Kevin Taft, Alberta Liberals continue to work hard as campaign’s final week approaches
Calgary – With Albertans heading to the polls in eight days, Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft says his party will continue to work hard to gets its policies out to Albertans.
The Alberta Liberals made some major announcements this week, including promises to boost the wages of child care workers and build a new cancer centre in Calgary. They also released the costing details of the Alberta Liberal platform, which outlined plans to reallocate current spending towards the priorities of Albertans.
“The Stelmach government spends more than any government in Canada, but still doesn’t deliver on the priorities of Albertans,” said Taft. “People are still waiting days for surgery or for a bed in the emergency room, and many schools are still badly in need of repair. We spend 35 per cent more per capita than Ontario, yet we get far less.”
“Our health care system is in constant crisis mode. Gridlock eats up more and more time of commuters in Calgary and Edmonton. Post-secondary tuition is among the highest in the country, and qualified students can’t get into universities or colleges because of a shortage of space.”
“Under our plan, we’ll reallocate current spending to make sure we’re getting the most for every dollar spent, and that we’re spending on the priorities of the people of this province.”
“The Tories run the most bloated, spend-happy government in Canada. We don’t need to spend more, we need to spend smarter.”
“We don’t need $14 million a year for government spin doctors in the Public Affairs Bureau, and we don’t need to give away $60 million a year to the horseracing industry. That’s money we will spend on the properly budgeted, reviewed and legislated priorities of the people of Alberta.”
Taft said that many people along the campaign trail have talked to him about the importance of investing in Alberta’s future.
“More Albertans are realizing we can’t afford to let the Tories squander our heritage any longer. How many billions have flowed through the government’s coffers since the start of the boom, and what do we have to show for it?”
“The Alberta Liberals are the only party with a real plan for investing in Alberta’s future, through setting aside a portion of our annual resource revenues.”
The week was also highlighted by the Leaders’ Debate on Thursday. Commentators described Taft’s debate as premier-like, displaying a commanding grasp of the issues and a clear vision for the future. Taft spoke off-the-cuff from notes, while Stelmach stuck to his media team’s script.
Polling trends released recently by Insight newsletter show PC support at 40 per cent and falling, while Alberta Liberal support is at 30 per cent and rising.
“All across this province, people have been telling me it’s time for change. Not with the same tired Stelmach Tories, but with a party that has the vision and the leadership to create permanent prosperity.”
“The Alberta Liberals have a plan to get the job done right.”
Alberta Liberals commit $800 million to Calgary Ring Road
Calgary – Kevin Taft and an Alberta Liberal government will commit $800 million towards the construction of the South West Calgary Ring Road.
“The Stelmach Tories have been dithering on the construction of this crucial infrastructure for too long,” said Taft. “If a government isn’t meeting the basic needs of its citizens, then what on earth is it good for?”
Taft said the current government’s repeated delays on getting the ring road built are another indicator of a government that has stopped listening to its citizens.
“This is the same government that blew up a hospital in this city and has delayed for a decade on building a new one. It’s the same government that has dithered on building badly needed schools, and failed to shorten waiting times in our hospitals by training more health professionals.”
“It’s time to end the wasteful spending habits of this government. Albertans deserve a government that spends on Albertans’ priorities.”
Funding for the Calgary Ring Road was included in the costing announcement the Alberta Liberals made last Friday. It falls within the Alberta Liberal plan for partnering more closely with cities, and giving them access to secure and predictable funding for major infrastructure.
“The Alberta Liberals are committed to doing public business in public,” said Taft. “The Tories will carry on in their typical way of making deals behind closed doors, then bringing spending decisions to the Legislature after the fact.”
“This is unacceptable. Even poker players have their chips on the table. The Alberta Liberals will be accountable to Albertans by making major decisions in public, and by properly resourcing those decisions.”
Taft said the Alberta Liberals will work closely with the Tsuu T’ina Nation to reach agreement on using the Nation’s land for a portion of the ring road.
“We will be approaching this discussion in good faith, and with an understanding of the importance of this land to the Tsuu T’ina Nation. The Alberta Liberal Party is committed to reaching an agreement that benefits everyone. We’re going to proceed with respect and equity.”
“Resourcing this priority is a demonstration that we’re serious about getting a ring road built.”
