Northern Gateway Pipeline: B.C. Coast and Communities not for Sale

Native groups, environmentalists and a number of local politicians have combined to say that the British Columbia (B.C.) coast and communities are not for sale.
The announcement came shortly after B.C.s premier Christie Clark announced five condidtions that have to be met should B.C. consider approval of the Northern Gateway project. The pipeline would transport Alberta crude from Hardesty, Alberta to Kitimat, B.C.
Clark's demands are an attempt to put a value on the inherent risks undertaken by B.C., which would have the pipeline cross the province up to the west coast and then the inherent risk of tanker traffic on the environmentally sensitive west coast. Clark has not indicated what that fair share would be. Full Story allvoices.com

Alberta Town is Burning - One Year Later

One year ago, the small Alberta town of Slave Lake, was overcome by a devastating fire.   Twelve months later, although there has been a lot of construction activity, many are still living in temporary trailers, but the town is making progress. 

The town will hold a special ceremony this morning marking the anniversary.  The whole community has been invited to attend.  The Premier of Alberta, Alison Redford will be in attendance.  

Ironically its wildfire season again, conditions have been extremely dry, and the Province of Alberta has imposed a province wide fire ban. 

More than 400 homes were destroyed a year ago.  People were forced to live in temporary shelters or campgrounds.  Athabasca opened a community center to temporarily house people and even the University Alberta made student accommodation available.  The community came together and did what it had to to support its neighbors.

The rebuilding process has started, but of course its slow.  Before anyone could be permitted back into the town, the rubble had to be removed, services restored and of the sites had to be safe. 

Some rebuild homes are close to completion.  There is a new community centere and the town hall is expected to be ready for occupancy by next summer.  It's a slow process, but the town's attitude is positive and the community is determined to get back on its feet.  What seemed to be an impossible task, is a sense of pride by the town administration.  Many people have moved into new homes and over 200 development permits have been issued and is growing weekly.

"It's impressive, all the new houses," says Brian Vance, chief administrative officer for Slave Lake. "Of course, last June the challenge was overwhelming and a lot of experts were saying we wouldn't be able to start until this spring.
"Certainly there was a sense of confusion and hopelessness. People just didn't know where to start. But I think over the year (that) people, in many cases, had a chance to stop dwelling so much on the loss and start more so on the recovery."  Edmonton Journal

The mayor of Slave Lake, Karina Pillay-Kinnee says that the day will be bitter sweet for many residents. 

"I think it's important to acknowledge the day and to recognize how far we've come, and the help we've received, but it is definitely a day of mixed emotions, I'd say."

One can only be proud of the accomplishments of the community.  The human spirit is well and alive.  While much still needs to be done, the people of Slave Lake have come a long way.

Below is my account of last year's fire:


Alberta Town is Burning

 Slave Lake, a community of about 7000 people is dealing with the devastation of wildfires tonight. The town's website, earlier tonight read, “Fire has breached the Town of Slave Lake Boundary along the southern portion, Please move toward large green areas, beaches or large parking lots like Walmart, Canadian Tire, or the Sawridge Mall Parking Lot.”

With 200 firefighters and 100 pieces of equipment on scene, firefighters attempted to set up firebreaks around the town overnight. The fire took up an area of about 1000 heactares. On Saturday a second fire broke out and continued to burn east of town.


At least 10 buildings and several vehicles burned east of town. Premier Ed Stelmach said on Twitter that he was watching the situation closely, while Sustainable Resources and Development Minister Mel Knight spend part of today in Slave Lake.

According to a tweet from CTV Edmonton, main street in Slave Lake is on fire and the town hall is ablaze. CTVs Sean Amato has reported that Slave Lake Hospital has been evacuated but is not on fire.


It goes without saying that people in the town were frightened and there was havoc on local highways as people tried to escape. The Walmart Parking lot was acting as a makeshift refugee camp.


As of 10:45 pm MST Sean Amato of CTV reported that almost the complete SE portion of town has been engulfed by flames. The hospital has been evacuated and the town hall and the mall are engulfed by flames. About 30% of the town has been consumed by flames, including the northern portion of town. People don't believe that this town will be standing by morning.


The Red Cross has pleaded for donations for the people of Slave Lake. Donations can be made 1-800-418-111 or the Red Cross Website www.redcross.ca.


