“Over the decades, Alberta lost focus, they expected their resource boom never to end, failed to diversify their economy and lost control of government spending.” – 2016 British Columbia throne speech
That’s fine Christy – you are so correct but not in a speech from the throne. This kind of talk may be all right in political rhetoric but the throne speech is a sacred document – they may be the words of the government but they are spoken through the mouth of the monarch. The throne speech should be about the plans of the government for the coming session and need to be spoken in a diplomatic non-partisan tone.
That makes for three strikes, Christy. First, you threw down the gauntlet over the Northern Gateway Pipeline, essentially bringing it to its knees even though the National Energy Board approved the project and its alignment, albeit with in excess of 200 conditions.
Then, just recently you condemned the TransMountain pipeline that was to parallel an existing line from Edmonton to Burnaby. Yes, this decision supported opposition from Vancouver and area mayors, environmentalists and native groups but surely your government should be taking a broader, more objective viewpoint.
The Rocky Mountains have once again become not just the continental divide but the political divide, yet you claim to be on good relations with Alberta. Not any more, you have just upset four million Albertans – well, everyone except the environmental lobby. This attack comes like a declaration of war and Premier Rachel Notley has her gun ready in her holster at her side.
And you expect to get support from Alberta and the rest of the country for your LNG plans at Kitimat? Don’t hold your breath! Although truthfully, I doubt that the LNG projects will get off the ground due to the intransigence of your government in your continual delays and the current price of commodities.
Yes, Alberta has lost our focus and has a huge spending problem, and we have just introduced a new tax regime. We have had a carbon tax since 2007; a year before B.C., and ours is probably just as revenue neutral as you claim yours to be. We will recover. Albertans are known for our resiliency. We’ve looked in the mirror and recognize our past mistakes.
We still have the lowest debt per capita in the country and one of the best credit ratings in North America. And we still have a $17-billion Heritage Fund put away for future generations. Albertans are known for our generosity to standard charitable giving as well as helping our neighbours through low interest loans, not to speak of the billions of dollars that go into the equalization fund from Alberta taxpayers.
Yes Christy, we may be down but we’ve been down before and we will recover and look out; Alberta will outpace B.C. by taking the high road and not using our throne speech to slam our neighbours.
Ken Allred is a former St. Albert alderman and MLA.
