Fildebrandt calls for rollback of business, carbon taxes
If Derek Fildebrandt gets his way, a new united conservative party would eliminate Alberta’s carbon and small business taxes, and bring back a 10-per-cent flat tax rate.
Fildebrandt, the Wildrose MLA for Strathmore-Brooks, unveiled a suite of tax proposals under the United Liberty banner Tuesday, saying he wants to talk about policy — not partisan politics — ahead of the July 22 unity vote.
“We’re here to try and kick-start the ideas,” Fildebrandt said in a Facebook live broadcast.
It’s the second set of proposals offered by his United Liberty group — last week it was “rolling back the nanny state” — but Fildebrandt told Postmedia afterwards his first priority is cementing a Yes vote in three weeks’ time.
A merger between the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative parties shouldn’t be a marriage of convenience, he said, but one of love.
“It’s not about just beating the NDP, but what we’re going to do once they’re gone,” he said.
Tuesday’s announcement covered a broad swath of topics after he opened the floor to viewers’ questions — a provincial sales tax (no), recall legislation (yes), school choice (increase it), and his hunting draw for the season (deer and ducks).
There was also a thread of getting Ottawa out of Alberta’s business, including pushing for changes to equalization payments and joining Brad Wall to sue the federal government over the carbon tax.
“I’m tired of a federal government that not just forgets us, but treats us like a colony,” Fildebrandt said.
“One thing I do want us to do is show some gonads and stand up for Alberta’s rights under the Constitution and vigorously fight any attempt from Trudeau or any other politician — conservative or liberal — to impose themselves into provincial jurisdiction.”
Fildebrant will decide whether to run for leader of the United Conservative Party after the vote determining the party’s very existence.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean has already declared his intention to pursue the top job, as has Calgary lawyer Doug Schweizer, who has also unveiled a host of policies.
Tory Leader Jason Kenney is also expected to throw his hat in the ring.