Alberta Hansard — 16 November 2009, Afternoon sitting (13:30) (Legislature 27, Session 2)

20091116

Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

Province of Alberta The 27th Legislature Second Session Alberta Hansard Monday, November 16, 2009 Issue 57 The Honourable Kenneth R. Kowalski, Speaker

Legislative Assembly of Alberta The 27th Legislature Second Session Kowalski, Hon. Ken, Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, Speaker Cao, Wayne C.N., Calgary-Fort, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Mitzel, Len, Cypress-Medicine Hat, Deputy Chair of Committees Ady, Hon. Cindy, Calgary-Shaw (PC), Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Allred, Ken, St.

Albert (PC) Amery, Moe, Calgary-East (PC) Anderson, Rob, Airdrie-Chestermere (PC) Benito, Carl, Edmonton-Mill Woods (PC) Berger, Evan, Livingstone-Macleod (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Sustainable Resource Development Bhardwaj, Naresh, Edmonton-Ellerslie (PC) Bhullar, Manmeet Singh, Calgary-Montrose (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Advanced Education and Technology Blackett, Hon.

Lindsay, Calgary-North West (PC), Minister of Culture and Community Spirit Blakeman, Laurie, Edmonton-Centre (AL), Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition Official Opposition House Leader Boutilier, Guy C., Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo (Ind) Brown, Dr. Neil, QC, Calgary-Nose Hill (PC) Calahasen, Pearl, Lesser Slave Lake (PC) Campbell, Robin, West Yellowhead (PC), Deputy Government Whip Chase, Harry B., Calgary-Varsity (AL), Official Opposition Whip Dallas, Cal, Red Deer-South (PC) Danyluk, Hon. Ray, Lac La Biche-St.

Paul (PC), Minister of Municipal Affairs DeLong, Alana, Calgary-Bow (PC) Denis, Jonathan, Calgary-Egmont (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Energy Doerksen, Arno, Strathmore-Brooks (PC) Drysdale, Wayne, Grande Prairie-Wapiti (PC) Elniski, Doug, Edmonton-Calder (PC) Evans, Hon. Iris, Sherwood Park (PC), Minister of Finance and Enterprise Fawcett, Kyle, Calgary-North Hill (PC) Forsyth, Heather, Calgary-Fish Creek (PC) Fritz, Hon. Yvonne, Calgary-Cross (PC), Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Goudreau, Hon.

Hector G., Dunvegan-Central Peace (PC), Minister of Employment and Immigration, Deputy Government House Leader Griffiths, Doug, Battle River-Wainwright (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Solicitor General and Public Security Groeneveld, Hon. George, Highwood (PC), Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hancock, Hon. Dave, QC, Edmonton-Whitemud (PC), Minister of Education, Government House Leader Hayden, Hon. Jack, Drumheller-Stettler (PC), Minister of Infrastructure Hehr, Kent, Calgary-Buffalo (AL) Hinman, Paul, Calgary-Glenmore (WA) Horne, Fred, Edmonton-Rutherford (PC) Horner, Hon.

Doug, Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert (PC), Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Jablonski, Hon. Mary Anne, Red Deer-North (PC), Minister of Seniors and Community Supports Jacobs, Broyce, Cardston-Taber-Warner (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Agriculture and Rural Development Johnson, Jeff, Athabasca-Redwater (PC) Johnston, Art, Calgary-Hays (PC) Kang, Darshan S., Calgary-McCall (AL) Klimchuk, Hon. Heather, Edmonton-Glenora (PC), Minister of Service Alberta Knight, Hon. Mel, Grande Prairie-Smoky (PC), Minister of Energy Leskiw, Genia, Bonnyville-Cold Lake (PC) Liepert, Hon.

