Skip to content

Early days, full of promises

In Alberta’s new politics, the ball bounces so quickly it’s hard to follow the trajectory, let alone consider where it was a bounce or two ago.Perhaps Premier Alison Redford is throwing one idea out after an other, reversing one Stelmach- or Klein-era policy after another, because so much simply needs to be done.
Our_View_March_2009
Array

In Alberta’s new politics, the ball bounces so quickly it’s hard to follow the trajectory, let alone consider where it was a bounce or two ago.

Perhaps Premier Alison Redford is throwing one idea out after an other, reversing one Stelmach- or Klein-era policy after another, because so much simply needs to be done.

Last week, Energy Minister Ted Morton asked the Alberta Utilities Commission to “suspend or adjourn” the approval process for proposed power lines, including the Edmonton area’s Heartland line and two north-south projects. Hours later, Redford intervened: the Heartland project will proceed but two contentious lines through Central Alberta (east and west of Hwy 2) will be reviewed.

Critics of the split decision say the Heartland project makes no sense without north-south lines, so questions remain about the course of power transmission in this province. And the upgrade of lines in this area, the Red Deer Region Transmission System project, is still on the books. The Alberta Utilities Commission is now seeking public input on that project.

These huge, lightning-rod projects require a great deal of examination, and sober second thought is welcome.

But many questions remain about their futures, and how the province will even examine their futures.

As quickly as the news fell that just the two most controversial projects were stalled, the gaffe was shrugged off and the Redford team was back to business of transition, rapid-fire style.

And as much as the announcements often made sense, they also often seemed off the cuff or premature. The approach seemed to be to keep moving and keep changing the focus of public discussion on government policy.

In no particular order in recent days, we have heard:

l The much-embraced judicial inquiry into health-care failings may be something less than promised. Redford says she will wait for a report from the Health Quality Council before deciding how to proceed. The council is expected to deliver in February its report on delays in care delivery and allegations of doctor intimidation.

l Albertans want safer roads, and more stringent impaired driving laws could help accomplish that, the premier says.

l The planned sale of native grassland in Southern Alberta, twice pushed by Ed Stelmach’s government, has been scrapped. The 6,500-hectare parcel at the heart of the potato-gate scandal, which sparked such outrage, will remain in its natural state.

l A promise to establish fixed election dates still hangs in the air. Redford promises open discussion.

l Alberta intends to aggressively expand its foreign offices, primarily to attract business and investment, but also lobby on Alberta’s behalf (on issues like the oilsands).

l The province intends to be back in the black in two years, after five years of deficit budgets. A surplus is forecast for 2013-14, despite the funding promises for education and other programs already planned.

l A change in the delivery of government services is promised, with a reduction of red tape. But Redford also promises to protect essential services.

l The annual meeting of the standing committee that oversees the $15-billion Heritage Savings Trust Fund is streamed live on the Internet, members engage in online discussion and new transparency is heralded.

l The Alberta Investment Management Corp. sells $17.5 million in tobacco industry stock as the province prepares to file a lawsuit against the tobacco industry.

Redford’s personal approval rating according to a recent Angus Reid poll is a muscular 55 per cent. And her Progressive Conservative party enjoys 44 per cent support (the closest challenger is the Wildrose Party at 22 per cent).

But none of that will mean much a year from now, if Albertans go to the polls realizing the heady early days of Redford’s government, so full of promise (and promises), did not produce results.

John Stewart is the Advocate’s managing editor.