Public Policy and Politics

The following post was delivered as a lecture for The School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, Friday, February 1, 2013.

Public Policy Definitions:

The principles, often unwritten, on which social laws are based
The principle that injury to the public good is a basis for denying the legality of a contract of other transaction
Distinct from Private Policy, which serves personal or corporate interests

Other scholars define Public Policy as a system of “courses of action, regulatory measures, laws, and funding priorities concerning a given topic by a government or its representatives.”

Public policy is commonly embodied “in constitutions, legislative acts, and judicial decisions.”

Politics:

“Relating to citizens”—is the art or science of influencing people’s beliefs on a civic, or individual level, when there are more than two people involved
Modern political discourse focuses on democracy and the relationship between people and politics. Politics is thought of as the way we “choose representatives and make decisions about public policy”

If people are not engaged, or politicians evade public involvement, the policy decisions are made by representatives with variable results based on

how much time they have
who was consulted
what financial interests are involved
what the party policy is
what public perception is (determined through polling)

The goal of government (through public policy), is:

A fair, inclusive society committed to engaging all citizens in the democratic process and ensuring social, environmental and economic wellbeing into the future
This includes minority, marginalized and ethnic communities and their participation and benefit
That’s democracy—representing the majority and protecting minorities

And the role of government is to do the hard work of comprehensive analysis of issues and reflect the long term public interest in policies. Why else would we elect governments of the people?

Policy Process

Question: Does money potentially subvert the democratic process? If so, how?

Policy example: What would an ideal electoral (party) financing process look like in Alberta?

Issue/problem: How to ensure efficient, fair, transparent and accountable elections? (e.g., concerns about excessive influence of money on electoral politics and policy)—Review of current Act and regulations.

Values and principles assessment: What would limit and fairly support the finances needed for democratic process?

Who should be involved? Expert analysis (comprehensive) and state of the art knowledge and standards about the current and future state of the issue, including costs, benefits and trade-offs.

All-party Committee examine the scope—current status of who can donate, donation limits and tax credits assigned; reporting frequency.

Here’s what happened with Bill 7

Bill 7—Election Accountability Amendment Act, 2012 (Denis) passed in November and was proclaimed in Dec/12.

Background: This followed from the 2008 election which was fraught with delays for voters, incorrect polling station information, inconsistent standards for eligibility and identification and a 41% voter turnout.

Brian Feldheim the CEO at the time was hamstrung by delays from the government in identifying Returning Officers (temporary employees that supervise the election process in each polling station)
Following the election we took the government to court for violating its own election act and Brian Feldheim wrote a scathing report calling for 102 changes to the Act
He was replaced as CEO soon after

In addition, there have been many illegal donations in the past few years and the government recognized the liabilities:

Justice Dept sent out the drafts a few days before the Legislature opened and debate ensued: the two most contentious issues were Legal Limits ($15K/year; $30K election year – cf. Federal elections allow $1100/yr and no corporate or union donations) and Donations by Corporations and Unions
Neither of these entities has a vote – why would we give them such inordinate financial influence?

Over 100 amendments were suggested to Bill 7 – none accepted

Minor changes to the public reporting of donations and more frequent reporting of financial status.
No change to the contentious issues of high limits and freedom of corporations and unions donating rather than individuals (federal law).

The major issues: excessive limits and heavy influence of corporations were not changed. These clearly influence campaign strength and on subsequent policy. One good change this Bill brought in:

Makes it easier for post-secondary students to vote–Alberta students who are studying out-of-province are permitted to vote in Alberta provincial elections in the constituency where they are ordinarily resident and were residing before leaving to attend school. Alberta students who are studying away from home but still in Alberta can choose to vote either in the constituency where they are currently residing or where they are ordinarily resident.

Out-of-province students attending school in Alberta are considered residents of Alberta and may vote in Alberta provincial elections in the constituency where they are residing.

Conclusions:

Policy reflects many interests rammed into a ‘sausage maker’—the process is critical; all the steps, transparency and accountability must be in place and we need some appeal processes where policy (such as Bill 7) strays from the test of long term public interest.

Political parties are very human organizations with their own interests, values and practises and must be held in check by regulations and ethical standards but also by the people.

