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Originally Posted by Travis Munroe
- Do you believe the insane spending is a wise move?
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Our debt and debt servicing costs per capita when compared to other provinces are both middle of the pack and low respectively. As a result of the recession caused by the collapse in the price of oil Alberta was bound to bring on additional debt unless we made significant cuts to our spending but since in my opinion Alberta was already well behind where we needed to be in regards to services I think cuts during the recession would have been more devastating to most Albertans than the additional debt burden will be in the long run. A lot of that debt has gone to keeping people working, not just in the public sector but also in the trades.
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- Do you believe that the carbon tax is doing anything on the world stage?
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No. But I think it’s also unrealistic to assume the implementation of a tax in a province with a population of under 5 million people was ever going to have a major impact on a planet inhabited by over 7 billion people. I do believe it does have an impact on our province’s carbon use, it can be seen in how many businesses have taken steps to reduce energy consumption. It was also effective in generating additional revenue to offset the losses caused by the recession.
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- Do you believe that hiring anti oil minds to support our O&G sector is a wise move?
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This one really depends on the intent. If the intent is to sabotage the industry then obviously no, however I haven’t seen anything that suggests this has been the case. If the intent is for them to use their knowledge of the opposition to help our industry I think it is a good thing for the industry. A good comparison for this tactic is how large corporations hire former trade unionists to handle their labour relations.
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- Do you think Notley reacted quick enough to the trans mtn thing (she didn't really speak out until Kenney did)?
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I think it’s better to wait before reacting rather than to say something in reaction only to backpeddle on it at a later time, which Kenney has done on a few occasions. To be honest this gripe seems a little nit picky.
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- Do you believe the temporary wine ban was a solid victory for AB?
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I don’t think it was ever going to be a solid victory. I think it was done to see if BC would capitulate on their position against pipelines but failing at that it was probably a smart move for Notley not to get into a trade war with a province who has way more leverage than we do in that kind of fight. Especially during the worst recession in our province’s history.
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- Do you believe it is fair for the NDP to campaign with 1+m of tax payers money?
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Is that actually the case even? If you have a source on this I’d like to read it. To be honest I don’t think it would be the worst idea if elections were publicly funded. Take all private money and PACs out of the process and create a level playing field so the candidates with the best ideas or those whose platforms resonate the most with voters are more likely to be elected. It’s a pipe dream at best but I also think it’s in the best interest of the people and democracy.
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- Do you believe making it more difficult to do business in AB had anything to do with any companies leaving?
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Economic conditions are always in flux but I’d say any effect by whatever you’re labeling as making it more difficult to do business in AB was negligible when compared to the impact caused by the collapse of oil.
