Alberta - Redford Promises a Shake Up - Where are the Priorities

With the election in Alberta in the books, a final analysis shows that although the Redford Tories captured 61 seats in the Alberta Legislature, they only received 44% of the popular vote, compared to the Wildrose Party, which received 17 seats with 34% of the popular vote.  Essentially that means that 56% of Albertans vote against the Redford Tories.  22% of the remaining electorate was voted for leftist parties (the NDP and Liberal Party).  Alison Redford promises a major "shake up"

She wants to transform how government delivers services, boost the opposition's influence in the legislature and improve how Alberta relates to the rest of Canada. The Province

Unfortunately, while she says she wants to boost the opposition's influence in the legislature, in the same breath she takes another swipe at the Wildrose leader Danielle Smith. 

In her interview she says that a defining issue were the so called Dani Dollars.  In fact she said that while the polls may have shown that this was popular with the public, she had the pulse of the Province.  Really?  Personally, she had the pulse of the Alberta Teacher's Association and unions.  The robocalls by unions to voters demonizing the Wildrose party are a good indicator of that.  The author was a recipient of those.  In simple terms it could be called "Dirty Tricks."

"I want to really revitalize the legislative process. I want legislative committees to work the way that they should, and they should be all-party committees. They should be holding public hearings, and that's where we should be talking about policy."

The Wildrose, she said, inadvertently reinforced that theme by defending religious "conscience rights," a concept many Albertans perceived as thinly veiled discrimination against minorities. "They (Wildrose) still kept proposing it, qualifying and changing it - 'Oh, there'll be rules here, there'll be rules there' - but they didn't actually give up on the idea, and I was absolutely amazed by that."

The state of Alberta infrastructure

In the past 36 hours ten people have been killed on Alberta roads, seven on Highway 63, which links Fort McMurray to Edmonton.  Highway 63 has been in the forefront

A report on CTV Edmonton says that 7% of all fatalities on Alberta highways occurs on a stretch of Highway 63/28 between Redwater and Fort McMurray.

Police say seven per cent of fatalities on Alberta highways last year happened between Redwater and Fort McMurray.

High vehicle traffic on Highway 63 plays a major role. Eight years ago, about 2,000 vehicles used the road each day. Fast forward six years and that number has grown to about 3,400 vehicles per day.

Dangerous speeds is also a large factor. Driver Bryson Brown says he regularly sees drivers going faster than the 100 km/h speed limit.

"They pass me about 140, 150 easy," he says.

Const. Fossen says he caught drivers going even faster.

"I've had as high as up to 200 km/h on this stretch of highway," he said.

 Seldom a week goes by where there isn't a report of someone killed or seriously injured on that stretch of highway.  The Tories have been paying lip service to the issue but little has been done.  It has come down to excuses, which have been not enough traffic to substantiate the expenditure to difficult terrain to build a highway.  How much is a life worth? 


Highway 63 is but one example of misplaced priorities of the Tories.  Add to that a promised senior centre in Fort McMurray.  The centre was promised under Ed Stelmach, yet it never happened and it caused Guy Boutelier, the local PC to leave the party and eventually join the Wildrose Party.  The imposition of high voltage power lines, a failing health care system with long waiting lists are just a few other examples.

Range and Town ship roads in rural communities are unsafe and unfit for the 21st century and all of this in a province that is touted to be the richest in Canada.  Reliable internet service in rural Alberta is atrocious.  The list goes on and on..  You get my point.

Instead the Tories went after an expensive carbon capture experiment.  Millions were wasted in the project.  

If the Premier is going to implement change and shake things up, then it's time to get her head out of the sand and set some realistic priorities.  While urban communities may want hockey arenas and museums, all worthwhile projects, it is incumbent that the infrastructure in this province be prioritized. 

It seems obvious that if asked the companies benefiting from extracting oil from the oilsands would probably be prepared to fix Highway 63 in a partnership.   Has anyone approached them?

The Premier needs to set priorities that are important to Albertans, including those of rural Albertans.  While most of the votes are in the cities, rural Alberta still contributes to the Alberta economy and should not be ignored.  Contrary to popular belief, we're not backwood hillbillies rednecks.   The Premier should remember that.  We will pay close attention to her so-called shake up..

Alberta - Convenient Release of Mar Ethics Report

The Alberta government chose a Friday afternoon to release the results of the Ethics report on Gary Mar.  Even though the information was apparently available well ahead of the election on April 23rd. 

