Premier Stelmach has finally admitted what Albertans have known for a long time: his administration is completely lacking in fiscal discipline and the budget deficit, already the largest in Alberta history, will be far higher than originally projected.

The Premier’s pledge not to raise taxes has left him with few opportunities to increase revenues. That means he’ll have to find $10 billion in cuts, which will devastate the Alberta economy even further. Either that or he’ll start building a tower of debt billions of dollars tall.

Premier Stelmach created this debt thanks to overdependence upon volatile oil and gas prices and wasteful spending. This kind of incompetence is truly unparalleled.

To read what was in the Canadian Press click here

From the Liberal Caucus, July 31st

The Stelmach administration should amend legislation to make it possible for the Electoral Boundaries Commission to redistribute Alberta’s 83 constituencies rather than add new ones.

The Commission, whose members were announced today, has a legislated mandate to add four new seats to Alberta’s already large 83-seat Legislature. Four new MLAs could cost Alberta taxpayers an additional $10 million or more over a four-year term.

“At a time when the Stelmach administration says Alberta can’t afford to hire desperately needed doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, how can the Premier justify hiring four new MLAs?” asks Dr. David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition. “With a deficit that creeps closer to $10 billion every day, is this really where the Premier wants to spend more?”

In the 1990s, the Alberta Liberals proposed reducing the number of MLAs from 83 to 65.

“We should think about cutting the number of MLAs before cutting public services,” Swann says. “At the very least, we need to hold the line at 83.”

Swann believes that the Premier knows Alberta doesn’t need more MLAs, and that the legislation his administration forced through in the spring, which directed the Commission to add more seats, was a purely political maneuver.

“Here’s what’s really going on,” Swann argues. “The Premier knows that Edmonton and Calgary are underrepresented, and that rural Alberta is overrepresented in the Legislature. But he doesn’t want any of his rural MLAs to have to face nomination battles if their seats are eliminated by redistribution. Instead, he’s just manipulated matters so that seats will likely be added to the major cities. He wants to placate voters in Edmonton and Calgary without upsetting his rural applecart.”

“83 MLAs is enough,” Swann concludes. “The Premier should untie the hands of the Commission members and allow them to redistribute Alberta’s 83 constituencies in a way that reflects Alberta’s population, without adding MLAs. If his government is looking for ways to cut costs, here’s a good start.”

Members named to Electoral Boundaries Commission

Edmonton – The Electoral Boundaries Commission has been struck to review existing electoral boundaries.

Based on this review, the Commission will be making recommendations to divide the province into 87 electoral divisions, four more than at present. As required by the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, the Commission will review existing electoral boundaries and make proposals to the Legislative Assembly as to the area, boundaries and names of electoral divisions.

 “This is an intensive process,” said Speaker Ken Kowalski. “It is a process that requires extensive consultation with the people of Alberta.”

“During its review the Commission will examine issues such as population density, existing community boundaries within metro areas and other existing municipal boundaries,” explained Speaker Ken Kowalski.  “The Commission will also consider geographical features such as existing road systems and other natural dividers.” 

The proposed electoral divisions must not be more than 25 per cent above or more than 25 per cent below the average population of all the proposed divisions. However, under the Act, in as many as four of the proposed divisions the difference may be as much as 50 per cent below the average if any three of the following criteria exist:

·         The area of the proposed electoral division exceeds 20,000 square kilometres or the total surveyed area of the proposed electoral division exceeds 15,000 square kilometres.

·         The distance from the Legislature to the nearest boundary by direct highway route is more than 150 kilometres.

·         There is no town in the proposed division with a population greater than 8,000.

·         The area contains an Indian reserve or Metis settlement.

·         The proposed electoral division shares a boundary with an existing provincial boundary.

The Commission will submit its first report within seven months of its appointment and its final report within five months of the date of its first report. The Commission will hold a series of public hearings prior to these reports being submitted to the Speaker.

Interim financing for the Commission will be provided by the Legislative Assembly until a final budget can be approved by means of a supplementary supply estimate when the House meets later this fall.

