A Sales Tax for Alberta
The days of buoyant capital investment, jobs, and wealth are passing Alberta by as the boom-and-bust cycle runs its course and the global climate crisis becomes more acute. As the province scrambles to boost the dying oil economy and curb spending, one solution is all but ignored – a sales tax. In this collection, Alberta scholars and policy experts map out why and how a provincial sales tax should and can be implemented.
Drawing on policy analysis, recent history, personal experiences, and conversations with Albertans, former politicians, and senior public servants, contributors build a decisive case for why a sales tax is a more efficient tax than corporate or personal income taxes. They examine energy revenues, household incomes, and political support as well as opportunities for improving democracy and reducing the volatility of government revenues. Finally, this volume offers recommendations on structuring a consultative review process to improve Alberta’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
Robert L. Ascah was the director of the Institute for Public Economics at the University of Alberta. Previously, he worked at Alberta Treasury Branches and was responsible for government relations, strategic planning, and economic research. He is the author of Politics and Public Debt: The Dominion, the Banks and Alberta's Social Credit. His blog is abpolecon.ca
Contributors: Ergete Ferede, Ian Glassford, Kenneth J. McKenzie, Melville McMillan, Elizabeth Smythe, and Graham Thomson.
