Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Torture

19 out of 9000 boats inspected (.2% of those that travelled out of province. And how many weren't inspected?) had invasive mussels. So yeah, let's charge every boat in Alberta a fee, even if they only ever take their boat out on the local lake/river without taking it out of province.

https://cottagelife.com/outdoors/alb...asive-mussels/


Alberta is invasive mussel free - so if your boat never leaves the province, why do we need a fee?

Based on this map, it looks like just a matter of time before the mussels arrive here. Prevention is always easier than dealing with something after the fact.

I don't trust this government to implement anything, but I don't think this is a bad idea on its own merit.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Based on this map, it looks like just a matter of time before the mussels arrive here. Prevention is always easier than dealing with something after the fact.

I don't trust this government to implement anything, but I don't think this is a bad idea on its own merit.

I agree, and that's why you're supposed to clean/drain/dry your boat before transporting it between bodies of water, have to certify that you did so in national parks, and why we have inspection stations at borders, with the largest fines for failing to stop in all of North America. (despite the fact said inspection stations aren't always open...)

But charging a fee for every single motorboat/kayak/SUP/canoe/raft/inflatable boat in the province - many of which don't even leave the province or stay in only one body of water accomplishes...what exactly for prevention?

And what percentage of those miniscule number of failed inspections is from canoes, SUPs, kayaks, rafts? I'd guess it's not your recreational SUP user, but I don't have the numbers that the province does.

[puffnstuff]

If its about prevention then every boat or craft entering the province should be inspected and charged a fee for that inspection. Dont want to pay the fee? Leave your boat behind.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

If its about prevention then every boat or craft entering the province should be inspected and charged a fee for that inspection. Dont want to pay the fee? Leave your boat behind.

HINT the mussels are just the scapegoat. It's about revenue generation at every ministry.

[Monahammer]

Light bit of sarcasm, but as the owner of a lake property in Alberta, I kind of wish we would get some invasive mussels. It would really help with the blue green algae that all this additional warming has made much worse.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

If its about prevention then every boat or craft entering the province should be inspected and charged a fee for that inspection. Dont want to pay the fee? Leave your boat behind.

That sure would make sense but nah, let's charge a fee for every boat in the province instead.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Yes, no need to make sure the question being asked is even legal. That's red tape nobody wants.


Also, WHAT THE #### IS THE RUSH?

She (read as: her handlers) wants it on the ballot in October.

[woob]

Yeah, wouldn't be suprised to see it on the ballot for sure.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Wolven

She (read as: her handlers) wants it on the ballot in October.

You’d think they’d want a lot more time to drum up more support for their side. Based on the latest polls I saw, a large majority of Albertans would vote no on separation as it stands right now. This is a losing battle, and they know it.

[puffnstuff]

She doesnt care (much) if it passes, she just has to help them get it on the ballot so she doesnt lose their support.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Jeffrey Rath saying we could be free of property and income taxes on five years of independence. It’s sounds pretty appealing if you’re gullible.

Alberta will be free of citizens when everyone moves back to their home provinces.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

She doesnt care (much) if it passes, she just has to help them get it on the ballot so she doesnt lose their support.

I hope its far more sinister than that.

"Oh...this wasn't a secret ballot at all...everyone who voted 'Pro-Separation' are being rounded up and taken to an Internment Camp up by Zama City where they are to be re-educated through hard labour by making big rocks into smaller rocks."

And this is why I should be running the place.

"Sir, you voted Pro-Separation, we're going to need you to come into this room over here for a bit...."

"But...this room has no windows or lights and locks from the outside!?!"

Yes. Yes it does.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Torture

I agree, and that's why you're supposed to clean/drain/dry your boat before transporting it between bodies of water, have to certify that you did so in national parks, and why we have inspection stations at borders, with the largest fines for failing to stop in all of North America. (despite the fact said inspection stations aren't always open...)

But charging a fee for every single motorboat/kayak/SUP/canoe/raft/inflatable boat in the province - many of which don't even leave the province or stay in only one body of water accomplishes...what exactly for prevention?

And what percentage of those miniscule number of failed inspections is from canoes, SUPs, kayaks, rafts? I'd guess it's not your recreational SUP user, but I don't have the numbers that the province does.

I think the idea of charging every boat owner is in line with conservative thinking on usage taxes. While not every boat owner has a chance to transmit mussels, every boat owner is using the rivers and lakes which will be affected by the mussels when they arrive.

Puffnstuff has a good point in his idea to tax only those bringing their boats into Alberta. That might not create sufficient revenue to be useful though.

[puffnstuff]

Lockes first question as Overlord 'Spicy food, yes or no?'

[Locke]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Lockes first question as Overlord 'Spicy food, yes or no?'

I'd create a thriving tax base for spices! Now thats how you balance the goddamned budget!

A case of beer is $25. A bottle of Hot Sauce? That'll be $85.

[PepsiFree]

Everyone is drunk and the food is bland? I thought we were trying to avoid turning into the Soviet Union?

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by direwolf

You’d think they’d want a lot more time to drum up more support for their side. Based on the latest polls I saw, a large majority of Albertans would vote no on separation as it stands right now. This is a losing battle, and they know it.

They are never going to get the legitimate support that they need to make it happen. Their only hope is to put forth a garbage question that may confuse enough people to trick them into giving the answer that they want.

It is similar to how Kenney put forth the question to end daylight savings time and there was a right way and a wrong way to do it (as per the experts) and thus he framed the question to land on the wrong way and made "support" for ending daylight savings time go away.

If you get any of the UCP emails or leadership surveys? All of their questions are heavily tilted to try and make you agree with them.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Wolven

They are never going to get the legitimate support that they need to make it happen. Their only hope is to put forth a garbage question that may confuse enough people to trick them into giving the answer that they want.

It is similar to how Kenney put forth the question to end daylight savings time and there was a right way and a wrong way to do it (as per the experts) and thus he framed the question to land on the wrong way and made "support" for ending daylight savings time go away.

If you get any of the UCP emails or leadership surveys? All of their questions are heavily tilted to try and make you agree with them.

Do you agree that Danielle Smith is the greatest Premier in Alberta history, or are you stupid?

Come to think of it though, I guess if I just answer "No" it's actually a pretty okay question.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by direwolf

You’d think they’d want a lot more time to drum up more support for their side. Based on the latest polls I saw, a large majority of Albertans would vote no on separation as it stands right now. This is a losing battle, and they know it.

That might actually be the point

[gallione11]

Not that I would expect the current Alberta government to actually use the funds correctly, we've had something like this in Oregon for a long time, but for non-motorized vessels, limited to craft 10 feet or longer. Next year, it will expand to include all, but aside from mussel prevention, funds also go to maintaining and adding new water access points.


Now, full disclosure, I have a 13.5 ft tandem kayak so I should have one. I bought one a few years back (it's $30 for 2 years), but given that I have never been asked to show it, and have never heard of anyone else without a motorboat being asked either, I kind of stopped bothering.


May revisit that next year as I expect slightly more vigorous enforcement with the expanding requirements. Though, I've also never seen a Forest Service employee at any of the places I usually cast off.