Independent MLA Drew Barnes is in the area tonight making a presentation about ending equalization.

He says it's important people realize Alberta has sent billions of dollars to other provinces, especially Quebec, when that money could have helped Albertans.

"In the past Alberta has sent over $659 billion to Ottawa since 1960, money that could have helped our families and our communities instead, secondly for the future. Quebec, the main recipient of equalization has a generation fund almost as big as our Heritage Trust Fund and of course a budget surplus and it's also about the fact some people are saying that because of Premier Jason Kenney's low popularity that some people may come out and not support equality for Alberta, they may use it as a way to get back at the premier and it's important that people understand that it's time that Alberta got a fair deal in confederation," Barnes says.

It's been 20 years since Stephen Harper and others penned the Alberta Agenda letter, what came to be known as the firewall letter, and yet Barnes says nothing has changed

"Nothing's been done to push for a fair deal for Alberta families, Alberta workers and Alberta communities so Albertans are telling us enough's enough, so let's get out there and vote yes to equalization and let's insist on a fair deal," he says.

The province has added a referendum question on equalization to the October 18 municipal election ballot.

Thursday night's open meeting is being held at the Willard's Whiskey Hill Farm on the dump road south of Okotoks and across from the transmission towers.

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@okotoksonline.com