NationStates Jolt Archive


Ontario man benefits from Alberta's windfall

Willamena
02-02-2006, 05:11
Haha! Ralphbucks (http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=ab_home&articleID=2159499) gone astray.

A note of explanation: the Alberta government recorded a massive surplus last year, and although most of it has gone into boosting government programmes, the Canadian Conservative mentality is to "throw money at people". Just another way our conservatives differ from those south of the border. ;)

So, anyway, this guy in Ontario received a cheque...

Ontario man receives 'Ralphbucks' despite never living, working in Alberta

BRANTFORD, Ont. (CP) - Thanks Ralph!

Brian Clegg said he couldn't believe his good fortune Wednesday when he opened an envelope at his home and pulled out a $400 Alberta prosperity cheque with his name and address on it.

The 43-year-old Brantford resident said he has never lived or worked in Alberta a day in his life.

"I opened it up and I looked and it is a cheque for the amount of $400 and I said, 'Whoa'!" Clegg said, chuckling.

"I was shocked. I said, 'What is going on here? I'm in Ontario and this is an Alberta cheque.' Thank you very much."

The Alberta government started mailing out millions of the $400 cheques last week to every man, woman and child in Alberta.

Dubbed Ralphbucks after Premier Ralph Klein, the $1.4 billion is Albertans' share of the revenue the province has been raking in from record-high oil and natural gas prices

To qualify for a cheque, people are supposed to be an Alberta resident and have filed a tax return in the province last year.

Clegg, a production supervisor at a brake hose manufacturing plant, said he won't cash the cheque, but wants to hang onto it as a memento.

He said he may contact the Alberta government to let them know about the mistake.

"They should really screen their cheques before they send them out."

Scott Hennig of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation said if Clegg got a cheque he didn't deserve, other people probably have too.

"We're just wondering how many other non-Alberta residents, prisoners, dogs and who knows what else are receiving their Ralphbucks this week," Hennig said.

Albertans would have been better off with a permanent tax cut then with prosperity cheques, he said.

Alberta Finance Department officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Newtsburg
02-02-2006, 11:02
I applaud the guy for being honest. If I got the check, I'd be thinking about those new tires I need.