February 4th - Alberta Speech From the Throne

[LChoy]

Details from the Throne Speech

Steps to boost competitiveness, improve health care detailed in Throne Speech

Legislative agenda to focus on economy, passing the budget to keep Alberta on "road to recovery"
Edmonton...Plans to bolster Alberta’s competitiveness in the global economy and improve health care were the highlights of the Speech from the Throne, delivered by Lieutenant Governor Norman L. Kwong on February 4.

“Our government understands that competitiveness is about managing our spending and ensuring that regulation is effective and practical,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “But it’s also about protecting our environment, and maintaining the services and quality of life Albertans deserve.”
Bill 1 of the legislative session, the Alberta Competitiveness Act, brings together several initiatives to make Alberta the most competitive jurisdiction in North America, including maintaining and growing export markets, fostering value-added opportunities in the agriculture and agri-food industry, and ensuring that the energy sector remains vibrant and able to attract investment.
On health, the government committed to act on the recommendations of the Minister’s Advisory Committee and provide stable five-year funding to Alberta Health Services.

Other highlights of the throne speech include government’s plans to:

• bolster the front lines of Alberta police forces with 100 new officers;
• launch a new vision for education;
• keep using the Sustainability Fund to protect municipalities, social programs, educational institutions and the health care system;
• continue to invest in research and technology solutions to environmental challenges posed by oil sands development, including the eventual elimination of tailings ponds; and
• seek fair treatment for Albertans under universal federal programs.

The government’s legislative agenda this session will be focused on the economy and passing the budget so Alberta can continue on the road to recovery, said Government House Leader Dave Hancock.

“After the spring sitting concludes, MLAs will be engaging with their constituents throughout the spring and summer on key issues such as health and education,” Hancock said.

Improving Health Care

• Act on the recommendations of the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health to make the publicly funded health system more patient-focused.
• Create a new Alberta Health Act.
• Engage Albertans in the on-going evolution of the health system.
• Provide stable, five-year funding to Alberta Health Services.
• Focus on better performance in key areas such as wait times and access.
• Seek input from, and be accountable to, Albertans on whether the health system is performing to their expectations.

Alberta’s Fiscal Advantage

• Use our carefully planned fiscal advantages, including low taxes and the nearly $25 billion that was saved and invested during good times, to position Alberta for a strong recovery.
• Keep using the Sustainability Fund to protect municipalities, social programs, educational institutions and the health care system.
• Continue to strengthen infrastructure in all regions of the province.
• Introduce Alberta Capital Bonds with proceeds directed to building seniors’ accommodations.
• Carefully manage government spending, with a focus on key priorities such as health, education and supports for vulnerable Albertans.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health+...116/story.html
http://alberta.ca/home/NewsFrame.cfm...34775D966.html

[mykalberta]

Me thinks this is going to be one of those deep cuts this year so next year we can spend link drunken sailors again before the next election.

Morton to Finance minister was a clear act of desperation from Stelmach - we will soon see if it was worth it.

In the Globe or Post this morning they said the wait for heart surgery in Alberta is 6 days compared to something like 60 in NFL - if thats true I wonder where some of the cuts will come from because 6 days seems horribly inefficient in a public system.

[Azure]

Morton is VERY fiscally conservative.

I also think cuts are coming. Big time.

When is the budget released?

[Resolute 14]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Br...084/story.html

This is only halfway relevant, but I absolitely LOVE bruce's comment to this story on the Tories continuing to try and stifle the opposition. You'd almost believe he was a plant himself, which fits the argument of the story quite well.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Br...084/story.html

This is only halfway relevant, but I absolitely LOVE bruce's comment to this story on the Tories continuing to try and stifle the opposition. You'd almost believe he was a plant himself, which fits the argument of the story quite well.

I don't know if he is a plant but the guy makes an interesting point. Thing is that I criticize politicians all the time for things that I don't do, don't have the knowledge to do or whatever the case maybe. I think that is healthy for a democracy.

I think that this budget is going to be a scorched earth sort of plan. Big spending cuts to be sure. I'm thinking that it looks good to have Morton doing the cutting, but this was in place and was in the works when Evans was still minister. Its not like all of that work was scrapped a couple of weeks ago.

[bcb]

Originally Posted by Azure

Morton is VERY fiscally conservative.

I also think cuts are coming. Big time.

When is the budget released?

Morton will do whatever Stelmach tells him to do.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't know if he is a plant but the guy makes an interesting point.

Not really. He's trying to censor Don Braid, who's job is to follow and report on politics, because someone else made poor business decisions. It would be like telling you that you can't comment on why the Oilers lost 13 in a row because the Flames lost 9.

And agreed on the budget. Morton taking that position was huge optics: "Look at us! We aren't the Liberal spenders anymore! Wooo!"

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Not really. He's trying to censor Don Braid, who's job is to follow and report on politics, because someone else made poor business decisions. It would be like telling you that you can't comment on why the Oilers lost 13 in a row because the Flames lost 9.

And agreed on the budget. Morton taking that position was huge optics: "Look at us! We aren't the Liberal spenders anymore! Wooo!"

I thought that the comment was funny though. Although I think that Braid should write whatever he wants (and usually does so) I can see where he's coming from. Theres a pretty clear metaphor for this about pots and kettles and things like that!

The budget is going to be both very interesting and painful all at once. (I assume painful because spending cuts mean service cuts and usually to groups that need it most...but I digress). It will be very interesting to see how the disgruntled PCers respond to this budget. If the spending cuts are harsh enough and it moves the PCs far enough right in the public mindset then it becomes fairly fractured ground on the right of the spectrum in Alberta.