Who are you voting for

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Slava

Maybe on CP, but realistically they are polling at 2-3% everywhere other than Elbow.

True, although I think that part of the missed opportunity is not being able to get the message out enough (not merging with the Liberals was also a mistake by both parties). Maybe it's just me, but when I look at their platform, I think it reflects what lot of Albertans seem to value...definitely more than 2-3%.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Personally, I think this is part of the problem...that most people only look at the current situation, and want to make decisions based on that particular circumstance only. In a few years, when the energy sector will probably be riding high again, and everyone is getting giant bonus checks, and spending like its going out of style...is that a good time to re-assess things? What about in another decade when there's another down-turn? Do you then change your thinking again?

This type of industry will always yo-yo, so how about looking at things a little long-term, and making some decisions based on that? Let's have a master plan that takes into account what happens to this province in 25-50 years. What's the best situation for our children and grandchildren, and not just for our bank account right this second.

Me, I'd like to see a government that sets the tone for the next generation. One that looks to support and energize the O/G economy, but one that also understands that there's a strong societal push around the world to move away from oil-based resources, and that we may not be able to solely rely on oil/gas a few decades from now. Id like to see a government at least consider what happens if things never truly recover or if there's a malaise for a decade. I'd also like to see a government have a budget that doesn't require high oil revenues to fund basic services.

Nah, the current & historical pattern of just caving to the O&G guys has clearly worked out well.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

True, although I think that part of the missed opportunity is not being able to get the message out enough (not merging with the Liberals was also a mistake by both parties). Maybe it's just me, but when I look at their platform, I think it reflects what lot of Albertans seem to value...definitely more than 2-3%.

I basically agree; the most common negative comment I hear about the AP is that they aren't running broadly enough because people would like to hear more about them and have the opportunity to support the party.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Table 5

True, although I think that part of the missed opportunity is not being able to get the message out enough (not merging with the Liberals was also a mistake by both parties). Maybe it's just me, but when I look at their platform, I think it reflects what lot of Albertans seem to value...definitely more than 2-3%.

I totally agree, and I would vote for the guy in my riding but he really hasn't done anything to try to get elected there and stands roughly 0% chance of winning. It's not that I'm only voting for a winner (lord knows I've voted for losers almost every single election at every level!), but I want to do my best to make sure that the PC loses.

[username]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Personally, I think this is part of the problem...that most people only look at the current situation, and want to make decisions based on that particular circumstance only. In a few years, when the energy sector will probably be riding high again, and everyone is getting giant bonus checks, and spending like its going out of style...is that a good time to re-assess things? What about in another decade when there's another down-turn? Do you then change your thinking again?

This type of industry will always yo-yo, so how about looking at things a little long-term, and making some decisions based on that? Let's have a master plan that takes into account what happens to this province in 25-50 years. What's the best situation for our children and grandchildren, and not just for our bank account right this second.

Me, I'd like to see a government that sets the tone for the next generation. One that looks to support and energize the O/G economy, but one that also understands that there's a strong societal push around the world to move away from oil-based resources, and that we may not be able to solely rely on oil/gas a few decades from now. Id like to see a government at least consider what happens if things never truly recover or if there's a malaise for a decade. I'd also like to see a government have a budget that doesn't require high oil revenues to fund basic services.

Personally, I feel that the days of "spending like it's going out of style" are gone. While I'm not going to project what the price of oil is 3 years from now, I certainly expect it to be a price where oil companies need to be competitive. Knowing this, a royalty structure, like the one in place now, will favour the patch and continue to attract investment.

As has been stated many times, a small piece of a big pie is still larger than a big piece of a small pie.

I just pray that if the NDP win this election and review the royalty program they do it with the industry together. At least let the guys setting budgets have a say in what they need from a royalty persepective to stay competitive.

[foshizzle11]

I think I am going to vote for the Alberta Party, I like their platform and maybe they will gain some ground, maybe a couple seats but it is at least a start. My candidate lives in Forest Lawn (Calgary-Fort) and has 8 kids, why not be a MLA as well!! Who doesn't have time for that.

[edn88]

Well, I sure hope this poll is an outlier, because we are screwed if we vote in an NDP government.