If the people lose interest, lose trust, lose courage or can’t take the time—we lose control over policy (laws) and slip into abuse of power, self-interest, cronyism and ultimately corruption. No surprise – power corrupts.

Democracy is fragile—mostly volunteers—it depends on conscious people paying attention to public issues and ensuring their opinions are being heard at municipal, provincial and federal levels.

Legislature Review

The Alberta Liberal Caucus has enjoyed several victories in the legislature this session.

Healthcare dominated the fall session of the legislature, led by our call for a much needed emergency debate on healthcare. The government, continuing to be out of touch with issues of importance to Albertans, limited debate to 75 minutes. It was only after Dr. Sherman was kicked out of the PC caucus for speaking his mind and his proposal of an amendment to Bill 17 that enabled the Liberal Caucus to push for adequate debate. Debate lasted 25 hours, none of which the Premier chose to attend. With Albertans waiting 18 hours in emergency rooms for care, the Premier showed disinterest and contempt towards Albertans accessing the healthcare system and to medical staff who are working diligently to make a broken system function.

The Alberta government backed off from park legislation. The proposed bill put too much power into the hands of the minister. Without rules backed by legislation, the door was left open for more development in Alberta’s parks. Local and national conservation groups have campaigned against Bill 29 since it was tabled on November 4th. They called it one of the worst pieces of conservation legislation to come forward anywhere in Canada.

Our efforts helped kill the bill. The entire Liberal caucus opposed the bill and Tourism, Parks and Recreation Critic Harry Chase presented letter after letter from concerned Albertans who opposed the bill. This public backlash along with continued efforts forced the government’s hand. The bill was withdrawn.

The Alberta Liberal Caucus released two major policies during the fall session. One policy focused on the environment and the other focused on the crisis we are facing in healthcare. The environmental policy provides a strong balance between maintaining Alberta’s natural beauty while not compromising economic development. The health policy provides real world solutions and a concrete plan towards solving the ER crisis and ensuring that Albertans are never put into this situation again.

This contrasts with the government, which has announced and re-announced the same plans, with no real action ever taken. This government has a fixation on central control of all decisions across the province in healthcare delivery. This is a major part of the bottleneck that needs to be opened up to more regional control and decision-making. I am continuing to push for changes that will improve the regional delivery system. I have no confidence that this government understands how to improve the effectiveness of our services, and more and more Albertans and health professionals are saying the same thing. A poll done before Duckett’s dismissal and the ER crisis revealed less than 25% confidence in the government’s ability to manage the healthcare system. It is time for Albertans to become more involved in political change for Alberta. There’s a better way.

I am very interested in hearing your feedback on both the environment and healthcare policies. Please read them here:

Health Policy
Environment Policy

Get in touch with us via e-mail at: calgary.mountainview@assembly.ab.ca
Via phone at 403-216-5445
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On the Release of the New Environment Policy

Albertans are lucky to live in a province filled with such natural beauty. Our lakes, rivers, and streams along with the mountains and prairie grasslands make this a stunning place to live and for people to visit. We must ensure that our land, water, and air are healthy for our own benefit and for the benefit of future generations.

We all acknowledge that economic development is tremendously important, there is no question. It cannot occur unfettered and we must work with our industries to develop plans that benefit all Albertans. Our new environment policy respects economic growth while ensuring that Alberta remains a great place to live and raise a family.

This policy released by my Caucus and Laurie Blakeman, our Environment Critic sets real goals to achieve and not just empty platitudes. It promises to involve industry in the decision making process. It ensures that water remains of the highest importance and the property of all Albertans. It implements a hard cap on carbon emissions by 2017. Finally, it commits to growing the renewable energy sector and finding cleaner ways to provide power to all Albertans.

I am very interested to hear your feedback on this policy. You can find the whole document as well as a brief video at: http://tiny.cc/rwv59. Please contact my office with your feedback at 403-216-5445 or Calgary.mountainview@assembly.ab.ca.

The Kitimat Connection

Canada and Alberta need more markets for our oil and gas, and Enbridge’s plan to construct a pipeline to Kitimat would open up those markets for us. Combined with the Alberta Liberal plan to increase bitumen upgrading here in Alberta and western Canada, the pipeline would guarantee greater prosperity and economic security for all Canadians.

