Re: Smith’s misplaced rant, Red Deer Advocate, Wednesday, Nov. 14.
I agree with the opinion writer’s view that Alberta must meet its growing infrastructure needs now and into the future. However, as has been done since becoming a debt-free province in 2004, such needs can be met without mortgaging our children’s futures.
Being a debt-free province is a cherished accomplishment Albertans are proud of, which demonstrates our commitment to living within our means. In a province with resource revenues at $10 billion annually and a budget now over $40 billion, going back into debt is the result of economic incompetence and gross mismanagement.
A recent report by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, whose chairman is the Honourable former PC minister Jim Dinning, pegged Alberta as the province most at risk of default in 30 years. This independent report points to Alberta’s high and persistent deficit, rapid growth of our senior population, and the volatility of resource revenues. Anyone who thinks massive debt will improve our financial situation instead of cutting wasteful corporate welfare programs and MLA pay hikes needs to think again.
Alberta has spent $45 billion on infrastructure over the last eight years, double what other provinces pay per capita. To refuse to look at the way government does business to find cost savings is irresponsible.
The PC government would have us believe every penny they spend is well worth it, but the numbers tell a different story. Government could cancel the corporate welfare program for the unproven carbon capture and storage technology, worth $2 billion, and AOSTRA 2, worth another $3 billion. Government could also scale back the excessive pay and expense claims of senior officials.
Further, government should put an end to the outrageous eight per cent pay hike planned for MLAs. While running a record $3-billion deficit, MLAs certainly don’t deserve such a hefty raise.
Wildrose Official Opposition Leader Danielle Smith is right to draw attention to the PC government’s unsustainable economic model and utter economic incompetence, which threatens to change the fundamental character of our province.
Kerry Towle
MLA
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake