Congrats to Alberta PC for winning this prestigious award. Note this is a national competition not just a provincial one so it took a lot of effort to win. To be honest, I don't think former tourism minister Christine Cusanelli should be solely credited for her effort as this was clearly a whole Alberta PC effort.
We're losing what the purpose of the 'lock-up' is. It's to give a 2 hour window before the official release so that news agencies and other pressure groups can develop their response to coincide with the Government's statement.
If you don't get in for the two hour advance window you can always, just read the budget right after. I somehow highly doubt that a up to minute response from the CTF will be required by any news agency based on the staggering stasis of their comments over the past 15 years. Do you think they need 2 hours ahead of time to dust off their boilerplate statements on government taxes and revenue?
But, if the purpose of the 2 hour window is to be able to form a immediate response when the budget is released, why wouldn't having special interest groups there that (between them) likely represent a majority of Albertan interests, be a valuable thing for the public?
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"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
But, if the purpose of the 2 hour window is to be able to form a immediate response when the budget is released, why wouldn't having special interest groups there that (between them) likely represent a majority of Albertan interests, be a valuable thing for the public?
How should the government choose which special interest groups accurately or appropriately represent the majority of Albertans though? Seems problematic to me.
(Again, no idea if this was the rationale behind the initial decision or not; its just my personal reason for thinking that special interest groups should not be invited to this thing.)
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"Life of Russian hockey veterans is very hard," said Soviet hockey star Sergei Makarov. "Most of them don't have enough to eat these days. These old players are Russian legends."
YES IT DOES BENEFIT ALL CANADIANS WHEN GOVERNMENT IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO BE MORE EFFICIENT. WHO WOULDNT BENEFIT FROM THAT??
Cutting funding, even if it might be considered wasteful by some people, obviously will be hurting someone.
The key is balancing that 'pain' against the greater good of the province.
For example, if (random example) 1000 nurses lost their job, but services were able to be maintained at 99% of previous levels, and it was considered an acceptable tradeoff, then fine. However, even the 1% of services lost would impact someone, likely more than the benefit of a paying less taxes was to them.
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"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
How should the government choose which special interest groups accurately or appropriately represent the majority of Albertans though? Seems problematic to me.
(Again, no idea if this was the rationale behind the initial decision or not; its just my personal reason for thinking that special interest groups should not be invited to this thing.)
I agree, so anyone who wanted should be able to be there, if the main goal is having media be able to form a complete story by the time the budget is released.
If the media would, and I suspect they might, want the input from an advocacy group for doctors, union, taxpayers or anyone impacted, to get both sides of the story, then them being there would be beneficial, no?
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"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
I agree, so anyone who wanted should be able to be there, if the main goal is having media be able to form a complete story by the time the budget is released.
If the media would, and I suspect they might, want the input from an advocacy group for doctors, union, taxpayers or anyone impacted, to get both sides of the story, then them being there would be beneficial, no?
Maybe, but I never heard the media complaining about access to special interest groups (especially the CTF). I only heard the CTF complaining.
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"Life of Russian hockey veterans is very hard," said Soviet hockey star Sergei Makarov. "Most of them don't have enough to eat these days. These old players are Russian legends."
Painful cuts, deficit and borrowing mark Alberta’s budget
Quote:
Budget 2013 by the numbers:
— Projected $2-billion deficit, with “operational deficit” of $451 million
— Borrowing $4.3 billion for infrastructure, which includes $1.1 billion to twin portions of Highway 63
— Cash adjusted deficit, which includes borrowing, hits $6.3 billion
— No increase in spending above last year’s $36.4 billion
— No new taxes or tax increases
— Sustainability Fund projected to drop to $691 million from high of $17 billion
— Health gets extra $500 million, or three per cent hike
— New pharmacare program for drug and supplementary health coverage
— AHS gets extra $307 million, or three per cent, plus $393 million to operate new health facilities.