During the campaign it was reported that Mar had been reinstated to his position by Redford’s deputy minister, Peter Watson, well before the televised Leaders’ debate.  At the time, the PC campaign and Redford insisted they had seen nothing of the report despite the close connections with the Premier’s office.

Gary Mar, who faced Redford during the Progressive Conservative Party Leadership campaign an lost in the third ballot, was handpicked by Redford as the Alberta envoy to Asia in Hong Kong.  He was   investigated after auctioning off a trip to his Hong Kong government office at a personal fundraiser earlier this year organized to help him pay off PC leadership debts. The trip reportedly fetched $20,000.

Alison Redford suspended Mar without pay and ordered and ethics investigation.  She referred the investigation to the Deputy Minister of Executive Council, Peter Watson, who is responsible for administering the Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Public Service which applies to senior officials in the Government of Alberta.  He apparently hired an independent investigator and legal advice. 

When queried about the report, during the election campaign, Redford said she was not aware of any report.  Then just a few days after the election, on a Friday, the report is released, with the following findings:

• The wording of the invitation was changed when concerns were raised to make it clear that the dinner was a private affair
• Mr. Mar was not involved in the direct solicitation of funds from the dinner
• The funds raised from the dinner did not relate to the discharge of Mr. Mar's duties in public office;
• None of the funds raised from the dinner would be paid to Mr. Mar
• No information was conveyed to attendees that was not freely available to the public
• No special access was provided to or expected by the winner of a trip to Hong Kong auctioned at the dinner

The investigation found that there was no conflict of interest and Mar is returning to his duties in Hong Kong.

Obviously Alison Redford wanted to avoid any controversy and criticism during the election.  The Wildrose Party was quick to respond.  Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith commented on the report and said that the transaction involving Mr. Mar does not pass the smell test.

 “Regardless of the report, this transaction involving Mr. Mar doesn’t pass the smell test,” Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said. “Ms. Redford should force Mr. Mar to repay the $20,000 as a condition of remaining on the job.” Source Wildrose Party

Wildrose MLA Rob Anderson criticized Redford for fumbling the Mar file from the start by keeping the report behind closed doors and by handing out a patronage posting in the first place.

“Redford is building a reputation of wanting to keep the public in the dark, whether it’s her time as Justice Minister creating laws that shroud illegal donation investigations into secrecy, or punting important issues until after the election,” Anderson said.  “It’s time to hold an open and transparent competitive process for international offices instead of continuing on with the PC pattern of giving plum patronage postings to party officials.”

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, in all likelihood it's a duck. 

Last Word on the Alberta Election

The National Post published an article this morning, which analyzed the Alberta election outcome.  The article characterized a defeat for the Wildrose Party.  Gaining 16 seats over the last election and gaining 34% support can hardly be categorized as a defeat. 

Personally I would not characterize the Wildrose Party as having been defeated in the election, other than the expectations raised by faulty polls.  The Wildrose Party received 34% of the popular vote, which is 10% less than the PC Party.   Many of the ridings were extremely close elections.  The big losers were Alberta's Liberal Party and the New Democrats, which ended up in the Redford tent. 
At the end of the day, Redford has some promises to keep, which are well beyond the budget she passed prior to the election.  Having gained 16 seats in this election can easily be characterized as a win for the Wildrose Party.  The party, as the official opposition, can at the least keep Redford accountable, on fiscal responsibility, property rights, transmission lines and a myriad of smaller issues that should have been discussed during this election but were hi-jacked by conscience issues that were settled a couple of decades ago. 

Smith was right not to throw those candidates under the bus.  It may have cost her a few seats, but the principle of free speech was protected.  It should perhaps have been settled during the AGM, but unfortunately it wasn't.  Such is hindsight in politics. 

There is no doubt that Alison Redford ran a well oiled campaign, with the full force of the Alberta PC apparatus behind her.  Her success, however, will depend how she handles her promises.  Those have to result in reducing waiting lists, better care for seniors and an improving economy.  How she handles big oil and the environment will be another measure.  In any case, the people of Alberta have spoken and one can only hope that Alison Redford indeed changes the negative image of her PC party.  Continuing with the old arrogant ways will not help her.    

Election Day in Alberta - Will it Change the Political Landscape?

After twenty eight days on the campaign trail, Albertans head to the polls today.  The election is seen as a referendum on the leadership of Alison Redford, Progressive Conservative,  perceived by many as a bureaucrat and Danielle Smith of the Wildrose Party.