Ron, Calgary-West (PC), Minister of Health and Wellness Lindsay, Hon. Fred, Stony Plain (PC), Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security Lukaszuk, Thomas A., Edmonton-Castle Downs (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Municipal Affairs Lund, Ty, Rocky Mountain House (PC) MacDonald, Hugh, Edmonton-Gold Bar (AL) Marz, Richard, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (PC) Mason, Brian, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood (NDP), Leader of the NDP Opposition McFarland, Barry, Little Bow (PC) McQueen, Diana, Drayton Valley-Calmar (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Environment Morton, Hon.

F.L., Foothills-Rocky View (PC), Minister of Sustainable Resource Development Notley, Rachel, Edmonton-Strathcona (NDP), Deputy Leader of the NDP Opposition, NDP Opposition House Leader Oberle, Frank, Peace River (PC), Government Whip Olson, Verlyn, QC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose (PC) Ouellette, Hon. Luke, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake (PC), Minister of Transportation Pastoor, Bridget Brennan, Lethbridge-East (AL), Deputy Official Opposition Whip Prins, Ray, Lacombe-Ponoka (PC) Quest, Dave, Strathcona (PC) Redford, Hon. Alison M., QC, Calgary-Elbow (PC), Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Deputy Government House Leader Renner, Hon. Rob, Medicine Hat (PC), Minister of Environment, Deputy Government House Leader Rodney, Dave, Calgary-Lougheed (PC) Rogers, George, Leduc-Beaumont-Devon (PC) Sandhu, Peter, Edmonton-Manning (PC) Sarich, Janice, Edmonton-Decore (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Education Sherman, Dr. Raj, Edmonton-Meadowlark (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Health and Wellness Snelgrove, Hon. Lloyd, Vermilion-Lloydminster (PC), President of the Treasury Board Stelmach, Hon. Ed, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (PC), Premier, President of Executive Council Swann, Dr.

David, Calgary-Mountain View (AL), Leader of the Official Opposition Taft, Dr. Kevin, Edmonton-Riverview (AL) Tarchuk, Hon. Janis, Banff-Cochrane (PC), Minister of Children and Youth Services Taylor, Dave, Calgary-Currie (AL) VanderBurg, George, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne (PC) Vandermeer, Tony, Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview (PC) Weadick, Greg, Lethbridge-West (PC) Webber, Len, Calgary-Foothills (PC), Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations Woo-Paw, Teresa, Calgary-Mackay (PC) Xiao, David H., Edmonton-McClung (PC), Parliamentary Assistant, Employment and Immigration Zwozdesky, Hon.

Gene, Edmonton-Mill Creek (PC), Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Deputy Government House Leader Officers and Officials of the Legislative Assembly Clerk W.J. David McNeil Clerk Assistant/ Director of House Services Louise J. Kamuchik Clerk of Journals/Table Research Micheline S. Gravel Senior Parliamentary Counsel Robert H. Reynolds, QC Senior Parliamentary Counsel Shannon Dean Sergeant-at-Arms Brian G. Hodgson A ssistant Sergeant-at-Arms J. Ed Richard Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Gordon H. Munk Managing Editor of Alberta Hansard Liz Sim

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1775 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Monday, November 16, 2009 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 16, 2009 [The Speaker in the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon. Welcome back. Let us pray. As Canadians and as Albertans we give thanks for the precious gifts of freedom and peace which we enjoy. We give further thanks for the gifts of culture and heritage which we share. As Members of this Legislative Assembly we rededicate ourselves to the valued traditions of parliamentary democracy as a means of serving our province and our country. Amen.

Today we’ll be led in the singing of our national anthem by Mr. Paul Lorieau, and I would invite all here to participate in the language of one’s choice. Hon. Members: O Canada, our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. The Speaker: Please be seated. Hon. members, I’d like to draw your attention to a new face at the table in front of me.

Stephanie LeBlanc joined the Legislative Assembly Office in August of 2008 in the position of legal research officer. She was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, and received her law degree with great distinction from the University of Saskatchewan in 2006. In addition to her role in providing legal research to committees, she will now also be assisting Parliamentary Counsel at the table as part of our commitment to training and development. I’d ask all members to note Ms LeBlanc and welcome her to this Assembly. head: Introduction of Visitors The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Egmont. Mr.

