(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Alberta believe their influence on Canada’s affairs has not increased since the federal Conservative party formed the government in 2006, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 56 per cent of respondents believe the West "is not in".

In addition, 49 per cent of respondents think Canada’s federal government treats Alberta fairly, while 41 per cent say it does not.

In the 1993 Canadian federal election, the governing Progressive Conservatives—led by Kim Campbell—were reduced to just two seats in the House of Commons. The Reform party—formed by western Canadians who were upset with Ottawa’s policies—received a high level of support in areas usually dominated by the Progressive Conservatives and elected 52 federal lawmakers.

The Reform party was renamed the Canadian Alliance (CA) in 2000. The CA merged with the Progressive Conservatives to form the Conservative party in December 2003. Stephen Harper became the political organization’s first leader in March 2004.

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. During his victory speech, Harper declared: "The West has wanted in, the West is in now!" Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.

In October 2007, the federal Tories presented their government plan in the traditional Speech from the Throne, read by governor-general Michaëlle Jean. The Harper administration announced plans to "introduce legislation to place formal limits on the use of the federal spending power for new shared-cost programs in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction" in order to "allow provinces and territories to opt out with reasonable compensation if they offer compatible programs."

Polling Data

After the Conservative party’s victory in the 2006 federal election, Stephen Harper declared: "The West has wanted in, the West is in now!" After two years of Harper’s tenure, do you think the West is in?

Do you think Alberta is treated fairly or unfairly by the current federal government?

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 807 Albertan adults, conducted from Feb. 8 to Feb. 11, 2008. Margin of error is 3.4 per cent.

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