Redford was elected leader of the Progressive Conservatives, which have been in power for 41years, after Gary  Mar, a former PC cabinet minister, won the first two ballots, but did not reach the 50% threshold required.  Redford edged ahead on Mar, after the second choices of the third placed candidate were counted.

 After appointing Gary Mar as Alberta's envoy to Hong Kong, Redford ordered the probe and suspended Mar without pay when it was revealed that Mar had allegedly used his office to promote a fundraising event to pay off debts incurred running against Redford in last year's PC leadership race.

Redford had initially asked the Ethics Commissioner to lead the probe, however when he advised Redford that he didn't have the jurisdiction she assigned the case to Peter Watson, who works out of the Premier's office. 

The Rutherford show revealed that Gary Marhad been cleared of ethics violations and reinstated as Alberta's envoy to Hong Kong.  Rutherford quoted anonymous sources.  Alison Redford, who suspended Mar without pay said she had no knowledge of his reinstatement.

 "I didn't know it had been resolved until I heard that it was on Rutherford this morning.  We put in place that process because it is a public service circumstance. It's something that Peter Watson has been dealing with. I haven't been made aware of it so I have no comment on it."

During Redford's campaign there were allegations of doctor and school board intimidation, a refusal to hold a public inquiry on health care delivery and the famous "Do Nothing Committee".  The committee collected $1000 a month and never met for 39 months.  There is also the issue of high voltage transmission lines and property rights.  Let's not forget the Tory get away prior to passing resumption of the legislature.

Redford felt it was important to pass a budget prior to the 28 day election campaign, yet she didn't campaign on it, instead she has made millions in additional promises, without a plan to pay for them. 

While the Progressive Conservative Party in Alberta has been touted, by the national media as a centre of right party, this is no longer the case.  Under Redford the party has placed more emphasis on the "Progressive" label.

Redford says she wants to change the "character" of Alberta.  She has come across as one who knows what is best for Albertans.  PC Party Platform

Redfords main opponent, Danielle Smith, Wildrose Party has run a well organized campaign. The campaign rolled out its platform early, which was based on fiscal responsibility, a balanced budget,  a family pack, an Alberta Energy Dividend, a "Wait time Guarantee" and the Alberta Accountability Act.  Read More Here.

Smith also faced her share of controversies. She refused to criticize two Wildrose candidates after they made, what could be considered, racist and anti-gay comments.  She stated that she was both pro choice and pro gay marriage and that a Wildrose government would not legislate on conscience issues, since those issues were protected in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  Nonetheless the fear mongering continued. Yet Redford has MLAs with similar views.

She attracted more criticism in the last week of the campaign for stating that the scientific debate over climate change still hadn't been settled.  She did however state that this was not a reason not to act on climate change.  That part was lost on the national media. 

The Liberal leader Raj Sherman and NDP leader Brian Mason have run a robust campaign.  Both parties say that neither the PC or Wildrose Party can be trusted.  Raj Sherman made a last effort Robocall last night, bashing both leading parties, stating that he would fix health care and "Alberta I have your back."  There has been some talk on strategic voting.  It is not clear how that would play out overall.

What is clear that there will be much larger voter turn-out than in the last election, where only 40% of voters turned out.  For 41 years the Tory Party ruled Alberta and in today's election there is a viable contender. 

Be sure to vote today.  For information on polls across Alberta check out the Elections Alberta Webiste.


PARTY PLATFORMS

Wildrose Eyes Majority


Even if the party were to take 30 seats in rural and small-city Alberta – a conservative estimate – they’d need to win only 14 seats in Calgary and Edmonton to take the province, Mr. Taras said.
Edmonton, which has traditionally been a hotbed of progressive support, is also facing several four-and even fiveway races, making it highly unpredictable.
In Calgary, however, Wildrose is polling well ahead of the Tories.
The Tories, on the other hand, must hold Calgary if they are to prevent a majority Wildrose government.
“Calgary is the place you gotta win, and that’s the difference,” he said.
However, some polling data suggest even Ms. Redford’s affluent downtown seat in Calgary-Elbow may not be safe.
“She’s in the crosshairs,” Mr. Taras said.
Ms. Redford denied her constituency was so divided, saying she had good support from the community.  National Post

Alberta Election - The Last Word - Wildrose set for Sweeping Majority - Poll

Despite the influx of the national media, in an attempt to change the outcome of the Alberta election, Albertans seem to have thumbed their nose at progressives in Toronto and Ottawa.  Danielle Smith and her Wildrose Party are set for a sweeping majority on Monday, according to a Forum Project Inc poll conducted late Saturday. The results of this latest poll confirm the findings of a Sun News poll published on Friday. 