A full evacuation of the town of Slave Lake has been ordered, including media. Those concerned about loved ones can call the Red Cross at 1-780-523-3388.
The Multiplex in Athabasca has set up a blanket drop of centre.


Slave Lake is approximately 250 km (150 miles) north of Edmonton, Alberta.


You can follow the news of the fire on twitter under Trends Canada Slave Lake.


Alberta Sustainable Resources and Development reports that some 1000 fire fighters are on the ground this morning, along with 100 helicopters. Whether or not the town can be rebuild is not known at this time. A spokekesperson for the Alberta government said that they will do everything possible to save what.s possible. 200 additional fire fighters are expected to come from British Columbia and Ontario to assists with the fire fighting. Three Evacuation Centres have been set up in Athabasca, Westlock and Edmonton. No injuries have been reported.
Update as of 6 p.m MST:
The Premier of Alberta, Ed Stelmach toured the town of Slave Lake on Monday May 16th. He said he had never seen anything like this in his life. One of the priorities will to restore water, which means that valves have to be turned off to those homes destroyed to ensure only homes intact are supplied with water. Before that the safety of the water supply must be ensured.


Water tankers were able to take to the air again today and the Premier said that we could all sleep tonight. When he toured the area he said that the hospital was intact, as was the Seniors Centre. He also talked to Prime Minister Harper earlier today and assured residents of Slave Lake that they would not be forgotten. Some 10,000 people have been evacuated to nearby towns with major shelters in Athabasca, Westlock and Edmonton. The communities have come together and the Province has send all available resources to help with fighting the fire.


The Premier stated that although emergency responses are exercised, you never think that you will need them.


The Slave Lake fire is one of 36 wildfires in the Province, making this one of the worst fire seasons ever.


Alberta Government Wildfire Update In Slave Lake area

HIghway 63 Twinning Should be a Priority

The fatal crash on Alberta deadliest highway that connects the Oilsand community of Fort McMurray with Edmonton has brought the twinning issue front and centre again.  About 7% of all traffic fatalities in Alberta occur on the highway between Redwater and Fort McMurray.

The 240 km stretch of  road, ,which is for the most part a two lane highway, is filled with cars, pick up trucks, semi-trailers and trucks carrying oversize equipment from Edmonton to the booming Alberta Oil Sands town.   Yet it appears that the Alberta government has not made the road a priority in infrastructure spending.

The excuses should stop and the job should get done and soon.   The Highway was an issue and was touted by the Wildrose Party as a priority.

"It's a No. 1 priority. It's critical. How many more lives must be lost before we widen that highway?" said Wildrose candidate and former mayor of Fort McMurray, Doug Faulkner.    "It's impossible to guarantee that if you are driving from Fort McMurray to Edmonton that you will not meet a very dangerous situation. People going too fast, pulling out to try to pass, not enough passing lanes. We need it done."


Without rekindling the election campaign, but one has to ask how many more people have to die.

A facebook group has been organized PLEASE TWIN HIGHWAY 63 and has more than 13,000 members in just two days.  If you agree that the Highway should be made a priority and should be twinned take some time to visit and leave a comment for Premier Alison Redford.

There is also a petition Twin Highway 63.  Please take the time to sign it. 

Redford has taken some time away after the election and said that she would respond when she gets back next week. 

There should be no more excuses.  The community that has become the engine of the Canadian economy deserves to get something in return.  There should be cooperation between the operators at Fort McMurray, the Provincial and Federal government.  Let's get past the bureaucracy and get this job done.

Canadian Politics This Week

This week has been full of events in Canadian politics and Parliament has taken another turn when it comes to good behaviour.   Highlights this week were the election in Alberta, the student protests in Quebec and the raising of the "abortion" issue in a private members bill in the House of Commons.  There was also the apparent request by the U.S. for Australia and Canada to leave a small number of troops in Afghanistan post 2014.  A new poll suggests that the Conservative Party is in a statistical tie with the Official Opposition "New Democratic Party."

Alberta led the growth in the Canadian economy, which expanded 2.6% in 2011, well behind the 3.4% expansion in 2010.  Alberta and Saskatchewan were well ahead of the remainder of Canada with an expansion of 5.2% and 4.8% respectively.  In contrast Ontario and Quebec expanded 2.0% and 1.7%.  The economies in P.E.I, N.B. and N.S. are all but at a standstill ranging from 1.1 to .01%, while Newfoundland is above the national average at 2.9%.  Manitoba at 1.1% growth is the only Western Province below the national average.  The Yukon and Nunavut far exceeded the national average, while the economy of the North West Territories contracted by 5.5%.

