Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

If she had to get into power to realize the importance of the industry then I have to ask how smart she is in the first place as this isn't rocket science here. I don't think she's going to outright attack the industry but I also don't know how she can fight for an industry that she spent years protesting.

I think Smith is an idiot and don't think is fit to run a province but I'm really disappointed that the alternative is also the devil.

Then you are completely ignoring her body of work as Premier.

She actually got a new pipeline built, by working with the Federal government.
She actually improved the royalty framework, which as definitely incentivized development on large and small plays.

She has shown you exactly how she would govern. She was effective at getting the things most Albertans want.

What exactly is the problem?

Right now you've got 2 choices.
1) Someone you think is an idiot and unfit to lead
2) Someone who aptly lead the province and did so in what sounds like exactly the manner you say you want

Why is that a hard choice?

[chedder]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

You need to understand I'm not supporting Smith. For the first time ever, I may not vote at all.

Staying home and not voting is, in fact, supporting the ucp clown show. Like it or not, we all have to make a choice. If holding one's nose and voting for someone you don't like but is not bat s#$%t crazy is what it takes to get Danielle Smith out of our lives that's what needs to be done.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I think that's a misread of what happened. When she got into power she realized the importance of the industry, and began to work with it, and defend it against Ottawa. A politician taking in information and changing their position is the sign of a good leader. If you think she is going to come into power and attack their industry, I think you're greatly mistaken.

The uncertainty regarding NDP policy as it relates to O&G created uncertainty in the investment and development market. The threat of sweeping changes to the royalty framework was a hindrance on new investment. You've been making the same economic claims recently against Smith and the Sovereignty Bill that were being made against Notley and her royalty review.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's no different than people that won't vote for Conservative because of their past position on abortion or LGBT issues.

Except these aren't past positions are they? The UCP was actively hostile to the LGBT community through legislation (reversing the ban on conversion therapy, reversing the anonymity of students who join GSAs to name a couple of their earnest ones). The last UCP AGM had resolutions to defund certain abortions (the abundant amount of third trimester abortions that don't affect the health of the mother or involve rape or incest that are apparently happening) as well as eroding right to referral and pushing more conscious rights which are basically ways of restricting access right out of the Republican playbook south of the border.



Meanwhile the NDP oversaw a major pipeline approval while they were in power and saw oil production increase over their tenure with ~14,000 cubic metres of production when they were elected to trending over 17,000 at the end of their term.



So I'd say these concerns aren't very comparable.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

The uncertainty regarding NDP policy as it relates to O&G created uncertainty in the investment and development market. The threat of sweeping changes to the royalty framework was a hindrance on new investment. You've been making the same economic claims recently against Smith and the Sovereignty Bill that were being made against Notley and her royalty review.

I think the royalty review was a good idea(and it happened before, and should be regularly reviewed). I think the timing was poor relating to the global oil situation, but was done near the start of her term for good reason, so it's a toss up. They got it over with, accepted the answers they received from, get this, experts, and moved on. But even without the royalty review, I don't think the industry in Alberta would look any different today, the course was set back in 2008.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Misterpants

If you want to use the chess analogy, Smith is that chess player putting the vibrator up her butt to cheat.

Good point, but I'd be worried people would misconstrue that for respecting her a bit because that was kind of a cool move on that dude's part.

[Yikes]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

The uncertainty regarding NDP policy as it relates to O&G created uncertainty in the investment and development market. The threat of sweeping changes to the royalty framework was a hindrance on new investment. You've been making the same economic claims recently against Smith and the Sovereignty Bill that were being made against Notley and her royalty review.

I'm in the biz as well, or used to be anyways...if we are talking heavy resource, big time capital investment (other than pipelines) is tied to extraction cost vs commodity value. Royalties, etc. are a pain but are really a piss in the tailing pond.

[RedHot25]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...ible-1.6679825

Auditor general finds 52% of businesses surveyed that received COVID-19 funding were ineligible

A new report from Alberta's auditor general says it's possible thousands of small and medium-sized businesses received COVID-19 relief money when they weren't eligible to do so.

The report, released Wednesday, states the auditor general can't conclude that a majority of Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant Program (SMERG) recipients were eligible for the program.

The audit report revealed the department sent letters to ineligible applicants telling them they have 30 days to repay the funds or make other arrangements. Otherwise, the file would be sent to Alberta Crown Debt Collections.

So far, the department said it has recovered $562,000.

Brian Jean, minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development, said in a statement that it was important to get money to businesses as fast as possible.

"Public health measures hurt many businesses, so it was critical that this grant was released without delay to help business owners keep their businesses afloat and protect peoples' livelihoods.

We have learned lessons from the incredibly quick and largely effective roll out that will inform government programs going forward, " the statement read.

Amy Glena, the owner of Ponytails and Horseshoes hair salon in Edmonton said her business received SMERG but it took much longer than the three to six weeks wait time she was promised.

The audit also noted the long-wait time as one of the province's shortcomings in distributing the grant.