The poll, which shows the Wildrose Party with 41%  over Alison Redford's Progressive Conservatives with 32%, while the NDP has 13% and the Liberals at 10%.  The NDP and Liberals are strongest in Edmonton, where they are at 23% and 14% respectively.

The Forum Project Inc poll was conducted with a total of 2010 responses gathered Saturday evening by automated phone response.  

The polling firm president Lorne Bozinoff said that the win is enough for Wildrose to capture 62 of the province's 87 seats.

“We expect to welcome a new majority government to the provincial scene on Monday night,”

Alison Redford's approach was that she wanted to change the character of Alberta.  Most Albertans think that the province's character is just fine.  In addition to this there have been attempts to fear monger against the Wildrose Party, almost to the point that it was described as scary and intolerant.  Yet Redford had enough problems in her own party.

 Despite passing a provincial budget prior to the election, Redford has made all kinds of additional promises and the list keeps piling on.  The question is how it would all get paid for.  Excessive spending has consequences.  One only need to look south of the border to the U.S. with its $16 Trillion and growing deficit.  Sooner or later the chickens come home to roost. 

Alberta is headed for change.  A change that returns the province to fiscal responsibility, property rights and free speech.   A change that will be refreshing.

Alberta Election - On the Campaign Trail April 16th

With an additional unprecedented $7 Billion in promises, Wildrose leader Danielle Smith has asked Alison Redford's Progressive Conservatives to come clean on how this would be paid for.  Redford was in a rush to pass a budget prior to dropping the writ. 

While Allan Hunspergers remarks, made in the capacity of a Fundamentalist church pastor are still being kept alive by Redford, the media and he LBGT community, Danielle Smith has stayed on message with the Wildrose platform.  Redford was apparently shocked by the remarks, even though she has a candidate, Ted Morton, in her party with similar radical views.  Smith has made her stance on conscience issue very clear by stating that a Wildrose government would not legislate on conscience issues.  Allan Hunsperger also committed to supporting the party platform in a brief statement yesterday.

"I love people and everybody, I have no intolerance about anyone, but I do have a personal religious view.  My views were my personal religious views.  I also agree with the leader, and Danielle Smith says the Wildrose will not be legislating on contentious social issues."

Danielle Smith, once again reiterated her commitment not to legislate conscience issues.

 "I believe in freedom of religion, and I do believe that religious people do have an opportunity, and should run for public office.  What they believe in their own religious private practice is none of my business," Smith stated. "As a political leader the separation of church and state is there for a reason. We do not want the state interfering in the private religious affairs of our citizens."

Smith previously stated that she was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is well entrenched and he Supreme Court of Canada has ruled on issues like abortion and gay rights.  Time to give the fearmongering a rest. 

Redford came under fire yesterday for comments she apparently made at a private fundraiser.  According to a fundraiser attendee, Redford said that she was still dealing with negative impacts from Klein’s cost-cutting during his reign from 1992-2006.  Klein is suffering from dementia and obviously can't defend himself.  Klein imposed some difficult budget cuts, balanced the budget and ensured that Alberta was debt free, something strange to the PC party now. 

As Redford often does, she reacted.  The comments and criticism caused her to issue a press release.

“There have been questions raised about my commitment to Premier Klein and his legacy. I think it is important to remember, I have been a loyal PC member for the past 32 years, including Premier Klein’s tenure.”

A long time friend of Ralph Klein, with no association to the Wildrose party, criticized Redford's remarks.

 “Leave Ralph Klein alone.  When it comes to Ralph, I am non-partisan. Just leave him alone. This is a man who can’t speak for himself.”

Danielle Smith came under fire for comments she made questioning climate change and said her party would scrap a Progressive Conservative plan to capture greenhouse gases.  She said she would scrap the Progressive Conservative plan to capture greenhouse gases.  She said that she was not denying climate change, but didn't believe in footing a $2 Billion bill on something that is not totally understood.

"We've always acknowledged that our world is in a long-term transition away from carbon fuels.  In the meantime, we want to provide supports to consumers to be able to find energy efficiencies so than can reduce the amount of energy, and amount of emissions." 

Smith said that her government would offer tax rebates to Albertans who made their homes more energy efficient. 