As described in Friday’s platform costing announcement by the Alberta Liberals, the $800 million will come from the Sustainability Fund, which was originally intended as a $2.5 billion contingency fund in case of a natural disaster or other emergency. The Tories have been using the Sustainability Fund as a convenient way to stash extra surplus dollars outside of proper legislative control, and it now stands at $7.7 billion.
“The higher price to pay here is in not acting,” said Taft. “The real cost is in the untold hours that Calgarians will spend locked in traffic, when they could be at home with their families, or at work contributing to the economy. The cost is also in rising greenhouse gas emissions as hundreds of cars sit idle in traffic.”
“The Alberta Liberals have a plan that will get the job done right for a change. We’re ready to get to work on addressing Albertans’ needs and priorities.”
Campaign 2008 -- Week 3 in review: Viewers speak out on Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft’s debate performance
Edmonton – Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft continued to build momentum going into the homestretch of the 2008 election campaign. Most indicators and experts say Taft swayed viewers.
Here’s the results of various media online polls the day after the leaders’ debate, of viewers’ opinions on who won (as of 6 p.m., Feb. 22):
CFCN-Calgary
Kevin Taft – 43%
Ed Stelmach – 32%
Brian Mason – 9%
Paul Hinman – 16%
CFRN-Edmonton
Kevin Taft – 68%
Ed Stelmach – 16%
Brian Mason – 7%
Paul Hinman – 4%
CHED- Edmonton
Kevin Taft – 42%
Ed Stelmach – 27%
Brian Mason – 7%
Paul Hinman – 17%
QR77-Calgary
Kevin Taft – 49%
Ed Stelmach – 8%
Brian Mason – 18%
Paul Hinman – 17%
Again, Taft pressed forward with the Alberta Liberals’ agenda with major announcements on health care, post-secondary education, child care and platform costing. In announcing his platform costs, Taft highlighted the Stelmach PC’s blind spot: its record of bloated, unplanned spending. Instead, the Alberta Liberal plan will reallocate funds to fix Alberta’s priorities – investing where the money will do the most good – rather than spending more.
In other news, Mark Lisac, publisher of the well-respected Insight newsletter, updated polling trends yesterday to portray the current public opinion environment based on recent polls. It showed PC support at 40% and falling and Alberta Liberal support at 30% and rising.
Here’s what the media had to say:
· The Alberta Liberals … kept their word yesterday, releasing a package that showed the party's election promises will top $1.6 billion. But rather than commit to new spending, the party said it would find that money by ferreting out waste - at least 5% of the total $33 billion Alberta spends per year. The party would also freeze spending at current rates plus inflation, and would try to carve back more than that 5%.” (Edmonton Sun, February 23, 2008)
“You could argue Liberal Leader Kevin Taft was the most dynamic and passionate [during the leaders’ debate]. He also seemed to be the one leader who was clearly enjoying himself. During the commercial breaks he would joke with the journalists on the panel while Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach huddled intently with a couple of his advisors.” (Edmonton Journal, Graham Thomson, February 23, 2008)
“Who was the most personable, the most friendly, the most at ease? I think it was Kevin Taft of the Liberals by a long shot,” (Bruce Foster, CFCN-TV Calgary, February 22, 2008)
“I thought that Kevin Taft put in a really good performance. I think he looked like a premier-in-waiting. He looked comfortable and animated, and he got his message across,” (Doreen Barrie, University of Calgary professor, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· “Kevin tries a little too hard on the dramatic side but, to his credit, he does not bury himself in egghead obscurity. He is clear. In fact, he repeats how the Tories have to be held to account for their record.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 22, 2008)
“I think Taft came out really well. He had a lot of connectable language. He seemed to be talking honestly. He was very passionate… The debate helped me figure out who I would ask to go for a beer with. Taft is colourful, I would probably like to go out for a drink with the guy…. I think probably the strongest was Taft because he had a bit more personality and I think he did really well in overcoming his previous persona, which was the academic egghead. He came out warm and friendly, certainly more than Ed [Stelmach].” (Matthew Blimke, academic adviser for native studies at the U of A, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· “[Taft is] the only leader showing positive momentum in the polls, he had a chance to impress large numbers of voters, and perhaps shove Tory support into serious decline. Well aware of the stakes, Taft came charging into the ring right from the start, clenching his fists theatrically as he talked about grabbing the future.” (Don Braid, Calgary Herald, February 22, 2008)
