Alberta New Democratic Party demands disclosure of the full cost of referendum spending
Key Points
- 1. The NDP claims referendum spending is being hidden and demands full transparency regarding all costs.
- 2. Freedom of Information requests revealed at least 665,000 dollars in additional spending on promotional campaigns.
- 3. The total known cost of the referendum reaches between 132 and 182 million dollars, including organizing and impact report expenses.
- 4. The Calgary Chamber of Commerce warned that the province's separation could shrink the economy by 62 billion dollars annually.
By the Numbers
The Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) is asking the UCP government to publicly disclose the full cost of all expenditures related to the upcoming referendum. New documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests show that at least 665,000 Canadian dollars in additional spending was allocated for the referendum website, advertising, and promotional videos.
According to NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, this amount is on top of the 130 to 180 million dollars to be spent organizing the referendum and the 1.5 million dollars allocated for a report examining the potential economic impacts of Alberta's separation from Canada. Nenshi noted that the known costs reach a total of between 132 and 182 million dollars, emphasizing that this money could have been spent on public priorities such as the cost of living.
Business leaders are warning that the uncertainty created by the separation referendum is undermining investor confidence and threatening economic growth. According to a report commissioned by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Alberta's independence could shrink the provincial economy by 62 billion dollars annually. Meanwhile, the Premier's office stated that the government supports Alberta remaining in Canada, but will also continue to pursue constitutional reforms that will increase the province's sovereignty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. S: What is the total known cost of the referendum to be held in Alberta?
- C: The total known expenditure for organizing the referendum, impact report studies, and advertising campaigns ranges between 132 and 182 million Canadian dollars.
- 2. S: How will Alberta's separation from Canada impact the economy?
- C: According to a report prepared by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the province's independence could lead to an annual economic shrinkage of 62 billion dollars and thousands of job losses.
- 3. S: Why does the NDP oppose the referendum spending?
- C: The NDP argues that the government is not transparently disclosing the expenditures and is spending this money on the referendum instead of solving priority issues like the cost of living.
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