NSEF Letter to Premier Stephen McNeil RE: Equalization

2018-04-09

The Honourable Stephen McNeil

Dear Premier McNeil:

I am writing with regard to the issue of the Nova Scotia government's distribution of the Federal Equalization Transfers,  public concern over which has now reached a critical level here on Cape Breton Island, and in other non-metropolitan areas of the province. 

I was part of a delegation from the group, Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness, who met with you in the Sydney Marine Terminal (beside the "Big Fiddle"), during the election campaign which resulted in your party's defeat of the NDP and your forming your first government.

At that time, we presented to you and your campaign staff copies of documents detailing the cumulative fiscal consequences of previous provincial governments' refusal to address the obvious injustice in their distribution of the Federal Equalizition Transfers to the 42 Nova Scotia municipalities then eligible to receive a share of that distribution.

Attached to this e-mail are three pages of the most recent evidence of that continuing injustice, which is inflaming public resentment for what is now widely regarded as an irresponsible, and unconstitutional, policy of diverting equalization transfers away from their intended purpose, in order to support the centralization of economic development in Halifax.

Public demonstrations to call for a change in the province's equalization policy are currently being organized for Sydney, Halifax and the Canso Causeway.  Provincial and federal officials have been contacted, requesting forensic audits to determine how recent Nova Scotia governments have spent the equalization money which they withheld from the intended municipal recipients.  And the constituents of Nova Scotia MLA's are being urged to bring political pressure on your government to do something to rectify this manifest injustice.

The reflexive response of Nova Scotia government agencies, in rebuffing previous attempts to engage them in a discussion about this misguided and economically counter-productive, equalization policy, has been that the federal transfer payments to Nova Scotia are "unconditional;" and, that it is therefore permissible for the provincial government to use that money in any way it may choose.

The invalidity of that argument is readily apparent from any reading of Section 36 of The Constitution Act of 1982, which sets out the purpose of the Federal Transfer Payments to the provinces (See excerpt below). That explicit purpose is "to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation." [emphasis added].

The only aspect of equalization that is "unconditional" is how eligible municipalities choose to apply their transfer grants: either to the improvement of particular public services, or to the reduction of local taxes. Although there are no conditions imposed on which public services the province may choose to provide in the eligible municipalities, it is absurd to argue that the provincial government can arbitrarily spend equalization money on any other purpose than those public services for which it is responsible, in the eligible municipalities. 

Should you be in any doubt about the glaring disparities in levels of public services and levels of taxation between those in Halifax and those in, say, the CBRM, consider the following Nova Scotia government data:

(1) The residential and commercial tax rates in Sydney have increased over the past five years, and are now 87% and 68%, respectively, higher than the corresponding rates in Halifax, where they have actually decreased.

(2) In 2014, the median total family income in Halifax was $84,560;  $20,850 more than in Cape Breton, and $5,690 more than the national average.

Similar disparities exist between the annual amounts that Halifax is able to spend on public services and those that the eligible municipalities can afford.

Furthermore, Nova Scotia Labour Market Statistics show that every region of Nova Scotia, except Halifax, has been experiencing continuing demographic declines and decreasing employment levels. 

Approximately 26% of the federal Equalization Transfer to Nova Scotia is intended to be distributed, as "Fiscal Capacity" equalization grants, among those of its municipalities that are unable to raise sufficient revenue from local property taxes to be able to pay for municipal public services that are reasonably comparable to those provided by other Canadian municipalities, for reasonably comparable tax rates.

The remaining 74% of the Equalization Transfer is intended to enable the Nova Scotia  government itself to provide the public services for which it is responsible ­ and that are not covered by the Health Transfer and Social Transfer ­ to those same municipalities which are eligible to receive the equalization grants.

The attached worksheet - which presents the relevant Nova Scotia government data - shows that, over the 20 years since fiscal year 1999/2000, the Nova Scotia government has received a total of $30 billion in annual Equalization Transfers,which have increased from $1.2 billion to over $1.9 billion over that period. The 26% "Fiscal Capacity" portion of those transfers ­ intended to supplement the property tax revenues of municipalities unable to afford municipal services for which they are responsible, because of insufficient property tax revenues ­ has totalled $7.8 billion

Over the same two decades, the 74% portion of the Equalization Transfers, intended to enable the provincial government itself to provide the public services for which it is responsible, to the same municipalities (and not covered by the annualHealth Transfers and Social Transfers), has totalled $22.2 billion.

