§ 31. Mr. Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any order has been made by the Government of Alberta withdrawing from circulation any remaining prosperity notes; whether any additional financial benefits have been issued; and what is the present financial situation of the Province?
Mr. M. MacDonaldAs regards the first part of the question, my information is that no order withdrawing from circulation outstanding balances of scrip money, also known as "prosperity certificates," has been made by the Government of Alberta, but that the Provincial Treasurer announced on 7th April that the plan to circulate these certificates had been abandoned. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that no additional benefits in the form of such certificates or of social credit dividends have been issued to the public in Alberta. As regards the last part, it appears from a report prepared by the Bank of Canada that it is estimated that for the year ending 31st March last, there will be a deficit of 1,000,000 dollars.
§ Mr. LyonsCan my right hon. Friend tell the House whether it is a fact that the Government of Alberta have now refused to accept the remaining prosperity certificates in payment of their own taxation, and whether this is the failure and complete collapse of the promise of Social Credit?
Mr. MacDonaldI can only say that the Government of Alberta have already accepted a good many of their certificates in payment of taxation. Whether they have now reversed that policy I could not say without notice.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes the Minister not think that the best way to improve the prosperity of all countries is a better distribution of wealth?