This is without a doubt the most exciting election campaign in Alberta in four decades.  A poll released yesterday has the Wildrose leading with 43%, the PCs at 39%, with Liberals and NDP at 11 and 9% respectively.   The election is on Monday, April 23rd

Alberta Election - The Week in Review

As the Alberta election campaign moves into the final week, it appears that this election will be Danielle Smith's to lose.  With only one week in the campaign left to go, the Wildrose Party has a healthy lead over the incumbent Progressive Conservative Party.  In some polls the Wildrose Party leads by 17 percentage points. 

While the parties rolled out their platforms, the debate, held on April 12th, seemed to be a defining factor.  While Alison Redford appeared stiff and almost rattled near the end of the debate, Danielle Smith seemed to connect with voters, with her no nonsense approach to many issues.  The attempts to demonize her because of conscience issues and lack of experience did not resonate. 

Here is a review of issues discussed thus far in the campaign:

Wildrose Announces Accountabilty Act and MLA Pay  April 9th

Race is Tightening - Leger Poll April 10th

Are Conscience Issues Bogus? April 11th

Liberals Reveal Carbon Levy Plan April 11th

Wildrose Leader Stance on Abortion-Gay Rights April 12th

Alberta Leader's Debate - No Clear Winner April 13th

Voters Declare Danielle Smith Debate Winner

 On  the campaign trail on Friday, Alsion Redford promised to introduce legislation that would make Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a claimable condition under the Workmen's Compensation Board.  The problem is that this condition is already claimable, according to Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.  Sometimes it pays to do your homework before putting your mouth in motion.  

Danielle Smith also committed to call a full public inquiry into physician intimidation, a measure supported by the New Democrats and Liberals.   

As the campaign winds down toward the election on April 23rd, there should still be a number of surprises.  Alison Redford will have to go full out to try and overcome the impression Albertans have of her.  She comes across as a bureaucrat, who knows best and gives the impression that she leads by committee.   

The Progressive Conservative Party is no longer the party of Ralph Klein, in fact it has almost made a 360 degree turn.  Support in Edmonton is divided evenly between Redford and Smith, while the majority support Danielle Smith in Calgary.  Smith appears to lead in rural Alberta as well.  

Stay tuned.

 

Alberta Leader's Debate - No Clear Winner

Alberta's Leaders appeared in a 90 minute media moderated debate last night.  Although there was no clear winner, Progressive Conservative leader Alison Redford, who appeared confident at the beginning of the debate, appeared rattled during the final segment.  41 years of Tory rule had taken their toll.  Redford, who found it necessary to pass a budget prior to dropping the writ, did not run on her budget, but had introduced an additional $1 Billion of spending in her election platform.  Brian Mason's New Democrats had introduced a platform that is costed at $1.9 Billion, Raj Sherman's Liberals platform at $820 Million, while Danielle Smith's platform is estimated to cost $308 Million. The figures have been provided by the Canadian Taxpayer Association Party Platform Spending .

With this background, the leaders fast questions and challenged each other.  While the debate was seen to be a contest between Alison Redford and Danielle Smith, Redford soon came under fire by Liberal leader Raj Sherman and the NDPs Brian Mason.  The format consisted of an opening statement by each leader of 45 seconds.  Questions were limited to 20 seconds with answer at 45 seconds, with a 30 second response, followed by an open debate.  The debate concluded with 45 second closing statement.  For the  most part leaders were polite, withe the odd dig.  Overall there was no knock out punch that would give any leader a clear win.

This was good news for Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith, since Redford spend most of the night on the defensive, dealing with the "Do Nothing Committtee", physician intimidation, approving a controversial transmission line,  voting for a 30% pay raise for herself.

Smith put in a strong performance, deflecting criticism on conscience issues and citizen intiatives.  When pressed on social issues like abortion and same sex marriage, Smith said that her party would not legislate or have policies on contentious social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

"It's nothing but fear-mongering by a government that's on the run," she said.

These issues have been settled decades ago and for any party to raise them is bogus.  Not only are those rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

There was little discussion on policy issues, although Health Care received some air time.  Brian Mason, NDP Leader accused both Conservative parties of wanting to privatize health care.  There was no discussion on the environment, the oilsands and specifically the construction of both the Northern Gateway and XL Keystone pipeline.

Raj Sherman at one point made a statement to Danielle Smith, which was odd.  "Danielle Alberta is not Alabama."  Thanks Raj, but we already knew,

Overall there was no clear winner of the debate, but Redford was unable to convince voters that she should continue as leader. In the end the debate probably helped Danielle Smith.  The knives should come out for the next ten days.

