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| Declaration of Principles and Policies |
| Economic and Fiscal Policies |
The Separation Party of Alberta is committed to a small and effective government which is fiscally and financially fully accountable and whose powers are limited to the functions that are essential to a modern nation state. These 21 policies will govern the future economic and fiscal growth of our nation: 1. Broad-based tax reform. We will create an economic climate in which businesses can thrive and grow, and with their success create quality job opportunities for all Albertans free from the burdensome bureaucratic red tape which entangles them at present. This will be done by broad-based tax reform, lower personal and business taxes, maintaining mandated balanced budgets and “Zero Based” budgeting in all government departments; thereby ensuring a stable monetary policy and the elimination of wasteful spending and unnecessary regulations. 2. Interest-free loans to municipalities. To enhance the status of municipalities we are committed to provide them with interest-free loans: (a) to develop and maintain their infrastructure requirements; and (b) to develop and own their own utility services, such as natural gas and power, as long as their residents approve of such developments by referendum. 3. Education and health care funding. The Separation Party of Alberta would institute a program whereby all revenues received from education taxes and health care premiums be set aside in separate operating funds to be used expressly for such purposes and, when necessary, to be supplemented from the general revenue or resource revenue to ensure the proper funding and operation of these departments. 4. Maintain $1 billion sustainable emergency disaster relief fund originally proposed by the Separation Party of Alberta. We would institute a program to set aside the sum of $1 billion in a sustainable emergency disaster relief fund to meet unexpected disasters, the program to be funded by interest earned from the Heritage Savings and Trust Fund and natural resource revenue. 5. Eliminate hotel tax. We support the elimination of the hotel tax and believe that the private sector is better able to promote their tourist industry. 6. Eliminate tire tax. We support the elimination of the tire tax and believe that the private sector is better able to promote their recycling industry. 7. Eliminate mandatory marketing boards/commissions. We support the elimination of all mandatory marketing boards and commissions and will allow producers to form voluntary marketing and export associations in a free and unfettered market economy. 8. Alberta Treasury Branches. We will continue to support the operation of the Alberta Treasury Branches and will promote their original purpose of providing competitive financial services for Alberta’s families, farmers and small businesses. 9. A clean environment. We will continue to support and enhance any initiatives and endeavors to ensure a clean environment for Albertans. Severe penalties will be levied against anyone polluting our environment. Industries will be encouraged to implement technologies which will ensure a clean environment as a result of their manufacturing. 10. Eliminate indirect taxes, tariffs, freight rate. The Separation Party of Alberta supports all initiatives to eliminate indirect taxes and tariffs on farm inputs and freight rate discrimination. 11. Re-establish original areas of jurisdiction. Upon forming the government of Alberta the Separation Party of Alberta will initiate legislation to re-establish the areas of jurisdiction to which our province was entitled under the British North America Act, 1867, including, but not limited to, the establishment of a provincial police force and armed services corps, an Alberta pension plan, collection of all personal and corporate taxes, healthcare, education and immigration. 12. Polluters pay for clean up. The Separation Party of Alberta opposes the unknown ramifications of the implementation of the Kyoto Accord upon Albertans, but we will impose strict laws and regulations on all effluent producing industries and ensure that the costs of air, land and water treatment or purification are borne by the polluters. 13. Reward service levels, initiative and efficiency. The Separation Party of Alberta will institute a merit system within government departments rewarding individuals for service levels, initiative and efficiency and encourage all public sector departments to follow our lead. 14. Government grants and subsidies. We would re-evalutate all government grants and subsidies. 15. Improved business-labour-government relationships. We support any program and initiative that enhances: (a) cooperation between business, labour and government to ensure that Albertans compete effectively in the global marketplace; (b) health and safety in the marketplace; (c) and gives workers and employers greater flexibility in Employment Standards and allows individual workers to voluntarily determine their membership in labour organizations; (d) and makes the Workers Compensation Board more responsive to workers and employers needs. 16. Financial penalties on Cabinet Ministers who exceed budget. A Separation Party of Alberta government would impose financial penalties on Cabinet Ministers who exceed their department’s budget. 17. Eliminate duplication of government services. We will re-evaluate and eliminate the wasteful duplication of government authorities and services. 18. Alternate taxation to be phased in. We will research the economic viability and ask Albertans that they seriously consider two forms of alternate taxation to be phased in: (a) a corporate and personal flat-rate tax of 10% on income from all sources - NO EXEMPTIONS AND NO DEDUCTIONS; or (b) a Consumption Tax (an end-user tax) of 5% - NO EXEMPTIONS AND NO DEDUCTIONS. In keeping with the reform of our taxation system, any increase in taxes would have to be decided by referendum. 19. Alberta-made formula for reasonable utility costs. Albertans are entitled to receive their utilities at reasonable cost based on an Alberta-made formula. Our efforts will be directed towards goals that ensure Albertans derive direct and lasting benefits from their natural resources and the revenues derived therefrom. 20. Iron ore deposits near Hines Creek. A Separation Party of Alberta government will promote research into the viability of developing the iron ore deposits near Hines Creek, Alberta. 21. Establish primary manufacturing facilities. The Separation Party of Alberta will work with the private sector in such endeavours in order to establish primary manufacturing facilities in Alberta. It is our intention to develop a tax system that will promote the growth of primary industry in Alberta. |
