More could be done to assist Alberta

Re: “Liberals hanging Alberta out to dry,” Don Braid, Opinion, April 7.

Don Braid is right. The federal government has responsibility for managing the national economy, and as owner of a central bank, it has the tools to step in robustly.

The federal government can help Alberta pull out of recession, achieve full employment, and transition to a greener economy.

Consider that in the aftermath of Argentina’s 2001 economic crisis, their government created two million jobs. A similar program adapted to Canada that targeted services to the aged, youth recreation, public arts and environmental conservation could be offered in Alberta, and indeed, across the country.

That, combined with additional money for new energy research and accelerated infrastructure, could ensure that anyone who wanted a job could get one, and would certainly put Alberta on the road to recovery.

If our national government were truly as concerned with the welfare of provinces and ordinary citizens as it is with corporations such as Bombardier, then a massive jobs program would start tomorrow. Larry Kazdan, Vancouver, B.C.