Denis: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s with pleasure that I rise to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly His Excellency Margers Krams, the ambassador of the Republic of Latvia. Alberta has a long-standing tradition of co- operation and collaboration with countries around the world, including those throughout the European Union, of which Latvia is a member. I had the pleasure of hosting the ambassador at a luncheon at Government House earlier today. He joins us in the Legislature this afternoon to observe our debate.

I ask the ambassa- dor to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. Thank you. head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Education. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today it’s my pleasure to introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly 76 enthusiastic and inquisitive grade 6 students from the George P. Nicholson elementary school, more affectionately known as GPN school, located in my constituency of Edmonton-Whitemud. I’ve had the privilege of joining them for reading week earlier in October.

I can tell you that they’re indeed an exceptional group of students, full of very good questions when I was out to the school. They are accompanied today by their teachers, Ms Jan Antoniuk, Mrs. Maxine Sprague, Mrs. Dawn Schmitz, and education assistant Mrs. Gail Stannard along with parent helpers Mrs. Bernie Lassu, Mrs. Lisa Ladd, Mrs. Julie Brooks, Mrs. Lina Kebbi, and Mrs. Verle McConkey. They’re seated in both the members’ gallery and the public gallery, and I ask them to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Woods. Mr.

Benito: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly a group of 27 students from my constituency of Edmonton-Mill Woods, St. Elizabeth elementary school. The group is led by their teacher, Mrs. Sherri Zimmermann, and language interpreter Miss Hilda Schroeder. They are seated in the members’ gallery, and I would ask them to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Riverview. Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two sets of introductions today.

My first is a group from Malmo elementary school, who I met with and spoke to before our session today and who I hope to speak with again at greater length in their classroom. There are 23 visitors, very bright students, and they are accompanied by a teacher and two parent helpers. I believe they’re seated in the public gallery, but wherever they are, I’d ask them to rise and to receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, my second introduction is of three concerned citizens from Parkland county and that area.

They’re here to observe question period and the tabling of their petition regarding the construction of a new care centre in Stony Plain that is very badly needed. Later on we’ll be tabling the first of 1,500 names on that petition today. I’d ask them to rise as I read their names. One is Jo Szady, who is the chair of the resident family council of the Good Samaritan care centre. The second is Zig Szady, who helped collect the names for the petition. I must say that these two people are also very active in environmental and energy efficiency issues.

The third is Iolanda Duke, who is the secretary of the resident family council of the Good Samaritan care centre. You’re welcome. Please give them a warm reception. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Develop- ment. Mr. Groeneveld: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to introduce to you and through you to the members of the Assembly Agriculture and Rural Development staff from the Agricultural Products Marketing Council. They’re here today as part of their public service orientation tour.

Dave Burdek, Maryann Urbanowski, Tunde Vari, Mike Pearson, and Rachid El Hafid are seated in the members’ gallery. I would ask them to now rise and receive the usual warm reception of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning.

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091776 Mr. Sandhu: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly very special guests from my constituency of Edmonton-Manning. They are all sitting in the public gallery. They are Mr. Stan Fisher, president and CEO, Paul Teterenko, Wendy King, Kay Willekes, Lucas Gelink, Christine Teterenko, and Sharon Cohen. These visitors are from St. Michael’s Extended Care Centre Society. I will be speaking more about the group in my member’s statement later on.

I would ask them to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. Thank you. The Speaker: Are there others? The hon. Member for Edmonton- Meadowlark. 1:40 Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly, seated in the members’ gallery, two bright students who I met in the past year. One is Janet LeBlanc. I had the honour of meeting Janet during a French course we took at the Faculty of Extension. The other one is her daughter Rémi LeBlanc.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rémi in the constituency of Edmonton-Meadowlark at the St. Francis Xavier high school awards ceremony. Unfortunately, her name wasn’t called. I said: why don’t you come down to the Legislature, meet my friends, and we’ll introduce you as a Rutherford scholarship winner in the Legislative Assembly? She also happens to be a political science student, and we’ll be seeing more of her in the future. To Rémi, I’d like to congratulate her on all of her academic achievements and wish her the best for the future.

