Alberta Premier Ralph Klein fields media questions after delivering a speech at the Edmonton Petroleum Club on Sept. 29, 2004. CP Photo/John Ulan
Commentary
Albertans of a certain vintage are feeling a sense of déjà vu regarding Premier Danielle Smith’s announcement of a one-time payout of $100 for every Albertan living in a household with less than $225,000 combined income per year. Premier Ralph Klein announced just such a program a little more than 20 years ago, and his rationale for the payout was very similar to that used by the Smith government today. It’s ostensibly a payout to offset the cost-of-living challenges incurred by high oil prices while government revenues have been climbing.