Alberta Election: Wildrose Leader Stance on Abortion-Gay Rights

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith felt compelled to snuff out a controversy, which questioned her position on "Conscience Issues."   While recent polls indicate that the Wildrose Party may have lost some ground because of the controversy, overall the party still holds a healthy lead over the Progressive Conservatives, while Wildrose leader Danielle Smith's approval rating has slipped slightly.

On Wednesday Smith said when her party elected a leader it was clear to them that they elected a pro-choice, pro-gay marriage candidate.

 "When our members elected me they knew they were electing a candidate that was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage.  The only way we're going to be able to become a mainstream, big-tent conservative party capable of forming government is to focus on the issues that matter to Albertans. If I am elected premier, a Wildrose government will not be legislating in areas of morality."

While this issue was infused by a Calgary blogger, it was quickly taken up by Progressive Conservative leader Alison Redford.  It reminded this blogger of U.S. politics "deja vous," where Rick Santorum got sucked into social issues, such as abortion and contraception.  It effectively changed the focus of his campaign.

In Canada, the issue of gay rights has already been handled by the Supreme Court, including gay marriage and abortion.   Smith also affirmed that the promised citizen initiatives would have to stand the test of being constitutional and in accordance with Canada's Charter of Rights.

While this should put the matter to rest, Smith is doubtful that it will.  She believes that it was pushed by the Progressive Conservatives to divert the discussion from the real issues.

 "I think what you see normally when a conservative challenger comes up, you see this very commonly that these kinds of issues are brought up to fearmonger.  We saw it with Preston Manning, with Stockwell Day, we saw it with Stephen Harper so it actually doesn't surprise me that it has come up this election but it does disappoint me."

The Progressive Conservatives have recently framed the Wildrose Party as the party of old, white guys determined to resurrect regressive social policies.  The Progressive Conservative campaign manager, Susan Elliot, has suggested that the target of the citizen-initiatives would be women.

"Ethnic minorities are targets. Gays and lesbians are targets. We're the targets of those kinds of things."

Despite those suggestions, the Wildrose Party continues to lead in the polls.  A CTVHQ poll, published yesterday, finds that 43% of decided voters favour the Wildrose Party, followed by Progressive Conservatives at 29%, the NDP at 12% and Liberals at 11%.  

In the meantime, Progressive Conservative Leader, Alison Redford's approval rating has dropped from 59% to 46% last week.   Danielle Smith, who had an approval rating of 56% has slipped slightly to 54%, which could be within the margin of error. 

50% of Albetans believe that the Progressive Conservatives do not deserve re-election, while 23% say they should be re-elected.  27% are unsure.

Tonight at 6:30 pm the Alberta Leader's Debate will be broadcast throughout the province by a media consortium.  While debates in Alberta normally haven't received a lot of attention, this debate will be pivotal.   It may be the turning point for those still undecided.  The focus will undoubtedly be on the two women that lead the Wildrose and Progressive Conservative Party.    Smith will most certainly go after the PCs wreckless spending.  If the debate remains stays on the issues that matter, it could be an interesting exchange.

Party Platforms

Alberta Election - Liberals Reveal Carbon Levy Plan

 A federal carbon tax or cap and trade system has been rejected by Albertans in the past.  In that context the Alberta government imposed a carbon tax forcing companies that emit more than 100,00 tons of greenhouse gases annually to either reduce CO2 emissions per barrel by 12%, pay $15 per tonne into a technology fund or buy an offset against total emissions.  The money remains in Alberta.  With that background, Raj Sherman, Leader of the Alberta Liberal Party, has revealed a plan, which he says, which would generate $1.8 Billion for research and green transportation initiatives.  The plan would be based on actual emissions.

"This announcement is a visionary announcement to green our economy (and) help improve Alberta's reputation with respect to carbon. Half of the money goes back to industry, to retool industry, to make sure they deal with their carbon issues, and half of it goes to green transportation for Alberta municipalities. What does that mean for Edmonton and Calgary? Three hundred mil-lion dollars a year that they can use for LRT or green transportation," said the Liberal leader.

The Alberta Oilsands have been the target of environmental activists and Raj Sherman's proposal is hoped to address this with making the oilsands more acceptable.  In some circles there is the belief that a carbon levy only enables emitters to sell off their emissions, accomplishing absolutely nothing when it comes to carbon reduction.

Sherman's vision sees a third of the levy proceeds to go to Edmonton and Calgary, while the remainder would go back to the industry to invest in green technology cleanup.  