The federal Liberal plan to ban oil supertankers off Canada’s northwestern coast, diverting them to the port at Vancouver, is well-intentioned, but it would make the Kitimat project impossible. And even worse, the ban doesn’t serve the supposed goal of protecting the environment. Vancouver’s harbour is incredibly busy– a far riskier environment for spills than the less-used port at Kitimat.

If I were Premier, I would work with British Columbia to ensure this pipeline is built to the highest environmental and safety standards. And I would work with all Western Premiers to keep the economic benefits of upgrading here in Canada.

Progressive Cooperation

There’s an opportunity in Alberta for real political change. Albertans have lost trust in the Stelmach Conservatives and see a lurch to the Wildrose Alliance as a move from frying pan to fire. As the Conservatives fight I’m suggesting that we talk actively in the sensible center about the best way to achieve a centrist/progressive government in the next election. As the number one choice of progressive voters who want an alternative to the Tories it makes sense for the Alberta Liberals to take the lead with any cooperative venture among progressive and moderate parties.

Vote-splitting among progressive parties results in right-wing governments that don’t represent the majority of Albertans. It’s time for a new approach.

Our members voted in favour of closer “cooperation with other progressive political parties.” We respect our members and the principles of democracy and are doing what they asked us to do.

Any agreement on specific methods of cooperation will have to be approved by a vote of the party’s membership. This won’t be a back-room deal.

I am not so concened about right and left politics. I care more about right and wrong politics. How can we better reflect Albertans’ values and hopes for Alberta? That is what we should be giving our energy to.

I’m prepared to set aside our differences with other parties in search of a better way of governing this province. There’s a better way for us and for our children! Let’s work at it together.

Let’s Talk!

News from the ALP Convention: Resolution on Cooperation

The biggest news out of this weekend’s Alberta Liberal Party convention and annual general meeting was the passing of a resolution on “Cooperation with Other Political Parties.” I watched with a great deal of interest as both sides of the debate made their points and counterpoints. It was a very passionate and fascinating discussion. Contrary to some media reports, I abstained from the vote, as I wanted this question to be decided by the members of our party. I will follow the wisdom of the majority, who decided in favour of the motion.

What the resolution actually says, is not very specific. The contentious part of the resolution that laid out specific instructions was removed following an amendment by one of our longtime Liberal members. The resulting amended resolution was clearly more palatable to the majority of our members in attendance and this is what we will be working with in the coming weeks and months as we prepare for the election.

This is clearly a COOPERATION resolution calling for us to work with progressive parties and voters, including progressive Tories who are leaving the Progressive Conservative party of Alberta in droves, seeking an alternative.

We ARE that alternative. We ARE the ONLY centrist party in Alberta with policies in place and a structure out there in all 83 ridings across the province. It only makes sense that we would be the party to extend a hand and offer to work together.

It’s often said that I’m not a typical politician. I would like to suggest to you that this makes me the ideal person to introduce a new way of doing politics in Alberta, as urged by the resolution this weekend. It is a less confrontational kind of politics, one that puts the interests of the citizens of this province ahead of narrow partisan interests.

The Alberta Liberal Party under my leadership will work in earnest and with the full and open involvement of our membership, to bring people together so that we can form a new kind of government for this province, one we can all be proud of. This is what cooperation means and this is what any good government does.

Alberta Liberal Policy Convention

I am gearing up for a dynamic Alberta Liberal Party Policy Convention taking place this weekend in Edmonton. I am looking forward to a great opportunity to connect with Liberal members and discuss policy to take the party, and Alberta forward. The Friday keynote address is from Warren Kinsella who will give us his insight into political strategy. Over 40 new policy initiatives will be discussed at the Convention and I anticipate a great networking opportunity with our Liberal Team as well as a chance to enjoy the hospitality of the City of Edmonton.

I very much look forward to seeing you there; it will definitely be a great weekend!

Clean Governance Initiative

Today I unveiled an ambitious new plan aimed at improving governance and restoring the confidence of voters in Alberta. The Clean Governance Initiative is a 12 step plan with an aim to make Alberta MLAs more accountable and level the playing field during the course of elections. The initiative includes an independent and binding body determining the salaries and allowances of MLAs rather than MLAs themselves setting their own pay. In addition, all MLA expenses would become publically available online.

