This past Thursday a book launch took place at the University Club to celebrate the publication of A Sales Tax for Alberta. Below are my speaking notes and pictures from this celebration.
Speaking Notes- Book Launch
Book launch A Sales Tax for Alberta- Why and How
University Club, Edmonton
22 September 2022
My friends, the journey has not ended, it is just beginning! An inflated ego drove this project in the vain hope that we might convince one courageous politician to choose to take on this controversial project – a sales tax for Alberta.
There are so many who helped this book across the goal line providing support and thoughtful feedback. First to my wife Linda who has been both a catalyst and huge support through what became a longer journey than expected. The initial germination of an Alberta fiscal history was brought to Glen Rollans of Brush Publishing in June 2018. He demurred but thoughtfully passed me onto Pam Holway at the AU Press. About this time Robert Bhatia suggested the subject of a sales tax with the focus on the “how” of a sales tax.
My original thought was to host a conversation amongst academics, business and labour leaders, advocacy groups and political parties on the pros and cons of a sales tax. Easy. There would be a multitude of people willing to go on the record. Requests were put out in the summer and fall of 2018. Of course, this time happened to be the pre-election Red Zone in Alberta- not the best time for rational public debate! Except for academics and advocacy leaders, no one would bite especially political parties. The Liberal Party of Alberta politely declined. Needless to say, the two main parties didn’t respond. Business and labour leaders were nervous and refused to engage.
But by the beginning of 2019, I had assembled 7 academics, one journalist, an accountant and a former politician to write chapters. I started interviewing people in the fall and through the spring of 2019. The interviewees included Al O’Brien, Kevin Taft, Robert Bhatia and some “severely normal Albertans” for my chapters of the book.
The foundations of the book were being laid but its parts were still ill-defined. In January, Pam Holway from the Press became engaged and was supportive. External readers liked the concept and by the fall of 2019- after the provincial election, drafts of the chapters were coming in.
Over the past three years I have been blessed by willing collaborators, meticulous editors and the opportunity to interview a variety of people. These individuals gave generously of their time and wisdom and I am grateful.
The final result? First, thanks to the efforts of the editors, the book is accessible, not a strong suit of mine. Second, the book is comprehensive- it addresses the history, politics, obstacles and methods of implementing a sales tax. I have this fantasy, admittingly grandiose, that the book will become a “how-to manual” for approaching the difficult political conversation of a sales tax.
My naïve hope that the book would be in the hands of electors in 2019 had been dashed. Little did I know that 3 years hence the book would be ready for a UCP leadership campaign and the 2023 provincial general election
As I said earlier, this journey towards fiscal stability and sustainability is only beginning. Over the years I have talked to many people, including politicians, friends, work colleagues, and elderly bridge players. Many agree with the idea but no politician dares give the idea a test drive. They fear what I call Alberta exceptionalism and aversion to taxes. But the reason is likely more mundane. As my wife Linda eloquently puts it “they just want to get re-elected-duh”!
I leave you all with a simple ask- spread the gospel! This is just the beginning. Did you know there is a hashtag #yesttopst? Will I see a sales tax in my lifetime? Doubtful-but who knows?
Ernie Jacobson, Bob Ascah and Dr. Mel McMillan
Thank you all for coming this afternoon. Thank you to Karyn and Megan from the Press and Sharlene from Parkland for organizing this afternoon’s event. I would like to acknowledge the financial support of Parkland, AU Press and Abpolecon.ca sponsors of this event.