Dr. Suzuki spoke passionately last week in Calgary about the need for action at all levels and angrily against governments that fail to do their job. The trouble with anger, at least in Alberta, is that we are uncomfortable with the emotion. Even when anger is appropriate, as in Alberta’s inaction on climate change,  it disturbs people and people can then judge the messenger instead of the message.  Premier Stelmach is using this opportunity to mire Suzuki’s image rather than dealing with the issue.  As of today, the Herald published 4 angry letters telling Suzuki in effect to mind his own business. In short, Stelmach’s image attack has been successful and yet again we have failed to address the issue of climate change in an open and honest manner.

Conscious Albertans however know that change is needed.  We can no longer plead ignorance about the future consequences of inaction on the environment, our health and our economy. We cannot go on without visionary leadership, the best of science to inform our planning, and competent management that considers the next 100 years.

Most Albertans will, in private, admit to anger at mismanagement. My hope is that they will express it more effectively to their MLA and at election time. What Albertans want is responsible governance.

A report published by the renowned Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy has said that Alberta is putting itself in jeopardy by not devoting more resources to properly map and protect groundwater.  Alberta Environment requested this study at a meeting in Banff last year.  Here are a few of the recommendations:

-Spend more to implement the water strategy — “without proper and timely funding for the initiative, both inside and outside government, all gains made to date could be negated;”

-Set up comprehensive monitoring — “existing monitoring systems, especially those for groundwater, are inadequate, and without effective monitoring, the goals of the strategy cannot be achieved;” and

-Recognize the link between science and policy — “in the management of Alberta’s economy, water should be viewed as being every bit as important as oil.”

When asked about Alberta’s future water supply if the status quo remains, Henry Vaux Jr. – chairman of the panel states, …”it is frankly, scary”. Read the whole article by Renata D’Allesio here: Water Panel Issues Warning

Alberta Environment, after requesting the study, is now claiming that everything’s under control despite the report findings that it’s not.  This is another example of an arrogant government hell bent on development while not considering the vital interests of Alberta’s citizens who rely on groundwater.

Currently in the town of Nanton, the mayor is publicly asking for Compton Petroleum to stop it’s seismic activity.  According to him, the source of the town’s famous water is still unknown and without proper knowledge of the groundwater in the area, many fear that their only water source will be contaminated.  This example is a perfect antidote to the Government’s continued arrogance.  People’s livelihoods are at stake and the best the government can do is to downplay the advice of international experts???

View the report here: Rosenberg Report on Alberta Water
 

A commons comittee studying environmental legislation heard from Dr. Matthew Bramley of the Pembina yesterday and Gordon Lambert, Vice President of Suncor Energy Inc.  Both noted that drastic reductions can be achieved if the government works fast with industry and already existing technology.  Please view some clippings from a variety of sources here: Kyoto Clippings

On the same day, Alberta Liberal leader Kevin Taft issued a strong warning that if Alberta doesn’t accomodate the global concern over CO2 emmissions, we could get left behind in the global economy.  Already, California has said that they will place a levy on our oil if we fail to reduce emissions and live up to international treaties.  Read the article here: Kevin Taft on Alberta’s Emissions.

Below is a powerful message to the Premier from Bruce Cutayne. It summarizes what many – perhaps most – Albertans feel today; a mixture of anger and anxiety about the government mismanagement of our province and our future.

Climate change is too important to allow partisan politics to de-rail action any longer. We all know that firm limits must be set on carbon emissions and we need to work toward a level playing field for renewable energy like wind and solar. What has been missing at all levels is the political will to start with a firm limit and allow time for the new technology and skills and transition to cleaner energy use.

Kyoto may be too ambitious but we have been too ‘laissez -faire’ till now. We must act and send clear, attainable signals to business. We know we must reduce by 2-3% per year to achieve a 50% reduction by 2050 which most authorities say is the minimum to begin to turn things around in the climate.

Here is the letter (thanks Bruce!):

Dear Mr. Stelmach,

“Alberta warns it will fight limits on economy. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach warned Ottawa yesterday that his government was ready to do battle against any destructive environmental initiatives that could threaten the growth in his province.” front page National Post, Feb 14, 2007

In light of the rapidly worsening condition of our planet, it would be difficult for most reading your recent comments before the Calgary Rotary Club to concluded anything other than the fact that you are a man with neither soul nor conscience. I sincerely hope that, in 100 years, when the polar bears are extinct, the polar icecap is but a memory in school textbooks, and the new desert of Alberta basks in summer’s heat of 50+°C and persistent drought, that your great-grandchildren don’t review your economy-before-environment policy and view their great-grandfather’s enduring legacy as little more than a greedy, shortsighted, industrial pirate and feel profound shame and a deep sense of remorse over opportunities lost.

The irony, it seems though, is that continuing on the otherwise short sighted path of economic greed and environmental destructiveness, on which Alberta perhaps leads the way with its coal-fired electric power generation and unchecked tar sands growth, will be the loose thread that eventually unravels the economy of Alberta. If the Albertan footprint of environmental demand were extrapolated to the entire planet (everybody consumed and polluted as much as Albertans) we would need approximately 7.6 planets to sustain us all. Carbon abatement is already a given through much of Europe. When you consider the seemingly inevitable carbon tax that more and more Canadians are rightly demanding to rein in the irresponsible pirates of this country that continue to refuse any voluntary, responsible action, perhaps you should review the recent bearish report issued by CIBC World Markets – “40% of the TSX Market Cap will fall under meaningful measures for carbon abatement in the very near future. Carbon exposure is broader than many investors yet suspect”. If you are the steward that you so profess to be, you will manage and reduce those exposures and not just fight measures to do so.

