Here’s a highlight reel from yesterday and a video of me speaking on the steps of McDougal Centre yesterday on the issue of the Eastern Slopes. I am committed to this cause and will do whatever I can to work with all stakeholders – landowner groups, residents, environmentalists and governement – to make sure this government does the right thing and protect this pristine area until a plan is in place. If you’d like to join with us in this battle please contact my office.

Highlight Reel

David’s Speech

A large cross-section of ranchers, landowners, and environementalists showed up yesterday on the steps of the McDougall Centre in Calgary to support the Alberta Liberal Caucus’ call for a moratorium on new oil and gas leases in the Eastern Slopes area south of the city. You can read our press release: Alberta Liberals call for protection of Eastern Slopes. There are two press clippings to view, one from Renata D’Allesio of the Calgary Herald: Outfitter wants Albertans to be heard, and one from Shannon Woodward of the Calgary Sun: MLA calls for halt to new drilling in southern slopes.

Danielle Droitsch of Bow RiverKeepers speaks passionately about protecting Calgary’s source for drinking water in the Eastern Slopes. Check the Bow RiverKeepers website for more info on the actions they are taking on the environment: http://www.bowriverkeeper.org/

Nigel Douglas from the Alberta Wilderness Association lends his support to the call for a moratorium of all new oil and gas leases in the Eastern Slopes until a land-use plan is in place. More info on AWA: www.albertawilderness.ca/

James Tweedie of the Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition reads a 30 year old statement from the Government of Alberta. It is clear that the Government has not lived up to it’s own mandate. More info on Castle Crown: http://www.ccwc.ab.ca/ Sid Marty of the Livingstone Landowners Group speaks about his distrust of the current government and supports the Alberta Liberal call for a moratorium on new development until a land use strategy is in place. More info on Livingstone here: http://www.livingstone-landowners-group.net/

I’d love to hear your comments on this issue!

Here’s an interesting article in yesterday’s Globe and Mail speaking about a study that found Canada was bucking an international trend to increase taxes and royalties on oil production leading to greater government revenues.  According to the study, Canada is the only country where our take on oil production has actually decreased.  Many other countries are looking to nationalize certain portions of oil production in an effort to gain more value for the citizens that own the resource.

I’ve heard the Parkland Institute speak about this receently as well.  They point out that Alberta has the highest degree of foreign ownership of any major oil producer in the world: http://www.ualberta.ca/~parkland/research/studies/Spoils%20of%20the%20Boom%20report.pdf.

Access the Globe article here: Oil Rises, Canada’s Take Doesn’t and send me your thoughts on what should be done in light of the current royalty revue happening in the province.

The three amigos just grew into the fab four!  I’m so pleased to have Craig Cheffins as part of our team here in Calgary as part of the Alberta Liberal Caucus.  Last night’s result means that Calgarians are growing increasingly frustrated with the stale, outdated government being served up by Stelmach and co.  As a team of four – Dave Taylor, Harry Chase, myself and now Craig - we are eager to work harder than ever to listen to Calgarians and bring to light the issues that matter most to them. 

Here’s a pic for this morning’s news conference:

I co-wrote an op-ed with Elizabeth May, leader of the federal Green Party, on the issue of cancer prevention and the environment.  It appeared in the Calgary Herald this past Sunday June 3rd.

Please take a read and send me your thoughts: Good Government Policies can Prevent Many Cancers

As always, it’s a pleasure serving you as MLA.