I want to encourage ‘whistleblowers’ who expose waste and corruption in government. An Alberta Liberal administration would appoint an independent ombudsman with the power to protect whistleblowers from job loss and other unfair consequences.

Democratic renewal is important to me and I want to regain trust as well as better engage the people in the political process. By offering a $50 tax credit to those who exercise their democratic right we are rewarding proper behavior as a citizen of Alberta. We hope that this incentive will improve voter turnout during provincial elections and entice voters to follow the issues of the campaign as well.

I am very keen to hear your questions and comments about this initiative and democracy in our province. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at Calgary.mountainview@assembly.ab.ca or 403-216-5445 to provide us with feedback on this plan.

Beginning a New Session in Legislature

The Legislative Assembly is set to begin Thursday, February 4th at 3pm. This is an exciting year of opportunities for the Alberta Liberal Caucus. As your MLA, and the Leader of the Official Opposition, I have heard from Albertans across the province that simply want common sense in our government!

We’re looking for a clear plan from the Stelmach administration. Where is a plan for dealing with serious problems in our economy, our energy sector, public services, education and health care?

Here’s what the Official Opposition will be focusing on during this session, as we roll out new policy on economy, healthcare and the environment:

Strengthening the Economy- Albertans have the right to expect responsible planning and disciplined spending, while protecting our basic human services. It’s time that this government was held accountable for decisions that have slowed our economic recovery and threatened our future stability.

I will work hard to see that the diversification of Alberta’s economy and energy plan remains a priority, while focusing on increasing the success of the oil and gas industry in this province on multiple stakeholder levels. The Alberta Liberal Caucus will be following up on Dave Taylor’s well-received policy on the oil and gas industry, launched last week. If you would like to read more about our new oil and gas policy for Alberta, please click here

Revitalizing Healthcare - It’s time to go BACK TO BASICS. Every Albertan deserves a family doctor, and all seniors in this province deserve quality affordable long-term care.

The Lieutenant (Health Minister) has changed, but the General (Mr Stelmach) remains the same. I’m afraid that we will see more serious problems in people’s ability to receive timely care from a health professional – including prevention.

Protecting Social Services – In these difficult economic times it is especially important that social services remain available for our society’s most vulnerable persons. Persons with developmental disability and their care-givers are reasonably upset by threats to reduce basic services, safety and health.

The Alberta Liberal Caucus has long challenged the Alberta government to provide more funding for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) support programs. We deeply disagree with the recent decision to force $6 million in cuts. It demonstrates this government’s willingness to sacrifice vital services for the bottom line.

Defending Education – A large part of my job is bringing forward the issues and concerns of my constituents – I have heard from students, parents, teachers, and trustees from within the constituency and across this province who are all concerned with impending funding cuts to the education system.

Education is the most basic investment we can make in our economic and social wellbeing. All students have the right to receive the best possible education. As Alberta’s Official Opposition, the Alberta Liberal Caucus will continue to challenge the Stelmach Administration to adequately fund the education of Alberta’s children, both K-12 and post-secondary.

In a time when there is so much wasteful government spending, there’s no justification to slash public health care, public education or crucially important programs, like those serving people with developmental disabilities. To read a listing of alternative cuts that an Alberta Liberal government would make, click here. We are interested in your thoughts on our proposal.

I want to hear from you and your ideas on how to make this great province of ours greater for all Albertans. Please contact me at: calgary.mountainview@assembly.ab.ca

David

New Oil and Gas Policies

An exciting day for Alberta Liberals. Our Energy Critic Dave Taylor announced our new Oil and Gas Policy, the first of a set of new policies that clarify and refine our Party position on this vital industry for Alberta and Canada. Dave’s
consultation process with the stakeholders in the oil and gas industries was long and detailed. His creation of our policy statement and the discussions behind it speak volumes about his dedication to the job at hand.

Our caucus is preparing additional policy announcements in the other critical areas of concern to Albertans, where the tired Stelmach regime has dropped the ball so badly.

Look for more policy announcements in coming weeks.

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.

Category Archives: Policy