I would ask my guests to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. head: Ministerial Statements The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. National Philanthropy Day Mr. Blackett: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, November 16, we celebrate National Philanthropy Day. Whether it’s volunteering for a local nonprofit organization or donating money to a charity or helping someone in need, Albertans of all ages, all walks of life, and throughout our province work to better the lives of others every day.

It is with this attitude and the be lief in goodwill that we recognize National Philanthropy Day. Philanthropists come in many forms, from a neighbour or friend who gives up their weekends to volunteer at a homeless shelter to the child selling summer lemonade to support a local cause, the musician who lends his or her talents for a benefit concert, the person who donates $20 or $20 million. Each of these people may be doing different things, but they are all working towards the same goal.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps support their community and especially those that are most vulnera- ble. In this time of economic uncertainty supporting charities and the work they do is more important than ever. It is at such times that we act on those values that have built this province, looking out for one another and helping those in need and the least fortunate. Albertans are some of the most generous people anywhere, donating $1.4 billion in 2007 alone.

Our province also has one of the highest charitable tax credits in Canada, meaning that there’s a benefit to donating more to your favourite charity or not-for-profit organization. Including the federal tax credit, Albertans receive a 50 per cent nonrefundable tax credit for every dollar donated over the $200 threshold. Mr. Speaker, that program is e ndorsed by none other than our Auditor General. The enhanced charitable tax credit will help our dollars work even harder to support these organiza- tions. Just remember: donate often and keep your receipts.

It will make a difference for you at tax time, and it helps to build strong and healthy communities. Mr. Speaker, as we recognize National Philanthropy Day, let us all take a moment and ask ourselves one question: what can we do to make our neighbourhood, our community, our city, and our province a better place? Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I join the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit in thanking those citizens who donate their time, talents, and money to our char ities and nonprofits.

The generosity of these people deserves celebration. I feel blessed to have known some wonderful philanthropists. That being said, I believe that we must also recognize the challenges facing Alberta’s nonprofit sector. As baby boomers age, they are volunteering less, and so far younger generations have not yet stepped up in great enough numbers to take their place. The sector is also being challenged by this administration’s constant failure to provide stable public funding. Our charities and nonprofits are consistently being asked to do more with less.

With this administration cutting millions from core services, the problem can only be expected to get worse. One of the primary responsibilities of government is to provide protection and leadership in those areas where private enterprise and charitable institutions cannot. Perhaps they could look to the Muttart Foundation for inspiration and ideas. This Edmonton-based philanthropic foundation does amazing work, dispensing funds to many causes, including NGO management development.

One of their programs provides funding for not-for-profit managers to take a one-year educational sabbatical, a program that has kept many experienced, talented managers here in Alberta working in a vital sector. Albertans are remarkably generous, but our philanthropy should not be mistaken as an endorsement for another round of massive cuts to the public sector. Government has a role to play, and it’s time for this administration to stop off- loading their responsibilities to a sector that’s already being pushed to the limit.

In recognition of that and on behalf of my colleagues in the Official Opposition I would like to thank again all those who donate time and money to make our society a better place. Thank you. The Speaker: Hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, I trust you’re requesting an opportunity for one of your members to participate in this? Mr. Mason: Yes, Mr. Speaker. The other one. The Speaker: That will require unanimous consent of the Assembly, so I’ll ask the question: is the Assembly prepared to hear from the hon.

Member for Edmonton-Strathcona? [Unanimous consent denied] head: Members’ Statements The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning.