Continue reading →

Mr. Stelmach said recently he would delay infrastructure projects in order to save taxpayer’s dollars.  On the surface it sounds like not a bad idea – saving tax payers dollars that is.  What the article unfortunately does not do is ask why there is skyrocketing inflation and what the Alberta Government can do to ensure responsible or ‘smart growth’.

Mr. Stelmach says he is waiting for things to ‘cool off’ before going ahead with vital projects that were needed yesterday – like another hospital in Calgary.  ‘Smart growth’ requires careful social and environmental planning, not simply a strong business case. Since when did the market alone ensure people’s basic needs and environmental protection? The public interest of Albertans may not be served by another heavy oil upgrader in the Industrial Heartland northeast of Edmonton or another oilsands project in Ft. McMurray at this time. 

What is needed is for the government to do its job – the hard work of careful analysis to balance social, environmental (including greenhouse gas reductions) and economic wellbeing. 

The question many are asking is whether the Alberta Conservative government is capable of responsible governing – genuinely in the public interest.

Read this article recently appearing in the Sun, outlining Conservative government massive expenditures on the Public Affairs Bureau – the largest PR machine in Canada I understand.  This is a travesty of democracy, reporting as it does to the Premier and promoting the Conservative government agenda, rather than reflecting the Legislature and its various perspectives.

What are your thoughts?

Alberta’s PR tab tops $25 million

By DARCY HENTON, LEGISLATURE BUREAU

EDMONTON — Talk ain’t cheap for the Alberta government.The province spent more than $25 million talking to Albertans through advertisements, news releases, websites and communications experts in 2005-06, according to government documents.

The bulk of that went to pay for a $15.3 million 100-plus member public affairs bureau, headed by a $190,000-a-year managing director.

The province also contracted out more than $2 million in communications work and spent another $8.5 million in advertising.

Scott Hennig of the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation says it makes no sense for the government to contract out so much communications work.

For the amount the government spends on its bureau, it should be able to do the work internally, he said.

Tom Olsen, one of three people now working in the premier’s communications office, said the government has to contract out work when it doesn’t have the expertise in-house to get it done.

“There are specific instances when we have to rely on the expertise of others to meet the goals of government in terms of providing information on a specific program,” he said.

Liberal Leader Kevin Taft has called for the public affairs bureau to be disbanded, claiming it is doing political work rather than just informing Albertans.

He calls the bureau the Tories’ “secret weapon.”

“It’s the Tory equivalent of the old Soviet TASS news agency.”

Last week I participated in a discussion hosted by the Sheldon Chumir Foundation and the Famous Five Foundation. The topic was women in politics; questioning why there are so few women holding elected positions within Canada. It is shameful that a mere 20% of MPs are women, while only 17% of MLAs and 11% of elected officials in the federal governing party are women.

The night included a short skit poking fun at Stelmach’s choice of cabinet. They joked about a picture of the cabinet from 1921 where Irene Parlby,the first and only woman in the cabinet, was standing in the centre of the picture, surrounded by a sea of old, white, males. “Compared to today’s cabinet,” the actors said sarcastically, “we’ve made great advances! Now there are TWO women in the cabinet!” They were still surrounded by a sea of old, white, men!

The night mainly focused on roundtable discussion of three concepts for increasing the number of women in politics in Canada:
1. Forming a women’s party for the advancement of women (This was tried for a period of time, with success, in Iceland in the 1980s). I would (and did support this, here and now in Alberta!)
2. Setting gender quotas for nominated candidates in all parties (This apparently works best in a system with proportional representation  – which Liberals support)
3. Taking a stance of “no taxation without representation” (This was the premise behind the Boston Tea Party – if the political representation does not exist, taxes should not have to be paid)

At the end of the night, each table shared the best new idea they had come up with, and political scientist Doreen Barrie picked the best one: a general strike by ALL women for one day to draw attention to the impoartant role women play in society.

Overall, I think the issue is a difficult one. There is no doubt in my mind that we need more women in elected positions.The difficulty lies in how we can eliminate the barriers to women, and encourage them to run for office. One group, working hard on this issue is In Balance International (IBI). They are attempting to have institutional, non-profit and corporate boards (as well as political parties) become more representative of the general population (i.e., increase the number of women in these positions). I encourage everyone to visit their website, www.inbalanceinternational.com, which will be launched March 8, 2007.

Hi David,

This is a letter I wrote to The Calgary Herald after reading about record
profits made by various oil companies. It didn’t get published, nor did any
other letters related to the topic. Which is strange, considering Exxon
made the most money a company has ever made in corporate history.

Anyway, just wondering if my points are valid from your perspective. Do you
think Albertans should be asking for a higher royalty rate? Is this why?

Re: Oil profits hit all-time high

Now I definitely fail to see any argument against raising Alberta’s 1%
royalty rate. It’s already been criticized for being unnecessarily low
considering the rising value of oil and the substantially higher royalty
rates that Norway and Alaska call for. Meanwhile, a number of oil companies
are making record profits while strained public services all over Alberta
complain of a seemingly mysterious lack of funds. Essentially, Albertans
are being asked to make sacrifices to support oil growth without getting much
in return.

Could oil companies still afford to operate and invest in the oilsands
despite a higher royalty rate? These record profits seem to suggest that
this is very possible. Why are we excitedly rushing towards a lower quality
of life?

Andrew Payne

Calgary, Alberta

Thanks to David Hoskyn (owner and operator of Monarch Music) I now have MP3s from last week’s town hall meeting! I’ll post some highlights here for you, but if you would like a CD of the entire evening, contact me at calgary.mountainview@assembly.ab.ca and I can send you a copy.

Gillian, 7, describes her plan for turning back the tar sands and climate change.