The NDP in BC was terrible. Hugely incompetent and corrupt by the time the Liberals took over.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by edn88

Well, I sure hope this poll is an outlier, because we are screwed if we vote in an NDP government.

The NDP in BC was terrible. Hugely incompetent and corrupt by the time the Liberals took over.

Sounds familiar in Alberta, just replace Liberals with NDP in the framework of tomorrow.

[polak]

Oil companies will stay competitive regardless of the royalties. What will happen is the end of sky high salaries for people in Oil and Gas vs. same positions outside of O&G.

That will, of course, be offset by the benefits of the province not going broke every decade or so.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by edn88

Well, I sure hope this poll is an outlier, because we are screwed if we vote in an NDP government.

The NDP in BC was terrible. Hugely incompetent and corrupt by the time the Liberals took over.

Yeah, good thing the fiscally conservative Liberals got here just in time to stop all of that unnecessary spending when they couldn't afford social programs and land-claim settlements.

[foshizzle11]

Nice rubecube. I like what you did there.

[polak]

Selected Liberal but I'm thinking I vote NDP since their platforms seem somewhat similar and I'd rather vote for the party that can beat the PC's instead of throwing away a vote on a party that will lose.

Don't care about my riding as I plan on moving soon and I don't know where I'll move yet.

[ooogabooga]

In elbow riding voted for Clark in advance polls just because I haven't been able to stand Dirks since he was running the cbe while I was in school and screwing it up then

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by polak

Oil companies will stay competitive regardless of the royalties. What will happen is the end of sky high salaries for people in Oil and Gas vs. same positions outside of O&G.

That will, of course, be offset by the benefits of the province not going broke every decade or so.

Canadian oil companies are barely competitive now. I'd wager that its more likely that the province goes broke once oil production stops increasing, as capital goes to other provinces and US plays instead.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Slava

I totally agree, and I would vote for the guy in my riding but he really hasn't done anything to try to get elected there and stands roughly 0% chance of winning. It's not that I'm only voting for a winner (lord knows I've voted for losers almost every single election at every level!), but I want to do my best to make sure that the PC loses.

I am in the same boat. AP seem to be okay but in my riding he has no hope in hell. Right now it is who I think has the best chance on taking the PC candidate out (the double whammy of being PC and he crossed the floor from the WR). By lawn signs it just might be the WR.

[undercoverbrother]

I have to be honest, I am still unable to answer this poll.

I need to decide, I have been reading/educating myself, but and still undecided.

I wonder if I am alone in that camp......

[Coach]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

And right here we have the biggest issue:

a) people still literally believe trickle down economics is real

and

b) people honestly believe that the PCs can (and will) maintain the status quo, so as to ensure their steadily eroding quality of life will remain unchanged.

It's impossible to maintain this QoL in North America. Things have changed too drastically in relation to the economies and QoL in the rest of the world, and we're seeing much greater balance.

We need to start thinking about sustainability, not maintainability.

Are you running?

[terminator]

Originally Posted by polak

Oil companies will stay competitive regardless of the royalties. What will happen is the end of sky high salaries for people in Oil and Gas vs. same positions outside of O&G.

That will, of course, be offset by the benefits of the province not going broke every decade or so.

ummm no.

Have you read the MDA of any publically traded oil company? or just spouting of whatever comes to the top of your head?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I have to be honest, I am still unable to answer this poll.

I need to decide, I have been reading/educating myself, but and still undecided.

I wonder if I am alone in that camp......

I'm with you. I'm probably leaning NDP. I don't think the Liberals actually differ much or at all from the PCs, even though they like to think they do. NDP actually seems to have ideas about how to change things. Yes, Oil and Gas may suffer but, and hold on here because this may blow some people's world view out of whack, the survival of oil companies is not the be-all-end-all of life.

[polak]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Canadian oil companies are barely competitive now. I'd wager that its more likely that the province goes broke once oil production stops increasing, as capital goes to other provinces and US plays instead.

Or instead of going to the doomsday, worst case scenario, they reduce labor costs and the ridiculous overhead that most of these companies have and drive innovation to reduce their total operating costs. I think that's far more likely then leaving untapped oil in the ground.

If you think that there's no "fat" to trim from Canadian oil and gas companies budgets, I highly recommend you try working outside of the patch and you'll see that even the most frugal O&G companies have plenty of room to reduce spend.