However, for some reason, the provincial government arbitrarily decided that those Nova Scotia municipalities for whom the 26% Fiscal Capacity portion of the Equalization Transfers was intended were only "entitled" to receive a tiny fraction of the amount which had been provided for them by the federal government. 

Until 2014/2015, this so-called "Entitlement" amounted to an average of merely 12% of the Fiscal Capacity portion of the federal Equalization Transfer. Since then, as the federal Equalization Transfers have steadily increased, the Nova Scotia government has been concealing the amount it defines as the municipalities' "Entitlement"  -  presumably to preclude further comparisons to be made. 

Even more inexplicable, since 2007/2008, the Nova Scotia government has arbitrarily capped the amount of this "Entitlement" which it then actually distributes to the eligible municipalities at $30,500,000.  Consequently, the percentage of the "Entitlement" amount which is actually distributed to the eligible municipalities has now fallen to only 44.5% of the provincial government's own, creatively-styled, "Entitlement," and only 6.4% of the "Fiscal Capacity" portion of theEqualization Transfer provided to Nova Scotia, in trust for these municipalities, by the federal government, to enable them to attain the "reasonably comparable," Constitutional standards of public services and taxation.

Over the past two decades, on the evidence of its own public disclosures, the Nova Scotia government has misappropriated and diverted to purposes other than what was Constitutionally intended to be provided to these eligible non-urban municipalities throughout the province ­ a total of $7.2 billion.

To put  into perspective the impact that this historical misuse of the federal Equalization Transfer has had on the municipalities for which it is intended, consider that the CBRM has received, over this 20-year period, only $306 million, or 7.4%, of the $4,128 million that the federal government intended it to receive, in accordance with both the spirit and the letter of the federal and provincial commitments in Section 36.2 of the Constitution.

Until recently, newspaper editors in Nova Scotia, and their readers in Cape Breton, have seemed unwilling to reflect on the implications of the above observations. This was understandable, since self-serving business interests and party loyalists were aggressively mocking and distorting the information, in order to discredit John Morgan, the former CBRM mayor, and to thwart his conscientious efforts to engage the provincial government in a responsible discussion of the impact that its indefensible equalization policy was having on communities throughout the province  -  the same communities the data on whose dire economic circumstances the provincial government seems to have been only too happy to rely upon, each year, to justify as large a Federal Equalization Transfer as possible.

Now, however, several factors have combined to create an environment in which there is an escalating level of anger and impatience with politicians at all government levels. These factors include: (1) growing public awareness of the alarming demographic and economic decline taking place throughout Cape Breton Island,, as well as in other rural areas of Nova Scotia; (2) heightened public vigilance aroused by problematic, secret agreements associated with development of the Port of Sydney; and (3) the reopening of public debate over Cape Breton's separation from Nova Scotia and establishment of independent, provincial status. 

I respectfully suggest that you initiate, and lead, an open, sincere  -  and historic  -  effort to negotiate changes to the provincial government's equalization policy that will not only comply with the Constitutional purpose of equalization, but will also serve the interests of citizens throughout Nova Scotia, not just the financial and political interests of the Halifax establishment. 

Having studied, promoted, and written about, genuine local economic development, I have been shocked at the willingness of otherwise reputable scholars and responsible business leaders to acquiesce in the unjust, and counter-productive, concentration of development spending in Halifax, especially in an age of networked creativity, innovation and markets.  Young people are leaving this province in droves, not simply because of a lack of  good jobs, but because they view its leaders  as stuck in  the antiquated, and   exploitive, colonial attitudes of the 18th and 19th centuries.  