· “Were you unable to picture Kevin Taft as premier? The [Alberta] Liberal leader probably made his aspiration believable even to those who don’t care for the policy alternatives he offered. Defying Mason’s attempts to paint the [Alberta] Liberals as a sort of corporate-backed Tweedledum to the Tories’ Tweedledee, Taft insisted that the best way of protecting jobs is to be more aggressive on climate change, not less so, and rather effectively claimed that an estimated $1 billion environmental charge is not so large in a $244-billion provincial economy.” (Editorial, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· [Alberta] Liberal Leader Kevin Taft managed to shed his professorial demeanour to deliver an animated denunciation of how the Progressive Conservatives have ‘dropped the ball’ on problems associated with growth. He became particularly animated on the state of health care. ‘People are dying while we sit here and debate.’” (Fort McMurray Today, February 22, 2008)
· “The other thing that [Kevin Taft] did well, and from the beginning, is he talked to people. Like, if you noticed when he was talking, he was talking to the panelists and actually making contact and he was the only one of the four that, for example in their 45 second opening, didn’t use a speech. He didn’t use notes, and it made a difference.”(Bob Hooey , Executive Speech Consultant, Breakfast Television—City TV, February 22, 2008)
“Liberal Leader Kevin Taft has skillfully positioned himself as king of the concrete jungle, with an election promise to give Edmonton and Calgary their own charters… Raising the provocative idea of more municipal autonomy strategically shows Taft as a leader who gets the needs of Alberta's cities, where two-thirds of the population reside… Taft's idea is worthy of some vigorous debate and working out those details.” (Editorial, Calgary Herald, February 18, 2008)
“The Liberal platform is, by a long shot, the only one that respects the true meaning of the word ‘plan.’” (Todd Babiak, Edmonton Journal, February 19, 2008)
“Taft has been providing intelligent plans for the province for years, while Klein provided none…Frankly it's Taft's intelligence that has drawn so many of us former Conservatives to back him.” (Letter to the editor from Alan Spiller, St. Albert Gazette, February 16, 2008)
And it was another week of campaign train wrecks for PC Leader Ed Stelmach:
“The oil and gas industry feels betrayed from this government, and that's reflected in the amount of money we [the PC party] can't raise. About 70 per cent of our money we traditionally raise out of Calgary, so when you see a big drop in the Calgary fundraising, it hurts.” (Anonymous PC finance committee member, Canadian Press, February 22, 2008)
“If we can't get the voters to like us, we'll scare the hell out of them. Heck, worked for the federal Liberals… Kevin will be cast as the taxer, the spender, the controller of citizens and might even be linked to ... gasp, hiss, where are the pitchforks ... Trudeau and his ... wait for it ... N ... E ...P. Now that's an original attack. Not.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 23, 2008)
“[Stelmach is] warning darkly that tougher measures ‘will destroy 335,000 jobs for 600,000 new Albertans.’ That kind of sweeping, unsupported assertion is hardly conducive to informed debate.” (Edmonton Journal opinion, February 23, 2008)
Re: Stelmach’s claim that reducing CO2 emissions in the oil sands will cost 335,000 jobs in Alberta: “It's an important topic, not only because it touches on the environment, but because it deals with Stelmach's self-described image as Mr. Honesty/Integrity/Sincerity. Is that 335,000 figure real? Or, more likely, is it scaremongering? He never answered [Kim] Trynacity's question, using his 45 seconds to talk in generalities.” (Graham Thomson, Edmonton Journal, February 23, 2008)
· “Simply reciting his accomplishments into the record since winning the PC leadership 14 months ago may not have been enough to convince a large number of unconvinced Albertans that he - or any of the others - is the best man for the job.” (Neil Waugh, Edmonton Sun, February 22, 2008)
“Stelmach kept saying, ‘This is what I did,’ but he didn't talk about what he's going to do. When we're in an election, we're not looking back, we're looking forward.” (Matthew Blimke, academic adviser for native studies at the U of A, Edmonton Journal, February 22, 2008)
· "Stelmach just continued to show that his government continues to be out of touch…with the average Albertan. He kept talking about 'change' and what they've done, and as an average Albertan, he's done nothing that's helped me.” (David Hartwick, Coventry Hills resident, Calgary Herald, February 22, 2008)
· “It was still a limp performance from a leader whose personal approval rating has been sinking since the start of the campaign. This debate was probably Stelmach's last chance to show real vision, passion, and leadership. Some people might think he did; but if they're a majority, Alberta truly has an advanced case of low political expectations.” (Don Braid, Calgary Herald, February 22, 2008)
· “When you’re getting bushwhacked by your own help, there is something seriously wrong in Toryland.” (Neil Waugh, Edmonton Sun, February 21, 2008)
“There are these Ed moments…he can't string together a sentence, looks like a deer in headlights.” (David Taras, political analyst at the University of Calgary, Calgary Herald, February 21, 2008)