Turning to the Alberta elections, Monday nights results were a major misreading of the polling organizations.  Pollsters had predicted a Wildrose sweep, yet when it was all said and done, Alison Redford's Progressive Conservative Party had an overwhelming majority, capturing 61 of 87 seats in the Alberta Legislature.  The big loser is the Alberta Liberal Party, which went from 26% of the popular vote in 2008 to just 10% in Monday's election.  While the Wildrose Party did not meet the expectations of the polls, it nonetheless gained 16 seats over 2008 and now forms the official opposition.  Many analysts believe that the election turned into Redford's favour during the last three days of the campaign.  The politics of fear worked and many Liberals joined the Redford camp, especially the unions and teachers. 

Alison Redford has a job on her hands to keep her promises, improve the ailing health care system and stamp out corruption and intimidation in her party.  The Wildrose Party will, no doubt, hold her and the Progressive Conservatives to account.  It should make for an interesting four years in the Alberta Legislature.

In Ontario, the Liberal government is one seat short of a majority and after the Progressive Conservative leader rejected the proposed the budget outright, Premier Dalton McGuinty made concessions to the New Democrats to pass his budget, another deficit budget, which resulted in Ontario's credit rating being downgraded. 

The fortunes seem to be turning in the favour of the Ontario Liberals though, since Tory MPP Elizabeth Witmer resigned on Friday, triggering a byelection.  Witmer is the MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo.  In last October's vote, Witmer had 21,356 votes while Liberal candidate Eric Davis finished second with 17,837 votes.  That riding is now up for grabs in a byelection that must be called within six months. 

Then there was the issued of student protests and violence in Montreal over tuition fees.  Even with the newly proposed increases by the Charest government, Quebec students pay the lowest tuition fees anywhere in Canada.  In Alberta for full time tuition the cost is double compared to Quebec students.  If Quebec students ever had the sympathy of the public, it is unlikely that anyone is on their side after the violence and destruction caused by their protests.  Every day they strike costs the taxpayer additional fund to pay for police forces.  Go figure.

On the national scene a private members motion once again ignited the fire between pro-life and pro-choice forces.  The motion called for a committee to be formed to examine when life starts.  While the bill will go nowhere, it again raised doubts as to the Prime Minister's secret agenda.  The Prime Minister already indicated he would vote against the motion.  In likelihood most of his caucus will as well.  The Liberals will allow a free vote on the issue, while the NDP has instructed its MPs to vote against the motion.  One has to shake his head and wonder why this issue has to be raised yet again.  These issues have been settled decades ago.

As it became know this week that there may be a request by the U.S. for Canada to leave some troops in Afghanistan past 2014, the debate was once again ignited.  The NDP is absolutely against any troops remaining in Afghanistan, while the government indicated they would consider it.

"As we approach that date, we will examine all options and we will take the decision that is in the best interest of this country and in the best interest of our security objectives for the globe," PM Harper said. 

When Mulcair asked the prime minister about the extension, Harper attacked the NDP for being pacifists regardless of the situation. "In 1939, the NDP leader didn’t even want to support the fight against Hitler," said Harper. Of course the PM was referring to the CCF, the predecessor of the NDP.  This created a lot of chatter in the twitter sphere, with Canadians offering history lessons to the PM. 

All in all it has been a busy week in Canada, with the election campaign heating up in British Columbia, the Question Period comedy hour, student violence and demonstrations in Quebec and the Alberta election.  

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

Alison Redford's First 45 days in Office

Alison Redford was elected by the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta on October 1st and sworn in as Premier of Alberta the following Friday.  During the first ballot she came a distant third, which required a run-off election.  Gary Marr, who was the winner with 41% of the vote on the first ballot, also came first of three prospective candidates during the run off, gaining around 40% support.  Since none of the three candidates had a clear 50% majority, second choice votes were used to determine the final count.  Redford won fair and square by party rules.  IMHO this should have gone to a third ballot with the third place candidate dropping off.  In all likelihood the results would have been different.

Alison Redford really doesn't have a mandate from the electorate to make some of the the decisions she has made during the past 45 days.  She should present her platform and call a general election.  Let Albertans decide if they want to support that platform.