Our young people see that our elected representatives are co-opted by their parties into supporting immediate establishment interests, rather than their own communities' long-term interests. They see the looming effects of global climate change compounding during their lifetime, yet Nova Scotia's renewable energy policies are distorted to protect and serve the interests of traditional monopolies. They see educational policies set by people whose own education was intended to serve the obsolete economic activities of previous generations. Science, engineering, mathematics and technology are still treated as optional subjects, rather than as the foundational pillars of all future economic opportunity.

One has only to observe how young people use their smart phones to realize how badly our educational system has underestimated their potential, their awareness of the world, and their fear of missing out ("FOMO") on all of the interesting things going on elsewhere  -  virtually guaranteeing the increasing inflexibility and senescence of Nova Scotia society.

Finally, as you are aware, local governments across Nova Scotia are now closing down, because the preferential, and ethically unjustifiable, pampering of Halifax has been perpetuated by every, successive, Nova Scotia government, despite that policy's socially and economically destructive consequences to their communities.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my remarks and the suggestion of a summit meeting, to determine how Nova Scotia's communities can cooperate in reversing their demographic and economic debilitation, and in rebuilding this province's future.

Sincerely,

N. Paul Patterson, Ph.D.
Syncom Strategic Planning Consultants
(formerly, Chair in the Management of Technological Change,
Cape Breton University, ret.d)
Co-author of The Loom of Change; Weaving a New Economy on Cape Breton Island (2003)
Sydney Forks, Cape Breton




The Constitution Act, 1982



PART III

EQUALIZATION AND REGIONAL DISPARITIES

36. (1) Without altering the legislative authority of Parliament or of the provincial legislatures, or the rights of any of them with respect to the exercise of their legislative authority, Parliament and the legislatures, together with the government of Canada and the provincial governments, are committed to

(a) promoting equal opportunities for the well-being of Canadians;

(b) furthering the economic development to reduce disparity in opportunities; and

(c) providing essential public services of reasonable quality to all Canadians. 

(2) Parliament and the government of Canada are committed to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.( 19)


Posted by
Receive news by email and share your news and events for free on goCapeBreton.com
SHOW ME HOW


6,707 8
https://capebreton.lokol.me/nsef-letter-to-premier-stephen-mcneil-re-equalization
Nonprofit News and Information Other Nonprofits