· “Some Tories, I argued, would be happy to see Stelmach lose many seats -- though not the government -- so they'd have an excuse to call a leadership review and replace him with a proper Calgary leader. Prognostications of such sorts are always risky. But these days, I'm feeling pretty farsighted.” (Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal, February 23, 2008)
· The Tories were actually bragging about [the annual surplus above $4 billion] on Tuesday, at the very moment the [Calgary Health Region] popped up and said: ‘We're jammed and we're broke -- help!’ One endlessly surprising Stelmachian quality is the Tory leader's tin ear for dangerous political situations (never mind dangerous medical ones). He just doesn't seem to see them coming.” (Don Braid, Calgary Herald, February 21, 2008)
· "’I've heard they have some urgent needs,’ says Ed, of the Calgary Health Region. No kidding, Sherlock.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 21, 2008)
· “Advocates blast Stelmach government for ignoring long-term care needs…The seniors task force of Public Interest Alberta and the Seniors' Action and Liaison Team released reports slamming the province for inadequately funding care and turning much of it over to the private sector… ‘It's about the broken promises, the government has said there will be things available and there will be support, but it hasn't happened.’ [said Chris Swaren, a United Church Minister] (Edmonton Journal, February 21, 2008)
“Ed Stelmach, a Klein veteran of 13 years' standing, is masquerading as the embodiment of change. Steddie is pretending that this is Year Zero, an astonishing repudiation of the record of his former boss (and of himself), who won four consecutive majorities.” (See Magazine, February 21, 2008)
“Stelmach's increased popularity apparently depends on Albertans seeing him as anamiable amateur, a political outsider rather than an old establishment pro. Voters are being asked to believe that the premier's résumé doesn't count and that if he does have any experience, he is very sorry about it.” (See Magazine, February 21, 2008)
“Funny thing about chickens. They do come home to roost and no one talks anymore about how smart it was to close hospitals in a growing city, like the Tories did. No one pretends fewer beds will somehow bring more care, like the Tories did.” (Rick Bell, Calgary Sun, February 20, 2008)
“I can't give you positive slogans here, because Ed is not overwhelming, Ed is not impressive, and Ed is not leading people flocking to his party.” (Peter McCormick, political scientist at the University of Lethbridge, Edmonton Journal, February 20, 2008)
“Today, Ed Stelmach, the Premier of Alberta, may find he's short one helpful favour himself, after his predecessor Ralph Klein, remarking on a report he co-authored for the Fraser Institute that was released yesterday, suggested in the most polite terms possible that the new guy doesn't quite get how to maintain Alberta's economic energy engine.” (Kevin Libin, National Post, February 20, 2008)
“Student leaders, however, said more aggressive financial measures are needed, while opposition parties and some political analysts derided Stelmach's Family Day announcement as doing little to ease the mounting financial crunch facing students in Alberta.” (Calgary Herald, February 19, 2008)
“[Keith Brownsey, political science professor at Mount Royal College] doesn't believe the Tory plan for post-secondary will have a big impact. ‘It seems to be another instance of announcing the same policy a dozen times.’” (Calgary Herald, February 19, 2008)
* “Stelmach and Culture Minister Hector Goudreau released their cultural policy in late January, before they called the election, with some ambitious goals. Yet the government only pledged $12 million in new lottery funding to a plan that, if implemented earnestly, will cost exponentially more.” (Todd Babiak, Edmonton Journal, February 19, 2008)
· “It was another rocky week for Conservative Premier Ed Stelmach on the campaign trail, with environmentalists and a returning officer controversy dogging his every move.” (Edmonton Journal, February 18, 2008)
· “Let's not let ourselves be hypnotized by the poetic alliteration of Stelmach's latest mantra, ‘Greening Our Growth.’ A more accurate epitaph for this public land giveaway would be ‘Robbing Our Residents’ or ‘Burying Our Burrowing Owls.’” (Joyce Hildebrand, Edmonton Journal, February 18, 2008)
· “Stelmach has felt the wrath of cranky voters during the first two weeks of the campaign: moms in Red Deer were unhappy about a lack of quality day-care spaces; oil and gas workers in Drayton Valley vented their frustrations over the royalty plan; and seniors in Strathmore demanded a new long-term-care facility.” (Calgary Herald, February 17, 2008)
Alberta Liberals would help Edmonton get the 23rd Avenue interchange built
South Edmonton traffic flow a chronic problem ignored by PCs, Edmonton-Rutherford’s Rick Miller says
Edmonton – Traffic flow in Edmonton’s south side has been paralyzed for years, and the Alberta Liberals are the only party with a plan to do anything about it.
