Conservative win brings mandate for new schools, energy research
Re-election paves way for policy goals
The re-election of Alberta’s four-decade old Progressive Conservative government means continuing long-standing Tory policies, along with billions in new investments in energy research, 50 new schools and a promise of no new taxes for at least three years.
“They’ll have an opportunity to implement a mandate as they see it,” said Wilfrid Laurier University political scientist Barry Kay.
Early in the election campaign, PC Leader Alison Redford pledged to invest $3 billion over 20 years in an energy research group called AOSTRA 2, after the original Alberta Oilsands Technology and Research Authority created by former Tory premier Peter Lougheed in 1974.
“In order for us to be able to continue to grow the economy in Alberta, in an environmentally sustainable way, we have to be global leaders with respect to energy development and with respect to environmental sustainability,” Redford said last month at a campaign stop in Fort Mcmurray.
It fits in with Redford’s pan-canadian Energy Strategy, which is short on details but what she says will help the rest of Canada understand the importance of Alberta’s energy industry.
There was immediately a call from environmental groups for the Alberta PCS to remember Albertans want action on climate change.
“If the premier truly understands the science behind the climate crisis, she knows that science requires a rapid decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and that means tackling the tarsands,” said Greenpeace campaigner Mike Hudema in a statement late Monday.
“The premier owes her victory to people who believe in protecting the environment, valuing diversity and preserving public health care. She would do well to remember that.”
Later this year, the PCS will also finally put into force contentious impaired driving legislation, laws that will levy tough new penalties on drivers who break the rules, but which both the Liberals and Wildrose believe tread on civil liberties.
Although the Wildrose has accused the Tories of secretly planning to raise taxes once they’re elected, Redford said her government will introduce a balanced budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year and there will be no new taxes of any kind for the next three years — although Redford’s government has said it wants to have a “conversation” with Albertans about the province’s financial structure.
In health care, the PCS vowed a re-elected PC government would create 140 family care clinics across Alberta over three years — a plan criticized by opposition leaders and health professionals as costly, unproven and adding to a poor Tory track record on health.
But the publicly funded clinics are intended to bring doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals under one roof.
An ongoing public inquiry into medical queue jumping by well-connected insiders will go ahead, albeit without studying whether health-care professionals are intimidated — as demanded by opposition parties.
“We have openly acknowledged that doctor intimidation has occurred in our healthcare system, and have committed to solving this unacceptable practice,” said Fred Horne, who most recently served as provincial health minister.
But Horne added, “This is not about initiating an inquiry which wastes limited resources on something that has already been confirmed.”
The PCS have pledged to put more emphasis on rural development, committing $24 million in new money for 2013-14 to improve health care and post-secondary options for rural Albertans.
Beginning in 2013, the province will pay off student loans for graduating doctors who commit to working in a rural Alberta community for 10 years. That program will cost $4 million in 2013, rising to $8 million by 2021.
The Tories also promised a new $18-million bursary program for students from rural communities, to help defray the costs of post-secondary school.
With the province’s energy industry in mind, the Redford government will also develop a transportation strategy, with funding, to aid in competitiveness, sustainability and the timely completion of projects.
Infrastructure is also going to get a big boost.
Redford promised to build 50 new schools across the province and renovate 70 more over four years — at a cost of $2.4 billion, coming from future surpluses.
The PC leader has also pledged $10 million in additional funding for STARS Air Ambulance during the campaign, and promised to implement property tax deferral for seniors, so qualifying participants don’t have to pay their municipal taxes until their home is sold — even if that’s after their death.