Public Infrastructure and Responsible Governance
Author: mike | Date: February 19, 2007 | Please Comment!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.Â
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.Â
The question many are asking is whether the Alberta Conservative government is capable of responsible governing – genuinely in the public interest.
5:04 pm on February 19th, 2007
Well that question has been around for a VERY long time but few have asked it in the past (at least you’da been hard pressed to find the question appearing in the lap dog Alberta media). The truth is more likely that Alberta doesn’t have the money. Conservatives have squandered most of the real wealth and the tap is now running dry. Gambling is more profitable than oil and a close look will probably find Conservatives have screwed that up to….that which they haven’t handed over to the…..what shall we call them….Laissez Faire international gambling types held in such high esteen by certain Speakers…
6:47 am on February 22nd, 2007
It is interesting that during down times in the economy that there is not enough money for public infrastructure and during boom times the government tells us that such expenditures are too expensive. In other words it is never a good time. What the conservative government is really saying is that public schools and hospitals are a thing of the past. Unless things change, say goodbye to the universal right to high standards in education and health care like in Scandinavian countries. We will soon live in a province where such high standards will be given only to those with the money to buy it just like in the US.