I'm actually "ok" (well understanding) of this, and perhaps shockingly for some in here, agree with the gov't's assertion of "yes, some got some that shouldn't have, but it was a uncertain time with lives and livelihoods at risk, we had to get support $$ out quick". Same idea as federal gov't.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Yikes

I'm in the biz as well, or used to be anyways...if we are talking heavy resource, big time capital investment (other than pipelines) is tied to extraction cost vs commodity value. Royalties, etc. are a pain but are really a piss in the tailing pond.

For sure. But investment and transactions (M&A) in the conventional, fracking and NG markets is much more sensitive to the political climate.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

The election is 6 months away, you don't go laying out your plan that far ahead. It's fine to attack Smith on her ridiculous positions, her gaffes, her associations with the mentally deficient. This is who she is, and going after it is fair game. When we get to a month out, that's when you roll out ideas. Not now.

I disagree with this whole heartedly.

I thanked Sliver's post as his feelings align with my own insofar as Rachel Notley, the person, is concerned. But, I traditionally don't align with the NDP's economic policies. I desperately want to see the Alberta NDP's platform for the upcoming election and the sooner the better.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

I disagree with this whole heartedly.

I thanked Sliver's post as his feelings align with my own insofar as Rachel Notley, the person, is concerned. But, I traditionally don't align with the NDP's economic policies. I desperately want to see the Alberta NDP's platform for the upcoming election and the sooner the better.

Not sure its the official platform per se, but they do have this website which delves into a lot of policy topics, etc: https://www.albertasfuture.ca/

Some have "proposals" already attached, some look to be in development - as in register for a session Leeman, and give them what for https://www.albertasfuture.ca/albertas-future

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by Yikes

Opposite for me, most of my circle are trained tradespeople and some professionals. Unless they are lying all have voted conservative in the past with the exception of the Prentice debacle and now I would say 90% are in the get rid of Smith/this version of the UCP for good camp.

Yikes, can we trade social circles?


ETA: social circles.... Not suicidal lol.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Not sure its the official platform per se, but they do have this website which delves into a lot of policy topics, etc: https://www.albertasfuture.ca/

Some have "proposals" already attached, some look to be in development - as in register for a session Leeman, and give them what for https://www.albertasfuture.ca/albertas-future

I appreciate that, thank you. Silly me, I went to the NDP website looking for it and came up empty, haha.

[Izzle]

Also, don't the NDP have former BoC chief David Dodge on their side? He's primarily focused on bringing in capital to Alberta no?

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I think the royalty review was a good idea(and it happened before, and should be regularly reviewed). I think the timing was poor relating to the global oil situation, but was done near the start of her term for good reason, so it's a toss up. They got it over with, accepted the answers they received from, get this, experts, and moved on. But even without the royalty review, I don't think the industry in Alberta would look any different today, the course was set back in 2008.

The timing is always poor. Notley did it during a downturn, terrible timing. Stelmach did it during a boom, terrible timing. I can actually agree with the Stelmach argument because at a time where investment dollars are flying around faster than double meat subs, you don't want to miss that train by doing a review. Notley's came during a time where there wasn't a lot of investment anyways, and while I will concede that some was lost, her review was done and over within 6 months of her election and that gave confidence for the remainder of her term that this issue was dealt with.

Also, there was a comment about the SA having the same arguments as Notley's review. To that, I saw Notley campaigned and won a general election with a specific plank of a royalty review. The plurality of Albertan's agreed and elected her knowing it was coming. The SA does not have the same mandate.

[Yikes]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

For sure. But investment and transactions (M&A) in the conventional, fracking and NG markets is much more sensitive to the political climate.

Yep, my side was all heavy downstream. You are a Geologist...your opinion on future conventional finds in Alberta? Others that I know say that the Province is a pin cushion...nothing left to find on the conventional oil side.

[Yikes]

Originally Posted by Izzle

Yikes, can we trade social circles?


ETA: social circles.... Not suicidal lol.

Haha..suicidal. Good one. In my circle the overwhelming sentiment is to get rid of Smith and Rob Anderson, off to the hinterland. If we get Rachel for 4 years to do it then so be it.

[blender]

One point to add is that I feel there is too much emphasis placed on political leanings and policy when the most important consideration when choosing a political representative is competency to govern.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Yikes

Yep, my side was all heavy downstream. You are a Geologist...your opinion on future conventional finds in Alberta? Others that I know say that the Province is a pin cushion...nothing left to find on the conventional oil side.

I no longer work as a Geologist but the conventional side of the business has been growing again over the last couple years if I'm not mistaken. I don't keep track of things very closely though. There are little to no significant discoveries to be made but production through development drilling or technical advancements will still boost overall production numbers. This is where the small to mid-size players are key and where investment and M&A activity is very critical. During my time I worked with many of these small producers to develop existing fields and optimize production. It is actually a lot of fun and very interesting in my opinion but it definitely is not as safe as working for the majors on huge projects.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Not sure its the official platform per se, but they do have this website which delves into a lot of policy topics, etc: https://www.albertasfuture.ca/

Some have "proposals" already attached, some look to be in development - as in register for a session Leeman, and give them what for https://www.albertasfuture.ca/albertas-future

Notley is also quite active on Twitter with much more than just Smith bashing, though she's had a lot of targets to focus on bashing recently.