While the emphasis should be on reducing carbon emissions, the allocation of the proceeds does little for rural Albertans, of which many still use unsafe gravel country roads.  Since this levy will be collected for all Albertans, some of that money should also be allocated to municipalities other than the two largest cities in the Province.  Perhaps a priority could be established to improve country roads and also to improve wireless service to rural communities.  

While the cities have necessarily the largest voice and of course votes, there are still over half a million rural Albertans.   It would be incumbent on any government to spread the wealth throughout the province and provide some infrastructure improvements.

We live in a Province that has a tremendous amount of wealth and resources, yet rural communities are often neglected.  Many rural Albertans have no rural mail delivery and by necessity use poor roads, often unsafe, to get their groceries, mail, healthcare and travel to work.  Perhaps it is time for those in the legislature to pay some attention to rural Albertans. 

Back to the carbon levy.   It is unlikely that any conservative voters would be swayed by this announcement, nor will it sway those voting for the New Democrats to move into the Liberal party camp.   

Also on the campaign trail on Tuesday were New Democratic Party Leader Brian Mason and Progressive Conservative Party Leader Alison Redford.  Mason talked to medical professionals and students at Concordia University, promising that his party would create a sustainable future for students.  Redford made more promises, focusing on advanced education.  She promised $650 Million that would enhance post-secondary facilities over three years, with a $650 million capital project.  $170 Million would be allocated to Norquest College, while $200 Million would go to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to replace aging buildings in the business and health departments. 

Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith took a day off from the elections campaign.

Expect more promises as Alberta moves closer to the April 23rd election. 

 

 

Alberta Election: Are Conscience Issues Bogus?

With the Alberta election less than two weeks away, the initial momentum enjoyed by the Wildrose party seems to be shifting, with latest polls indicating a neck on neck race.  While the Wildrose Party campaigned primarily on fiscal issues, the question of conscience entered the race after a question raised by  a Calgary blogger, Jane Cawthorne, on each parties position on abortion.  The Wildrose response:

“The legalities of abortion fall under federal jurisdiction. We respect that Albertans view social issues differently, which is why Wildrose would immediately introduce legislation allowing citizens to put issues like abortion to a citizen-initiated referendum.”

Although there was an immediate clarification by Danielle Smith on the issue, the question and responses appear to have raised doubt in the minds of the electorate. 

 “Citizen initiative is and has always been an important part of the Wildrose platform.  However, any initiative must first be vetted by a federally-appointed judge to determine whether or not it is constitutional.”

Alison Reford is using the Wildrose conscience policy as a wedge issue and it appears to be working.


“I was absolutely amazed we were having this conversation in Alberta because I believe that all Albertans want to live in a place where we respect each other, where we feel safe,”

Is the issue of conscience right bogus?  You bet it is.  First of all the rights of marriage commissioners and doctors is already enshrined.  Abortions, which are mostly performed in larger centres like Edmonton and Calgary, have doctors that don't object to these procedures.  Marriage Commissioners are not in the employ of the Alberta government and get paid by the clients who hire them to perform their marriages.

" For practical purposes, the issue doesn’t actually mean much. Health care providers already have conscience clauses codified in their own standards of practice. Both the Alberta College of Pharmacists, and the College of Physicians and Services allow practitioners to opt-out of procedures or services that they find personally problematic. However, health care workers must then refer patients to other facilities."  National Post

Despite the fact that marriage commissioners can already opt out of performing marriage for same sex couples, there have been no complaints in the Province from couples about commissioners who are unwilling to marry them. 

The issue, IMHO, has been fabricated, strays from the real issues of property rights, civil liberties, fiscal irresponsibility and general arrogance of Tories, who seem to think they have an entitlement to govern.  Instead of discussing the overspending culture of Progressive Conservatives, it appears that fear mongering is right out the playbook of Liberals in Central Canada and Obama Administration in the U.S. 

Perhaps Albertans should be afraid of Alison Redford, who is a big "Progressive" and very little "conservative."  Let's just remember that both the Liberal Party and New Democratic Parties of Alberta are not a home for someone with political ambition in Alberta.  The Progressive Conservative Party has become the home of ambitious Liberals.  

The past two weeks have been full of promises and more spending, despite the rush to passing a budget prior to the election.  Voters should take a look at the various party platforms and make up their minds.  Don't let bogus issues determine how you vote.  

