David Swann: Blog

Dr. David Swann is the elected member of the Alberta Legislature for Calgary Mountain View and the Liberal critic for the Health and Wellness, Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aboriginal Relations.

David Swann: Blog - Dr. David Swann is the elected member of the Alberta Legislature for Calgary Mountain View and the Liberal critic for the Health and Wellness, Human Services, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aboriginal Relations.

Monthly Archives: November 2008

Letter by Dr. Bob about Taxes

Below is an excellent and thoughful letter on the place of taxes in a functioning and sustainable society written by my good friend Dr. Bob Dickson.

Don’t underestimate what taxes do for us

The Edmonton Journal Saturday November 22, 2008

Neither tax nor taxes are four letter words. Yet, in our modern-day greed and dollar-driven society, the Alberta and Canadian taxpayer federations and the provincial and federal Conservatives all berate and demean these entities.

The truth is, we live in an amazingly privileged society where taxes are the fuel that propel and sustain our lives and lifestyles. Our roads, medical care, education, parks, water, sanitation, sporting venues, recreational facilities, senior care, programs for the less fortunate, police and legal systems, fire protection, emergency services, assistance to the world’s poorest, and most of our daily lives are almost entirely supported by the taxation system.

We have Conservatives governments in power that, for political expediency and often just to buy votes, make senseless tax cuts like that in the GST that took over $12 billion out of federal coffers.

Then they plead lack of funding for such things as foreign aid and municipalities, leaving the average Canadian to dole out more for charities and local services. A wise person stated several years ago, when commenting on philanthropy, “A society that relies on the politics of charity exchanges human rights for handouts.”

Indeed, if we were to tax our corporations and elite closer to average levels of other wealthy nations, we could not only adequately fund our overstretched municipalities but could again shine in the international arena.

Robert C. Dickson, Calgary

Longing for Leadership: Private Member’s Statement (November 18, 2008)

Below is my Private Member’s Statement, presented on November 18, 2008 in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta

Longing for Leadership

The song “Waiting for a Miracle” is Leonard Cohen at his most sardonic – a dark view of a people in a hopeless state waiting for someone to save them. I believe we are our own rescuers; we don’t get better lives by waiting, we build better lives by getting involved. The world is at a turning point with serious challenges and different choices to be made if we are to leave a better future for our children. Our economy, environment and civil society are threatened. But people are longing for courageous, honest leadership; too many have given up on our political system in Alberta.

As a physician and politician, I’ve tried to create the awareness of our need for balance – social wellbeing, a protected environment and a healthy economy: the Triple Bottom Line.

People want to see government act with integrity; lead rather than manage; stop abusing power, listen instead of brushing off real frustrations with lack of mental health support or children coming to school hungry; unnecessary red tape for small business.

In this province I have witnessed in the past 15 years a profound decline in public engagement and a loss of trust in the political process. People ask me how we could spend so much more than other provinces and get so little? How we could waste our non-renewable windfall – saving virtually nothing, and fail to see where the world is going in energy conservation and a renewable energy/economy?

Albertans ask me why we have the highest rates of family violence, alcoholism, depression and suicide;
This is not about better management as much as bold leadership – listening to energy producers for a balanced energy future; listening to health professionals about real health care reform; hearing our most vulnerable citizens and their care-givers who plead for dignity.

And it’s time to talk frankly about our responsibilities as citizens. We cannot wait for a miracle. There is no time to lose – we must work together to create a vigorous, centrist politics of the people – a politics that stands for the public interest for the long term. As the Hopi Indian elder counseled his people many decades ago – “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

To my Legislature colleagues, constituents – women, youth, all cultures – all Albertans – if you love this province, end the false humility, the ashen fatalism and join us, with purpose and passion. Let us together create the proud, strong and healthy tapestry called Alberta.

Albertans don’t trust Stelmach’s environmental record – why should world leaders?

Calgary- Alberta Liberal MLA David Swann is looking for environmental stewardship rather than talk from Premier Stelmach.
A recent poll commissioned by the province reveals that only 16 percent of Albertans and three percent of Canadians believe that “Alberta’s government is a good environmental steward.”
“Clearly, Albertans have seen through Premier Stelmach’s efforts to greenwash his government’s poor environmental record,” says Swann. “If he can’t convince Albertans that he’s serious about protecting the environment, why is he wasting time trying to convince world leaders – particularly an American President-elect who has made clean energy a priority?”
Swann wants stronger targets and timelines for greenhouse gas reductions, capping emissions in Alberta within five years and harmonized with the federal government targets for 2020 and 2050. “Industry needs certainty, a level playing field, and a good international reputation to thrive. This government is not protecting our environment or our vital oil and gas sector,” says Swann.
He also supports a stronger government monitoring and enforcement mechanism to ensure that industry is meeting emissions reduction targets.
 “Right now, the government is allowing industry to self-regulate. But you only have to look at the world financial crisis to see how destructive a lack of government oversight can be,” Swann says. Working together, government and industry can reduce our carbon footprint.”
Swann says that carbon capture and storage is only part of the solution. “We must adopt several market tools to curb emissions, including increasing the per tonne levy on large emitters, some form of cap and trade system, and regulations.” 
Swann notes that the use of market based policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is strongly supported by leading scientists and climate change organizations, such as the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE).

Fort Chipewyan Rejects Alberta Cancer Board Study – Cites lack of community input and transparency

Fort Chipewyan, AB, November 10, 2008 — The Fort Chipewyan leadership of the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations and the Metis Local Association have categorically rejected a soon-to-be released report from the Alberta Cancer Board. This report is the second study done by the Alberta Cancer Board in the community of Fort Chipewyan. It was meant to provide a more thorough analysis of cancer rates in the community. The study was seen as problematic in that it did not include engagement with the local community’s health board or health professionals. The community did not feel that the study was done in a transparent way, according to the leaders.

President Fred Fraser of the Metis Local Association said, “We said from the start with the original study two years ago that not only did the community need to be engaged throughout but that the methodology originally employed needed to change.” He further added, “There was no consideration to look at methods that would be consistent with the health board’s wishes.”

Chief Roxanne Marcel said, “We are extremely disappointed with the Cancer Board. It’s our opinion that the current draft study is an identical product of the original one, which we also rejected for a number of reasons, including the fact that it was incomplete.” She added, “This is further commentary that Fort Chipewyan shouldn’t trust government on providing accurate information on anything related to tar sands development and its impacts downstream.”

“This is not the first time that the community has rejected studies initiated by the Government of Alberta,” said Steve Courtoreille, the Chairperson for the Nunee Health Board Society. He added, “The lack of transparency and community involvement are the exact reasons the community no longer trusts the Alberta government and its agencies to deliver accurate and responsible information to our community.”

Fort Chipewyan is situated downstream from tar sands development, and it has repeatedly expressed to governments the growing number of issues and concerns related to this large scale development. The most troubling concern among community members is the rising number of rare cancers being observed in the community of 1,200 people. The Nunee Health Board Society is a partnership between the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations and the Metis Local Association and speaks on behalf of the community of Fort Chipewyan.

For more information contact:

MIKISEW CREE FIRST NATION
Chief Roxanne Marcel
Telephone: 780-697-3740

NUNEE HEALTH BOARD SOCIETY
Steve Courtoreille, Chairperson
Telephone: 780-697-3740Â