8

Log In or Sign Up to add a comment.
Depth
Cora MacNeil Follow Me
This has to be THE most important and most compelling letter I've EVER read. I'm at a loss for words. Well done!!!
Wayne O'Toole Follow Me
Wonderful. There are so many fighters (peacefully) across our province. Impact and change are coming!
Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness My Post Follow Me
A copy of the email sent to Cape Breton's MLA's and Stephen Mcneil. The following is a new commercial that was released by the NSEF yesterday. There is more to follow. Cape Breton will not continue to allow you to destroy this island any further. Shame on you Derek Momberquette for saying "Cape Breton is not dying" in Legislature the other day. Take a look around when you come home next time. How you sleep at night is beyond us. We have started to post the comments about you after your statement on social media. The amount is overwhelming and very angrily written. When will you and the rest of the MLA's stand up against the provincial government bullies and stop killing this island. Thank you Tammy Martin for speaking the truth and this island is behind you for doing so. When a documentary is produced on this situation, and it will, we will speak the truth about the situation. We will show the 18 years of letters and correspondence produced with no comment from government. The rest of this country will be aware that their tax dollars are being spent in Halifax, a city that does not qualify to receive equalization while the rest of the province suffers Have a great day. Dr. Rev. Albert Maroun and the NSEF Video link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NBIbtPEP0 cc: social media platforms
Charles Sampson Follow Me
These Equalization payments need an audit and an end to transferring them without that condition. Great letter. Time for our “political representatives” to demand the audit they called for in their AGM Resolution.
Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness My Post Follow Me
Response to Kirk O’Connell.Part 1 Dear Mr. O’Connell. This is the one and only response I will be providing to you on your recent posting on Go Cape Breton. First off, I am an 87 year old Priest who has been involved in gathering the numbers for the Equalization situation now for over 18 years. I have 4 Bachelor’s degrees, 2 Master Degrees and a PhD so I think I know what I am talking about and I take great offense to the fact that you are calling me a liar. We have investigated the situation from the Federal level as well as the Provincial level very intensely over the past 18 years and we know for a fact that funding is being provided from the Federal Government called Equalization. 26.8% of this transfer is provided because of the weakness in municipal units to provide the revenue needed to deliver services to these areas at an “EQUAL” rate to the rest of the country. Here in Cape Breton we pay 87% higher taxes to achieve this while the funds sent to the Provincial Government to lower our taxes, build infrastructure, create jobs, etc is not being provided. Most people in Cape Breton have had enough and there is much talk about becoming a territory and separating from the province.
Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness My Post Follow Me
Kirk O'Connell Part 2 You seem to enjoy causing controversy with your comments but we understand that you are just another Cape Breton hater and we have come across a few over the years. I understand you were raised here but now live in “The Province of Halifax”. The fact is that we are not treated equal in this region and it goes against the Constitution of Canada and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If we (Excuse my language) were stating “Bull ****”, why has not one person from Government commented on it to us. Why will no politician return our calls or letters? Why does the Federal Government keep commenting to us that they are doing their part by providing the funds but the provincial government is not disbursing them properly? You stated that the Equalization money is used to provide health care at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, well if you knew what you were talking about, you would understand that Equalization has nothing to do with health care and a separate transfer is provided for that. So, Mr. O’Connell, we will not engage with you further but we do ask that you take your own advice and use “Google” to investigate the Equalization system further and better educate yourself before you spout off again. As usual, we will provide you again with the relevant documents. Have a great day. Dr. Rev. Albert Maroun
Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness My Post Follow Me
References provided again for Mr. Kirk O'Connell https://www.fin.gc.ca/fedprov/mtp-eng.asp https://novascotia.ca/dma/pdf/2016-Historical_Equalization_Comparison.pdf Section 36.2 Canada Constitution.... EQUALIZATION AND REGIONAL DISPARITIES Marginal note:Commitment to promote equal opportunities 36. (1) Without altering the legislative authority of Parliament or of the provincial legislatures, or the rights of any of them with respect to the exercise of their legislative authority, Parliament and the legislatures, together with the government of Canada and the provincial governments, are committed to (a) promoting equal opportunities for the well-being of Canadians; (b) furthering economic development to reduce disparity in opportunities; and (c) providing essential public services of reasonable quality to all Canadians. Marginal note:Commitment respecting public services (2) Parliament and the government of Canada are committed to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation The purpose of the program was entrenched in the Canadian Constitution in 1982: "Parliament and the government of Canada are committed to the principle of making equalization payments to ensure that provincial governments have sufficient revenues to provide reasonably comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation." (Subsection 36(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982) In CBRM we pay 87% higher taxes with service no where comparable to HRM.
Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness My Post Follow Me
The NSEF Press release. Hello and thank you to all that attended our regular monthly meeting last night at the New Dawn Center for Social Innovation. We are growing as a group and more and more people are being educated every day now. I just wanted to address something publicly to all our listening audience. We must remain respectful as much as possible when dealing with the politician’s offices and news media. I learned today that someone called the CBC radio here in Sydney and was quite abusive to the receptionist regarding the CBC not covering our event last night. We want to remind the public, that although we understand that there is a certain level of anger among the people now with regards to the equalization situation, the CBC is the only media outlet on this island giving us any coverage. We, the NSEF, certainly do not want to sever that connection to the public. This also will apply to the politician’s offices in our area. Please remember that when we reach out to one of the MLA’s or MP’s offices, we can’t take our frustrations out on their staff. It would be a different issue if you were talking to the politician directly as they have thick skin or at least should have but the receptionist answering the phone should not take the brunt of our anger. Thank you to everyone who has taken on this cause as of late and we hope to see you all tomorrow at the protest and remember that there is strength in numbers and together we will show this government that we are angry and we are not going away anytime soon. Hope to see you there. Regards, Dr. Maroun, Russ & the NSEF Board Members.

Facebook Comments

View all the LATEST
and HOTTEST posts
View

Share this comment by copying the direct link.

  • Our Sponsors

Using this website is subject to the Terms of Use that contain binding contractual terms.