Local MLAs take local issues north
Economy, jobs and the carbon levy are issues people of this region are hoping to see addressed as the legislature resumes on Monday, say local MLAs.
“The carbon levy is clearly a major issue in our province,” said Bob Wanner, NDP MLA for Medicine Hat.
The economy and jobs, the unemployed and underemployed, are two of the most pressing issues, said Drew Barnes, Wildrose MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat.
“Alberta needs to reduce its high per-capita spending and deficits to attract investment and jobs,” said Barnes. “I also am advocating strongly for pipelines, Energy East as the beginning example, which is all inside Canada and would provide 15,000 jobs.”
Many feel the NDP government’s high per-capita spending, onerous regulations and ideology has scared away billions in investment, said Barnes.
Concerns about the minimum wage have been expressed to Wanner and he makes a point of passing along feedback to the government.
There is great concern about the effect of increased regulation, taxation and the economy, said Barnes.
“Especially the minimum wage increase. It took 15 years to go from $5 to $10 and to jump to $15 in just three years will have serious consequences,” said Barnes. “Cypress-Medicine Hatters are also very concerned about the impacts of the carbon tax and its ineffectiveness and unfairness.”
Wanner says he has tried to create opportunities for citizens of Medicine Hat to get a chance to talk to government ministers directly when they have visited the area. He estimates about 17 ministers have visited Medicine Hat. It has also been an opportunity for Wanner to tell ministers what the issues of importance are.
“Sometimes they don’t always want to hear what I have to say,” said Wanner. “I have a responsibility to pass that information along to those ministers and make sure they hear what people are saying.”
Barnes will continue to advocate for more local decision making and local resource autonomy. The centralized health-care system under Alberta Health Services is not working, said Barnes. Wait times are too long and there are too many inefficiencies. The provincial government’s $11-billion deficit, and $1 billion in interest payments, is taking away resources that could be spent on services, said Barnes.
“I will be asking the current NDP government to look for value for hard-earned tax dollars every time and everywhere,” said Barnes.
As Speaker, Wanner is increasingly aware of the importance of the role in our democracy, he said.
“I feel that responsibility to perform on behalf of all of the Legislature, all members, ... I have learned a great deal in the last year of the importance of respecting the way in which the house operates, and ensuring that the minority view is heard and not contained,” said Wanner.
This must be balanced with allowing the government to move forward on matters that they think need to happen in the province, he said.