The Alberta Liberals will invest $1.05 billion more than the PCs in Alberta’s crumbling infrastructure if elected. Of that, the party is committed to investing up to $130 million to help the City of Edmonton get the 23rd Avenue interchange built, thus freeing up the City to invest into other essential municipal projects like LRT expansion and Quesnell Bridge improvements.
“Ed Stelmach had an opportunity to get the job done right and get Edmonton’s traffic moving when he was Ralph Klein’s infrastructure minister,” said Alberta Liberal Edmonton-Rutherford candidate Rick Miller, the party’s shadow finance minister in the last Legislature running for re-election.
“Instead, Klein did nothing, Stelmach did nothing, Dave Hancock did nothing. The PCs did nothing. They knew what needed to be done, and they did nothing,” Miller said. “The south end of the city has been struggling with traffic snarls for the better part of a decade as a result. It’s time to get the job done right.”
Local residents and city councilors have been asking for the province to step in on this essential infrastructure project, one that is critical to the economic well-being of Edmonton and the whole province.
“Edmontonians are well aware that the Stelmach PCs have let them down not only on this project, but on properly supporting our health care system and the professionals who make it work, post-secondary education and training, auto insurance and protecting the environment,” Miller said. “The Alberta Liberals are ready to take the leadership this province needs to go from a government on auto-pilot to a government with energy, priorities and vision.”
“If Ed Stelmach wants this election to be a referendum on his government’s record, south Edmonton residents will certainly judge him on his inaction on the 23rd Avenue interchange.”
Tory platform costing: Even more bloated spending, even less accountability, and still no plan for the future
Edmonton – The struggling PC campaign’s debate-night stunt of finally releasing their costing has blown up in bumbling leader Ed Stelmach’s face.
Out of 70 commitments, only 28 have dollar figures next to them. Over half the commitments of the PC platform will be paid for through “ongoing commitments,” “policy initiatives,” or will be determined later.
The Tory costing priorities would continue the long-standing practice of burning through Alberta’s resource revenue without a plan to save for future generations.
Here are the highlights and low-lights:
$40 million to support Alberta’s bid to host the National Portrait Gallery – it’s a gallery, Ed, not the Olympic Games!
$12 million over four years for another committee to study homelessness. How many more committees do you need to tell you what you should already know?
$250 million over four years to attract 225 new physician spaces – something Stelmach’s own Health Minister Dave Hancock said "We can't do that," (Edmonton Sun, February 7, 2008)
$120 million over four years to “help tenants faced with unaffordable rents” – You might as well call this the landlord slush fund.
NOTHING for clean energy – clean energy technologies, the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund, ensuring emissions regulations inspire new technologies that reduce CO2 emission – they’re all listed, but have a big goose-egg beside them.
NOTHING for monitoring water use, water storage, connected use of ground and surface water, and water re-use – apparently they’ll be paid for through “policy initiative.”
* NOTHING for carbon capture storage – this is one of the PCs marquee plans to combat climate change, but there’s no costs associated with it in the platform costing.
You can’t trust Ed Stelmach to shoot straight on the numbers. It’s time for a change to get the job done right.