Editorial: Split endorsement in Alberta election a tough decision
April 21, 2012
After a fractious election campaign that has exposed the raw nerve of democracy at its shining best, it is clear that Alberta is in political transition. For the first time in almost two decades, the continued dominance of the 41-year-old Progressive Conservative dynasty in Alberta is not a given. It is being challenged by the upstart Wildrose Party — the first credible conservative alternative to the Tories since Peter Lougheed led his party to form a majority government on Aug. 30, 1971.
There is little doubt the Tory brand has been tarnished by a reputation for entitlement and arrogance. For its part, the Wildrose is largely untested. Several of its policies raise concerns, and remarks reflecting intolerance have been a distraction from its commitment to strong fiscal stewardship.
The Calgary Herald editorial board met with all five leaders of the political parties that have a sitting member in the legislature — the Alberta Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the New Democratic Party, the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta and the Wildrose Party. But in terms of who stands a chance to form government, the choice is between Alison Redford’s PCs and Danielle Smith’s Wildrose.
The editorial board, we believe, is a microcosm of the landscape we reflect. Like the Calgary and Alberta populace, we are split.
For the first time in decades — possibly ever — the editorial board could not reach a consensus with regard to whom we should endorse, the Conservatives or the Wildrose.
Despite holding a long, often impassioned but also circumspect discussion on Friday, we remained at an impasse. As a result, we are presenting the case both for the Progressive Conservative Party and for the Wildrose Party separately and urging Albertans to choose based on the issues that matter to them most when they head to the polls on Monday to determine who will govern this province for the next four years.
THE CASE FOR THE PCS: Smart, stable and sure: Redford is the best person to bring Alberta to the world
When she met with the Calgary Herald editorial board earlier this week, Alison Redford looked very much like a person who has been forced to wear the mantle of 41 years of Progressive Conservative rule. She was on the defensive, as is always the case with incumbents.
Near the end of her 45 minutes with us, she was asked about her hopes for a national energy strategy. She was convincing, unwavering and ultimately courageous on an issue that strikes an unjustified fear in the hearts and minds of some Albertans.
She made a strong case for a kind of national and international diplomacy that for far too long has been missing in the often parochial political landscape of Alberta.
“We can’t live in isolation in this province,” the premier said. “We have to know that everything we do is a part of giving us our social licence to operate.”
This is a bold statement by an Alberta premier, and one that may go to the very crux of what is at stake in Monday’s election.
While some Albertans harbour romantic visions of protecting the policies and wealth of the province through firewalls, most want to see an inclusive Alberta that is a strong member of a united Canada and a major player on the world’s stage, promoting our technology, expertise and natural resources.
In a global economy, being insular is simply counter-productive and, in the long run, will damage the future prosperity of this province.
Building a commonality with the rest of Canada, and ultimately the world, is in the best interest of a modern Alberta that is tired of being characterized by old stereotypes.
Redford is unlike anything Alberta has seen in decades — incredibly smart, bilingual, forward-looking and focused on the big picture.
Many feel threatened by this human rights lawyer with an impressive international resume. She has engaged other provinces, such as Quebec, in conversations that have even stunned people like Quebec Premier Jean Charest, who tweeted: “Can she coach the Habs?” Her opponents have taken this as a sign of weakness. Instead, it is an incredible strength.
The party that Redford has inherited is burdened with much baggage.
Preston Manning, writing on these pages this week of impending change, used the analogy of a broom for “spring cleaning” at the Alberta Legislature. Oddly, it is Redford who has wielded just such a broom, sweeping out much of an old guard that is nervous of her progressive views.
“There are political parties out there who are talking about change who are made up of a lot of people who used to be members of this party 20 years ago,” former premier Peter Lougheed recently said in an interview, adding that what Redford is attempting to do is “exceptionally important.”
In her scant six months as premier, Redford has erred, as any new leader, of any party, will do.
Her vision, however, is grand and not easily articulated in sound bites.
Alison Redford deserves a chance to bring that vision forward to Alberta, to Canadians, and to the world.
THE CASE FOR WILDROSE: Danielle Smith has a bold plan that plays to Alberta’s strengths and character
The Wildrose party grew organically out of the fertile ground of Progressive Conservative arrogance and failed policies. Specifically, it sprouted forth after former premier Ed Stelmach clobbered the oil and gas industry by tearing up contracts and hiking royalty taxes, which destabilized Alberta and sent capital scurrying to other markets.
As Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith — who for decades was a devoted Tory — says, conservatives didn’t leave the PCs, the PCs left them.
The Tories have passed five deficit budgets in a row. Every year, spending increases, but health-care outcomes have gotten progressively sicker.
One need only look to Europe and the U.S. to recognize deficits ultimately lead to financial disaster. As Smith points out, had the Tories stuck to her plan of increasing spending only by the rate of inflation and population growth — something she plans to legislate — Alberta would still be running balanced and even surplus budgets.
Returning this province to fiscal responsibility is the first order of business for the Wildrose party. Besides balancing the books, a Wildrose government has a set plan on what to do with any budget surpluses, including growing the Heritage Fund. In addition, one-fifth of any surplus — after all social programs are funded — will be returned to Albertans in the form of an energy dividend, now dubbed “Dani Dollars.”
While controversial, this payment is positive for several reasons. It benefits the poor most of all and leaves less money for the government to waste.
And there’s been plenty of that after four decades of Tory rule. A Wildrose government would immediately cut MLA pay by 30 per cent and eliminate the obscene MLA transition allowance. No longer will MLAs be paid for being on a committee that never meets.
The party’s Accountability Act would remedy much of the corruption and entitlement that has marred the PC legacy. On April 9, the Centre for Law and Democracy ranked Alberta last in its study of comparative government transparency. Smith says the Wildrose would reverse the onus on access to government information. After all, the best disinfectant is sunlight.
Citizen-initiated referendums, the right to recall crooked MLAs and other measures will help ensure that unchecked government arrogance and unpopular measures will not take place. These measures cannot, like their critics claim, be used to take away the rights of minorities. In B.C., for instance, the Harmonized Sales Tax was overturned by referendum. Smith has repeatedly said her party will never legislate on moral issues like abortion and gay marriage, stating that she is “pro-choice and pro gay marriage.”
Intolerant comments by two Wildrose candidates — while distasteful — will not impact Wildrose governance and are not dissimilar to comments made by Tories in the past.
During her Tuesday meeting with the editorial board, Smith spoke passionately about how she always tries to “find areas of common ground.” It’s how she’s been able to build a credible challenge to a 41-year political dynasty in four years. Unlike PC Leader Alison Redford, Smith doesn’t think Alberta needs to change its character.
“I think Alberta’s pretty exemplary and we should continue to be who were are — a province that will lead the country and the world.”
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Oil has fed my family, bought my house and vehicles and most everything I have for better than 30 years, and continues to do so. I am not ashamed to say it either. I am proud to have worked Drilling Rigs for the better part of my life. It takes a special breed of person to work outside from 30 above to -50 and spend 2/3 of your time away from home, year in and year out. And no range control shutting things down because it is to hot or cold.
