into a system that doesn’t even pretend to represent us fairly.
We get:
- Policy restrictions
- Energy roadblocks
- Environmental lectures
They get:
- Transfer payments
- Political leverage
- The moral high ground
We produce. We build. We give.
And we get told to be quiet.
The Lesson?
“Unity” was never about balance. It was about managing the West while squeezing every drop of economic value from it.
Lougheed warned us.
Ottawa ignored it.
And we’re still footing the bill.
There We Are Then 