As soon as she got into office, Redford restored $100 Million to education, without making any adjustments to her budget.  Although she promised to do this within ten days, diligence should have been used to ensure that all other aspects are covered.   It is no surprise that whenever cuts are announced bureaucracies have difficulty in cutting in their own backyard.  Cuts are almost always carried on the backs of teachers.  At the very least the PC government should have conducted a study to see where the education funding is being spend.

Redford's second move was the approval of Bill 50, the portion that approved the Heartland Transmission  Project to the East of Sherwood Park, near Edmonton.  This action was taken despite the fact that a closer examination of the requirement for the transmission lines were needed.

The Alberta Uitilities Commission(AUC) states in its decision that the Alberta Government has taken away the Commission’s legal ability to deal with the costs of the line and whether Bill 50 lines are even needed.  The AUC emphasized in its decision that Cabinet now makes those decisions and Bill 50 prevents the Commission from turning down any Bill 50 line on the grounds that it is not needed or that it is not in the public interest.  

Strathcona County Mayor Linda Osinchuk has been speaking out regarding the transmission line and has send a letter to Premier Redford's government urging that Alberta's energy needs and costs be  reviewed before proceeding with the above  ground line.

Strathcona County's mayor has seized the opportunity to take her concerns on electricity transmission to the energy minister.
Strathcona County Mayor Linda Osinchuk has been speaking out against the Heartland Transmission project since the Alberta Utilities Commission approved the 65-kilometre above ground powerline through Strathcona County.
The line is a 500 kilovolt, double-circuit transmission line that would cover 65 kilometres from south Edmonton to the Heartland region near Fort Saskatchewan.
At a session Thursday with cabinet ministers at the Association of Municipal Districts Convention, Osinchuk renewed her call for the province to review electricity needs and costs in Alberta.
Energy Minister Ted Morton says the new line is needed, not just for the Heartland, but to power the oilsands as well.
This comes one day after Osinchuk delivered letters to MLA's on the county's plans to file an application in court to review the decision by the Alberta Utilities Commission. CTV Edmonton

Redford traveled to Washington, D.C. this week, apparently to tell Alberta's story on the XL Keystone Pipeline.   She also met with business leaders in New York City, before a final stop in Ottawa for a discussion with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

 Alberta's Premier is taking some heat on the last leg of her tour promoting the province's energy sector.  Thursday, Alison Redford criticized New Democrat M.P.'s who went to Washington, D.C. and openly opposed the Keystone XL pipeline.  Prior to her meeting with the Prime Minister, Redford told reporters that it's not appropriate for Canadian politicians to advise American decision makers and serve as political activists.Redford's words raised the ire of the opposition.  Alberta's only NDP Member of Parliament, Linda Duncan, says she was appalled to hear Redford's statement. Redford met with Stephen Harper Thursday afternoon. Along with a Canadian energy strategy, she discussed immigration policies and pushed for per capita health funding.Redford says the discussion went well but no promises were made.Source CTV

The big news from the national media tonight is that Redford  is calling for a National Energy Strategy.  You can read more about it here.

In her first 45 days in office, Redford has demonstrated that she is of the same ilk as the PC old boys club.  In essence, nothing has changed.  The idea of a provincial sales tax was floated yesterday.  The PC government quickly denied that they were even thinking of the idea.

The Wildrose Alliance, under the leadership of Danielle Smith, released the Redford files on November 21st.  In an e-mail it said:

It has been just over 45 days since Alison Redford became Premier of Alberta, and already her list of flip-flops and fumbles is staggering.

From breaking her campaign promise of introducing fixed election dates, appointing Gary Mar and Rick Orman as senior government officials without holding an open and competitive application process, her “missing in action” approach on fighting for the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, and most recently, her government talking about a provincial sales tax and reintroducing health care premiums, it is clear that Premier Redford is out of touch with the views of everyday Albertans.

That's why today, we have launched The Redford Files, a website which outlines the Premier’s string of broken promises and missteps.

 The Website The Redford Files chronicles Redford's first 45 days, her flip flops and spending. It also carries a tweet from Linda Duncan, New Democratic Party, stating:

@LindaDuncanMP Linda Duncan

#yegfed # cdnpoli pleased Redford adopting federal NDP platform for public dialogue on sustainable energy future for Canadians

Without a mandate from the general public, Redford and her government should stop making life changing decisions for Albertans.   She should call a general election based on her agenda as soon as possible.