— Seniors living less than 10 years in Canada lose low-income seniors benefit. Many income exemptions eliminated
— Seniors Property Tax Assistance program to be income tested in 2013 and scrapped at end of 2014
— Student Temporary Employment Program suspended
— Funding for training, income supports and health benefits cut $98 million
— Post secondary school funding cut $147 million
— Six courtrooms closed
— Alberta Farm Fuel Allowance eliminated
— Municipal funding cut to $900 million from $1.05 billion
— Education property taxes reduced 1.8 per cent
— Sixty-three million dollars for new schools in 2013-14
— Sustainability Fund renamed and repurposed to bolster operational spending
— Pledge to start retaining Heritage Savings Trust Fund income and channel five per cent of resource revenue into Contingency — Account beginning next year
— New Fiscal Management Act, limits borrowing for infrastructure, replaces Fiscal Responsibility Act and Government Accountability Act
— Deficit for 2012-13 budget now projected at $3.9 billion, up from $886 million in original budget estimate
— Resource revenue expected to hit $7.3 billion
— Oil price projected at $92.50; Natural gas at $3.07 GJ
— Differential between WCS and WTI forecast to widen to 27 per cent
I remember hearing Redford talking to the media a few weeks ago. They asked her about speculation that the deficit might hit 6 billion and she replied in her usual snotty tone that the deficit wouldn't be anywhere near 6 billion. Now we find out that it is higher.
I may vote liberal for the first time in my life next election.
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But living an honest life - for that you need the truth. That's the other thing I learned that day, that the truth, however shocking or uncomfortable, leads to liberation and dignity. -Ricky Gervais
I tend to agree that this is a major step back for the PC's. I voted PC believing that Redford will manage to get some balance between fiscal and social conservatism, but she has faily misreably.
Hopefully the Wildrose has learnt its lesson and toned down its Social agenda so I might be able to hold my nose and vote for them. A combined $2 + $4.3 Billion budget shortfall is unacceptable.
I tend to agree that this is a major step back for the PC's. I voted PC believing that Redford will manage to get some balance between fiscal and social conservatism, but she has faily misreably.
Hopefully the Wildrose has learnt its lesson and toned down its Social agenda so I might be able to hold my nose and vote for them. A combined $2 + $4.3 Billion budget shortfall is unacceptable.
WTF?? What "social agenda" would that be?
On topic: CTF tweeted that they are repealing the "Fiscal Accountability Act & Gov't Accountability Act."
IIRC this is the Act that would require a referedum on a sales tax.
On topic: CTF tweeted that they are repealing the "Fiscal Accountability Act & Gov't Accountability Act."
IIRC this is the Act that would require a referedum on a sales tax.
You know what social agenda: the one about lakes of fire and how good a representative some races are as compared to other candidates.
Was there really any chance that the budget came out today and the Wildrose or CTF was going to say "ya, everything looks like its good and we have no major qualms"? That's the nature of politics.
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On topic: CTF tweeted that they are repealing the "Fiscal Accountability Act & Gov't Accountability Act."
IIRC this is the Act that would require a referedum on a sales tax.
I hope Redford would be stupid enough to introduce an Alberta Sales tax. That'll spell a Wildrose majority in three years time. I don't even think the PC cacus will allow that even.
I dont' see too many tough choice made by PC in this budget. They sacrificed the seniors and and some students but still gave AHS 3% increase. 3 more years of this we'll be in a big hole and pay billions in interest just to service the debt.
On topic: CTF tweeted that they are repealing the "Fiscal Accountability Act & Gov't Accountability Act."
IIRC this is the Act that would require a referedum on a sales tax.
The PC's and the media successfully painted the Wildrose as socially right wing because of a couple idiotic comments. Although not the truth it certainly became the perception.
Next time around I expect Danielle will be much better prepared to present the reality, which is a socially moderate and fiscally conservative party. Exactly the same as the majority of Albertan voters.
By 2016, we'll be 16 billions in debt. I still don't understand how did it get so bad so quick. Oil is over $90 today and if you can balance the budget at $90 Oil, how much do you need?
With one budget, Redford managed irk the unions and fiscal conservative alike. That took some stupidity to do.