The Honourable Judge Ernest J. M. Walter was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to chair the Commission July 21, 2009. Working with Judge Walter are the following four individuals appointed by Speaker Kowalski.

Mr. Brian Evans, QC (Calgary)      Nominated by the President of Executive Council

Mr. Peter Dobbie, QC (Vegreville) Nominated by the President of Executive Council

Dr. Keith Archer (Banff)                  Nominated by the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition*

Ms. Allyson Jeffs (Edmonton)       Nominated by the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition*

* Nominations by Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition were done in consultation with the Leader of the third-party opposition.

From the Liberal Caucus, July 28, 2009

Edmonton – Dr. David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition, has shuffled his Shadow Cabinet to ensure an even division of major critic portfolios between Calgary, Edmonton and rural Alberta.

“The energy industry needs a strong Calgary voice to represent their interests, so I have appointed Dave Taylor to fill that role,” Swann says. “Dave is a veteran MLA with a solid understanding of that industry’s importance to Alberta, so it’s a great fit.”

Harry Chase is the new Critic for Advanced Education and Technology. “Harry’s a teacher and his constituency, Calgary-Varsity, includes the University of Calgary, so it makes perfect sense to assign this important portfolio to a veteran Calgary MLA,” Swann says.

Swann has given Kevin Taft the Health and Wellness portfolio, citing Taft’s extensive knowledge of the public health care system. “Kevin has written extensively on the subject of health care in Alberta,” Swann says.

Lethbridge MLA Bridget Pastoor is the new Critic for Agriculture and Rural Development. “Bridget has a strong connection to rural Alberta – she understands that Alberta farmers, ranchers and rural citizens are taken for granted by the Stelmach administration, and she looks forward to sticking up for all rural Albertans, many of whom are increasingly dissatisfied with the Stelmach administration,” Swann says.

Darshan Kang adds Infrastructure to his critic responsibilities. “Darshan’s been a great voice for his constituents in northeast Calgary vis-à-vis the airport tunnel,” Swann says. “I know he’ll be conscientious when it comes to important infrastructure projects.”

The last major change adds the Finance and Enterprise portfolio to Edmonton MLA Hugh MacDonald’s critic roles. “Hugh does an excellent job of digging through the Stelmach administration’s books to find wasteful spending,” Swann says. “He’s always out to make sure that taxpayers get the best possible value for their money.”

Swann made the changes not only for the sake of regional representation, but to give his MLAs new challenges and experiences.

“We want to form government, so one of my jobs as Leader is to ensure that my MLAs develop a wide range of experience and skills,” Swann says. “I know that all of us are eager to give Albertans the respect and representation they deserve, and this shuffle helps meet that goal.”

Another great event put on by the folks at the Calgary Sun and Salsa Festival!

It’s always a please to meet and talk with people in the community.  Thank you to all those who shared their views on politics in Alberta today, particularily in regards to health care. 

I look forward to next year’s festival.

David

From the Liberal Caucus:

Calgary – David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition, is calling for Premier Ed Stelmach to come clean with his real plans to cut health care costs.

 “Yesterday, Edmontonians learned that the Grey Nuns and Misericordia hospitals have reduced the number of MRIs performed to meet budget demands from Alberta Health Services.  This means longer wait lists, subsequent delays in treatment, and greater long term costs for the health care system. Is this the Premier’s idea of creating accessibility?”

 Earlier this year the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton was told to cut its elective surgeries by 15 per cent. Now two more hospitals have been directed to cut back the number of MRIs performed by 15 per cent.

 Treasury Board President Lloyd Snelgrove stated that without tax increases, “health care and education and all of the social programs would need to be cut at least 15 per cent.” Since the Premier took taxes off the table, it is clear that Snelgrove’s prediction is already coming true.

  “On the heels of Lloyd Snelgrove’s comments, Albertans have the right to know what other services the Stelmach administration will cut,” Swann says.

 Swann points out that the secrecy surrounding the changes to health care is compounded by Alberta Health Services’ new Codes of Conduct, which threaten employees with dismissal if they blow the whistle on health care cuts.

“This is further limiting the ability of front line workers to contribute to constructive improvements in the system.”