The Progressive Conservative government will focus on strengthening families and communities, securing Alberta’s economic future, and developing natural resources properly, said Premier Alison Redford on Thursday.
Speaking before about 500 people attending the Central Alberta Leader’s Dinner at Sheraton Red Deer Hotel, the Progressive Conservative leader said these will be the government’s top three priorities as part of its long-range plans.
She said she is a strong supporter for preventative policing measures, including the pilot program tracking domestic violence offenders with GPS ankle monitoring devices in Red Deer.
“Domestic violence destroys lives,” said Redford. “We will do everything we can to stamp it out.”
Redford said her government is pouring millions of dollars into new schools, including three in Red Deer and one in Penhold. Plus, it’s invested in $10 million towards classroom and lab upgrades at Red Deer College.
There’s also upgrades, including the purchase of new buses, to help with Red Deer’s traffic gridlock problems, Redford said.
The province has also poured money into the $46-million Central Alberta Cancer Care Centre set to open next spring in Red Deer.
“Investing in long-term infrastructure, whether it’s schools, hospitals...these are all projects that the opposition promised to mothball, but not on our watch,” said Redford, alluding to last spring’s election campaign.
The Wildrose Party maintained during the election that it would not kibosh the cancer centre project.
Redford said the government will secure Alberta’s economic future through its recently introduced results-based budgeting. Every year, it will scrutinize one-third of government spending and then reset department budgets to zero.
“We will not balance the budget on the backs of municipalities,” said Redford. “We promised three years of stable and predictable funding and that’s exactly what you will get. We will not compromise on the quality of life of Albertans.”
The government’s third priority will involve the full development of the province’s natural resources by private economic means, but also providing adequate returns to Albertans.
“This is about achieving the outcomes that Albertans expect from resource development that’s fair, responsible and in the common interest,” said Redford.
She said a single regulator will be created, one that will have the responsibility to protect Alberta’s beauty and hold industry accountable to communities and landowners. Legislation will be brought forward this fall, with the intent to have this regulator in place by 2013.
Following the dinner, Redford responded to news media questions about the provincial budget for 2013.
“In this difficult economic climate, this fiscal year, we have always projected a $950-million deficit. We know that next year, we could either balance or be in surplus —now that’s a little uncertain because that’s a part of the budget process.”
Redford said the government is still committed to not being in deficit for 2013-2014.
When asked whether Red Deer College could become a university, as the college would like, Redford said she’s pleased with the progress that has been made at the institution.
Knowing she was on her way to Red Deer, she got in touch with Alberta Advanced Education and Enterprise Minister Steve Khan.
“I made a commitment that it was important for Red Deer College to be a degree-granting institution,” she said. “I understand that there has been some discussion, that the college is thinking about what they want their long-term planning to look like. We’re really still committed, excited and open to the conversation.”
It’s up to the college on when it wants to take the next step, but the province is looking forward to accommodating that proposal as soon as possible, said Redford.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com