Alberta’s Wildrose party hosted a meet-and-greet at the Chestermere Landing Events Centre on Nov. 20, giving supporters the opportunity to hear Danielle Smith, leader of the official opposition, discuss some of the recent announcements the PC government made during the Alberta throne speech on Nov. 17.
“It was very interesting to see how many of the themes that were brought out are the exact same things we’ve been advocating for since I became leader of the party,” Smith said to an audience of approximately 150 people at the event.
“The problem we can all see with the government is that they have these grand aspirations that get laid out in the throne speech, but they have a hard time when it comes to actual execution.”
According to Smith, the announced promises of fiscal responsibility and discipline, ensuring international markets for Alberta’s energy, effecting private property rights, environmental stewardship and efficient key social programs are all priorities of the Wildrose party.
“The throne speech basically said, ‘we are going to be more accountable, we are going to be more transparent, we are going to be building more schools’ – effectively, all we’ve been begging for and suggesting for years,” said Chestermere-Rocky View MLA Bruce McAllister.
“The problem with politicians is that when you say one thing and do another, people become skeptical.”
These promises have already been made by Premier Jim Prentice and his predecessors, said Smith, adding she is still waiting to see results. She said she plans to hold the government to their word during the next four weeks in legislature.
“Whenever we see a new premier, Albertans are willing to give that person a chance,” she said. “I think we are already seeing early signs that this new management is going to be exactly the same as the old management. I think there is a huge appetite in Alberta for change, and I think we want to change.”
According to Smith, with the projected growth in Alberta and the drop in oil prices to $70, a main concern with the current government is debt management. She said Alberta needs to find a way to manage the growth in a fiscally responsible way, and doesn’t feel the Prentice government will be capable.
“If we start borrowing now to build infrastructure, we are never going to get out of debt, and we will never pay it back,” she said.
“We don’t think we should be saddling future generations with all that debt.”
McAllister said he is concerned the government will increase taxes to make up for the lack of oil revenue. According to McAllister, Albertans expect more from their government, and he plans to “hold their feet to the fire” on the issue.
“We are charged and stoked to be back in session, and we will keep doing what we do and represent Albertans,” he said. “If anything, we’ve been too effective. This is now our fourth premier in the last couple of years – it’s been a revolving door.
