Your Nov. 1 SaltWire editorial chided the average person for not understanding how the equalization formula works, but the sarcastic voting-test suggestion at the end was unnecessary and unproductive.
Nowhere in those dismissive comments did you mention the fact that the contributing provinces of Alberta and Newfoundland had been on the receiving end of the same program for many years before the energy industry arrived.
Also not mentioned was the federal government's neglect in allowing Alberta, the economic engine of our once great country, to misfire. It is landlocked and its ability to export energy continues to be stifled. Therefore, Albertans are unable to contribute more to the equalization program because Canada is losing $80 million per day in exports. Also, here on the East Coast, we still import foreign oil rather than use Canadian oil.
While completely shifting our 250-year run with carbon-based energy production to a zero-carbon economy is important, it cannot be achieved in 10 years or 30 years. But it can be done.
In the meantime, a complete picture of the issue in this space is more important than ever.
Wayne Fiander, Bedford
