I’ve been speaking to the media about Bill 50 over the last few days.
Here is what was said:
As an Albertan, what are you most concerned about on this issue?
David
Monthly Archives: September 2009
Bill 50
My colleagues and I at the Alberta Liberal Caucus are committed to fighting the Stelmach administration’s attempt to significantly increase Albertans electricity bills.
This fall, MLAs will debate Bill 50, which mandates the construction of a number of power lines between Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray while cancelling the public interest hearings that would normally be required. The projects will cost billions of dollars – and hard-working Albertans will pay 100% of the bill, hundreds of dollars extra every year on our power bills.
Public interest consultation is absolutely necessary when we’re talking about these projects, because they have an impact on every single Albertan today and for generations to come. The Stelmach administration must not be allowed to ignore the public and disregard the opposition to their plans; Albertans must have their say.
Bill 50 continues a pattern of Stelmach administration contempt for Albertans’ role in approving electricity infrastructure. With Bill 46 in 2007, the PC administration considerably weakened Albertans’ ability to make their voices heard. Now Bill 50 shows the Premier wants to silence those voices completely.
My collegue Alberta Liberal MLA Kent Hehr agrees, and hopes all MLAs, regardless of party affiliation, will stand up for their constituents by speaking out against Bill 50 – even if that could mean getting kicked out of the government caucus. He feels that all PC MLAs, particularly those in Edmonton and Calgary, must stand up for Albertans on this matter.
I want an open, fair and accountable regulatory process and a power grid that serves Albertans.
In my opinion, we should focus on locally-generated power whenever possible. Enmax, for example, proposes to build an 800 megawatt energy centre close to Calgary to meet that city’s energy needs. It’s cheaper and better for the environment than building a new line from Edmonton and shipping the power south.
And what about building a smart, modern grid rather than just rebuilding the old one?
Why is Ed Stelmach scared of Albertans being able to ask these questions?
David
Grandparents-at-Large
At the multicultural Peace Pole gathering last Sunday i heard stories of wonderful happenings between our cultures. Several Calgary seniors meet regularly with new Canadian families – especially those with extra challenges such as single parent and children needing guidance. The joy on both sides was very moving to hear about as both family and senior found great meaning and satisfaction in the relationship.
I want to pitch the idea of Grandparents-at-Large (like Uncles at Large) to get organized and tap into the growing need in our City to build healthy relationships and solve problems.
Anyone out there aware of a similar organization – or interested in helping me set one up??
Please contact my office and speak to Alex or Carole at (403) 216-5445, calgary.mountainview@assembly.ab.ca
David
Acute Care Cuts
The cuts to acute care beds announced last week will have an impact equivalent to losing a major hospital.
To read more from press around the province about the government’s planned cuts to acute care beds in Calgary and Edmonton click on the links below:
David
A New Kind of Administration for Alberta
The Stelmach administration is a new kind of administration for Alberta – one that governs by doing nothing and crossing its fingers, hoping for better times to magically appear. This is a time of great economic turmoil all over the world, and the Premier, having squandered Alberta’s wealth, just doesn’t know how to deal with it.
Aside from antagonizing oil and gas companies with his ever-changing royalty regimes – with another re-jigging reportedly coming in October – and using his ministers as “bad cops” to slash public sector jobs, the Premier has done nothing to address the serious challenges facing Alberta:
· Record deficit – $7 billion and climbing, plus a $1.1 billion health deficit accumulated since the Premier’s administration merged the health regions
· Highest unemployment rate in 13 years – 7.4 percent, representing over 157,000 unemployed Albertans, up more than double from last year
· 102 percent increase in bankruptcies
· ER wait times: median of 16.6 hours in Calgary’s three hospitals as of February 2008; averages between 22.6 and 27.8 hours at Edmonton hospitals as of March 2009; Stelmach administration has stopped publishing statistics on ER wait times since then
· Rent supplements for Albertans at risk of homelessness have run out
· Home foreclosures have more than doubled in just two years, from 2,510 in 06-07 to 5,300 today
If I were Premier, I’d immediately stop the wasteful spending on public relations, hospitality, severance packages and bonuses and redundant MLA committees. I’d take action on oil and gas royalties to bring the fairness and stability needed to help industry recover. I’d forge a common sense plan to tackle the deficit and fix public health care. We’ve had enough panels and committees and studies; it’s time for action, action that’s grounded in an honest analysis of our situation, the best advice from real experts, and the long-term public interest of all Albertans. Instead, the Premier is paralyzed by indecision.
David
13th annual Homeless Awareness Week
I had the pleasure of participating in 13th annual Homeless Awareness Week kick off at Olympic Plaza this past Monday along with my Alberta Liberal Caucus collegues Kent Hehr and Harry Chase.
It was a very inspiring event with the people who are actually experiencing homelessness, and a call to action at all levels of government.
To read more about it in the Calgary Sun, click HERE
David
More Bad News for Alberta’s Health Care and Albertans
Health officials announced this week that the $222-million expansion of Peter Lougheed Hospital will not open any new beds to Calgary patients. This is very disappointing news, and a demonstration of the lack of foresight and planning for an increasing and aging population by this government.
How can a government fail to plan for operating costs after a facility is built?
To read the article in today’s Calgary Herald click HERE
David
News from Calgary Glenmore
After 3 months on the doors of Calgary Glenmore it is not difficult to see the dramatic shift away from the Stelmach administration. Many people we’ve visited just shake their heads at the staggering financial mismanagement happening in our province.
While many remain undecided about how to vote on Monday a large number are telling us that the main issue is loss of trust.
Many have said they will vote for someone they can trust.
I truly believe that Avalon Roberts and the Alberta Liberals are worthy of that trust and are actively working to protect the public interest.
To read what Macleans has to say about the by-election click HERE
There are many ways to help in Glenmore. Please contact Ruth Huber to assist Avalon Roberts, afternoons and evenings:
rbhuber@shaw.ca or (403) 244-7231
David
Back to work after the Labour Day long weekend.
On behalf of my colleagues in the Alberta Liberal Caucus, I hope that all Albertans had an enjoyable Labour Day long weekend. The Labour Day weekend marks more than the end of summer; it’s a time to celebrate Alberta workers, who make significant contributions to our economy, to our culture and to our communities.
Labour Day is a time to show our gratitude to working Albertans, who make better lives for their families and build a stronger foundation for Alberta’s future. It is also a time to remember that all workers deserve to be safe on the job and to come home to their families at the end of the day.
The Alberta Liberal Caucus remains committed to protecting Alberta’s workers. In the coming months, we will continue to call on the government for safe working conditions, fair labour practices, and for the government to provide Alberta workers with the protection they deserve.
David
Congratulations to Mount Royal University!
On behalf of the Official Opposition, I congratulate Dave Marshall, President of Mount Royal University, the students, alumni, faculty and staff of Mount Royal, its board of governors, Calgarians and Albertans on the ascencion of this wonderful institution to university status.
This is a great day for Mount Royal, for Calgary, and for Alberta. As education is the foundation of our prosperity and growth as a society, adding another university to Alberta’s ranks is a huge step forward for our province and its people. We also wish to congratulate Lieutenant Governor Kwong for receiving the new university’s first honorary degree. I can think of no more fitting recipient.
Congratulations to Canada’s newest university.
David