Taking us for granted

Premier Alison Redford submitted expense claims for a $22 pot of coffee and a $31 hamburger on a trip to Washington. And an estimated $2 million in severance has been paid out to premier’s office staff over the last few years.

The Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), the government’s investment fund manager, underperformed the market in every year between 2001 and 2011, documents show. The AIMCo-managed Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund is valued at $16.6 billion. In contrast, the Alaska Permanent Fund is valued at $44.9 billion.

It’s hard to find examples of this government managing its finances well. Yet major cuts to public pension plans were proposed last fall.

There is no need for this. Actuaries have confirmed the plans are sustainable.

Albertans need right-of-recall legislation to keep political leaders in check. Otherwise, those leaders remember their friends and take the rest of us for granted.