The gloves are off: Prentice under attack

As the Progressive Conservative leadership race heats up, the Journal brings you a weekly roundup of the major developments ahead of the first ballot, set for Sept. 6

Candidates spar over pipelines:

During a speech in Grande Prairie this week, front-runner Jim Prentice said he has the necessary experience to navigate the roadblocks holding up Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline, which would ship Alberta bitumen to the B.C. coast. Prentice worked for Enbridge, negotiating with B.C. First Nations, over the pipeline before stepping down from the post to enter the leadership race.

That move elicited criticism from candidate and Calgary MLA Ric McIver, who said this week that Prentice left the pipeline negotiations “undone.” McIver touted his own experience negotiating Calgary’s ring road deal with the Tsuu T’ina Nation as Transportation Minister, while Edmonton MLA Thomas Lukaszuk said he would do more to help aboriginal communities benefit from projects.

Candidates had been slated to square off again at a PC policy conference Saturday in Red Deer, but the party says the event has been

postponed.

Prentice a target for attack:

The former federal cabinet minister was forced to deflect a series of attacks this week over expenses and travel during his time in Ottawa. Prentice, who held three portfolios during his time as a Calgary MP, came under attack by the Alberta NDP for dozens of flights on government planes that added up to $421,000 in travel costs. Prentice didn’t explain any of the flights, but said it was all approved through the Prime Minister’s Office. If he becomes premier, Prentice has promised to fly commercial unless no other options are available.

Health care on agenda:

Prentice and McIver devoted part of last week’s Tory policy conference in Lethbridge to the topic of health care, with Prentice professing his support for a publicly funded system and promising not to expand privately funded care.

Advocacy group Friends of Medicare have raised questions about Prentice’s dedication to public health care in light of his recent position as a board member of Coril Holdings, which owns a private Calgary clinic. His campaign said Prentice resigned the position after he threw his hat in the ring and has always been supportive of public health care.