Check out the Party Platforms

Thursday, April 12th, will be the Leader's Debate, broadcast from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.  Get engaged and watch it.  After the debate there are eleven more days to pose direct questions to the leaders.  First and foremost get out and vote. 

Alberta Conservatives - Reinventing Themselves Working - Poll

According to a poll conducted by Forum Research, which conducted the poll for the National Post, it  said it reflects the “new Tory look” in Alberta, after a bumpy few years in which former PC premier Ed Stelmach.  The Progressive Conservative Party in Alberta has been reinventing themselves for 41 years it has been in power in Alberta.  The poll suggests that the new Conservative look has resonated, especially with women in Alberta. 

The closest contender to Alison Redford's Conservatives is the right of center Wildrose Party, led by Danielle Smith.  The poll suggests that there is 38% support for the Progressive Conservatives as opposed to 23% for the Wildrose Alliance. 

Redford was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in a similar situation as former Premier Ed Stelmach, with a system that is seen as highly flawed.  While Gary Mar received above 40% in the first and second poll to Redford's 13% and slightly more in the second poll, she accumulated the required 50% after second choices were added to her balance sheet. 

Candidates can sell memberships and by all accounts Redford sold many of them to the Alberta Teachers Union, based on her promise of reinstating $100 Million of cuts made to education, a promise she kept after being re-elected. 

Her first 45 days were controversial to say the least, but apparently it didn't distract Albertans.  With her new following, probably those who voted Liberal before, she has build on her popularity base.

There is a big gender gap, according to the poll.  Support among women is is especially strong among women, with 42% compared to 33% among men.  Wildrose support is stronger among ment with 28% compared to 18% among men. As has been common in Alberta in the past, New Democrats and Liberals are distant challengers with 12% and 13% respectively.   Most of the support for the NDP and Liberals is concentrated in Edmonton, with minimum support in the rest of the Province.

There is also an age demographic.  Danielle Smith's Wildrose Alliance support grows to 34% among those 55 and older, while there is only 16% support in the 18-34 age group range.


Regardless of the results, there is room for movement.  While Redford's support at 38% is higher than her 29% disapproval rating, there are 33% of respondents that had no opinion.  Danielle Smith's approval rating is 35% with 41% among men and 30% among women.

The Alberta Legislature passed a controversial Drunk Driving bill prior to the Christmas break, which gives new powers to peace officers with a .05 alcohol limit.  Opponents of the bill said that the bill required more study and gave too much power to police officers on the roadside.  A similar bill has been ruled unconstitutional in British Columbia.  54% of respondents approved of the measure.

The poll, conducted on Dec. 14, 2011, of 1072 adult Albertans via an automated interactive telephone survey is considered accurate to within 2.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Regardless of the poll results, Cabinet members and conservative MLAs have been abandoning ship in droves prior to the next election, which is scheduled in early 2012.   Redford has put her stamp on the Conservative Party and the direction is not necessarily one Albertans want to go in.  It is up to the Danielle Smith and her Wildrose Alliance to differentiate from Allison Redford's Progressive Conservatives, where Progressive seems to be the operative word. 

Health Care, the economy (as it pertains to the Alberta Oil Sands) continue to be high on the priorities of Albertans.  While Redford supports the expansion of the Alberta Oil Sands, she has also called for a National Energy Strategy.  Let's hope that this is not a disguise for the National Energy Program introduced by Pierre Trudeau.

Redford is a lawyer with deep experience working for the UN, including in Afghanistan and Africa.

The Secretary General of the United Nations Boutros Boutros-Ghali appointed and assigned Alison Redford to a post in the United Nations as a special legal adviser.
Throughout the 1990s, Redford worked as a technical advisor on constitutional and legal reform issues in various parts of Africa for the European Union, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Canadian Government and the Government of Australia. Her work in Africa focused on human rights litigation, developing education programs and policy reform with respect to gender issues.
In 1999, Redford was employed by the Government of Alberta as the communications officer on the committee for Justice Reform. The criminal Justice Reform Committee advised a program of reform in which the criminalization of mental health issues and the ongoing plea bargaining system was criticized by such organizations as the Elizabeth Fry Society, a national body representing women. convicted of crimes. Checks and balances within the Crown Prosecutors office were removed permitting each of the prosecutors to act independently and according to their own view. Several programs of advocacy were removed or absorbed into the Alberta Justice programs.
One of Redford's most notable appointments was by the Secretary-General of the United Nations as one of the four International Election Commissioners to administer Afghanistan's first parliamentary elections held in September 2005  Wikepedia