When I saw that Red Deer’s unemployment rate had spiked to 10 per cent – the highest of any municipality in Alberta – I was shocked but not surprised.
Sadly, there seemed to be no response from Red Deer’s NDP MLAs. Not a word of encouragement; not a promise of help to come; nothing.
Unfortunately, this is not a new occurrence. I have had many constituents from Red Deer come to my office and ask for assistance because they cannot get hold of their local MLA. Is it that they do not want to face the fact that risky NDP policies have made a bad situation worse for Albertans?
Red Deer is one of Alberta’s great economic hubs, a key intersection for energy activity and home to many young families. Red Deer deserves to know it has a government that’s on its side. But once again, the NDP is failing one of our most important communities.
This lack of government presence is not unique to Red Deer. From Athabasca to Lethbridge, we’re hearing about NDP MLAs who refuse to answer calls, hold meetings or show any accountability for their ideological ideas.
It’s no secret that NDP policies are hurting Red Deer’s economy. The region has seen increases to business and personal taxes, property taxes, beer taxes and the introduction of a carbon tax – the largest tax hike in Alberta history.
Business owners are facing a 50 per cent minimum wage hike. And workers are seeing their hours cut, if they haven’t been laid off completely.
Red Deer shares in the strength of Alberta’s energy, agriculture and business sectors. When these industries struggle, so does Red Deer.
Under the weight of NDP policies, Red Deer is having a tough go, but the lack of support from the local MLAs adds insult to injury.
Don MacIntyre, Wildrose MLA for Innisfail/Sylvan Lake