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1777 St. Michael’s Extended Care Centre Society Mr. Sandhu: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m proud to say that St. Michael’s Extended Care Centre Society operates in my constitu- ency of Edmonton-Manning. St. Michael’s was created in 1974 to fill a need for care for people from Ukrainian and other Slavic backgrounds in the city of Edmonton. As the health sector has changed over time, St. Michael’s has redeveloped and adapted to fill these needs. St. Michael’s has an excellent reputation. They are known for the wonderful, quality care they provide to their residents. St.

Michael’s is probably best known for Baba’s Own perogies, which you can purchase from their main office or some stores around Edmonton. I must say that they are the best perogies I have ever had, and I’m sure many members, including yourself, Mr. Speaker, and the hon. Premier himself, would agree with me. St. Michael’s is currently running their long-term care capital campaign. The centre is almost 30 years old, and many renovations need to be made to upgrade it to current standards. This campaign is called There’s a Little Angel in Each of Us.

They had a fundrais- ing dinner, called the Blue Angel Dinner, which I was very pleased to attend last Thursday with you, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to support St. Michael’s in this and all of their other fundraising efforts. I would like to thank the capital campaign cabinet members for their hard work on this project and all of the staff at St. Michael’s for making it a great place and a true gem in our community. May God bless all those involved with this wonderful organization. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: All members will be glad to know that the hon.

Member for Edmonton-Manning and I attended an event for the St. Michael’s extended care 25th anniversary celebration, and true to form, when I asked the hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning what his three favourite foods were, he quickly responded: perogies, cabbage rolls, and nalysnyky. He got a hundred per cent for the response. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore. International Education Week Mrs. Sarich: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today marks Alberta’s sixth year of participation in Canada’s celebration of International Education Week from November 16 to 20. This year’s theme is Promoting Global Citizenship.

This is a wonderful way for Al- berta’s education system to promote the benefits of cross-cultural understanding in today’s rapidly changing world. International education activities expose teachers and students to social and cultural differences, new educational methods, and diverse global perspectives. These activities include student and teacher ex- changes, school partnerships, visiting t eacher programs, foreign language consultants, and international student programs. Mr. Speaker, 2009 marks the 30th anniversary that Alberta Education has been co-ordinating teacher exchanges in the province.

Today the Alberta teacher exchange program has partners in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland. For several years now many Alberta teachers have taken on the challenge of leaving their homes and classrooms to live and teach in communities right across the world. Last year there were a total of 19 teachers that participated in full-year exchanges to Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., and Switzerland. Nine more participated in short-term exchanges to Denmark and to Germany. Not only have these teachers and their families changed and grown from their experiences.

So, too, have the members of the communi- ties they visited. I would like to congratulate past and present participants alike, who recognize the value of international education in our schools, Mr. Speaker, and who have made this program such a wonderful success. What a wonderful opportunity to share Alberta with the international community and promote global citizenship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 1:50 head: Oral Question Period The Speaker: First Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. H1N1 Influenza Pandemic Planning Dr. Swann: Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Last week the Premier publicly admitted that there were mistakes in the H1N1 rollout this past month. To the Premier: will the Premier explain what mistakes were made? Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, the comment last week with respect to the rollout of H1N1 flu vaccination said that, yes, that first week we could have accommodated people in buildings so that they didn’t have to wait outside. Although it wasn’t that cold, it certainly could have been a lot colder at this time of the year. We’ve learned from the situation.

I called a meeting last Monday with Alberta Emer- gency Management, with Health Services, the minister of health, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and the Solicitor General and put a plan into place. That plan is working very effectively because we don’t have any waiting lists whatsoever. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, again to the Premier: was it the Premier’s decision or the health minister’s decision to send an ambiguous message about who qualified for the vaccine in the first week? Mr. Stelmach: Mr.

Speaker, all advice on medical matters comes from the medical officer of health. I have great faith in and support the medical officer of health. He’s doing a good job in spite of the circumstances in terms of interruption of supply of vaccine. I have tremendous faith in his advice. That’s the advice the minister of health follows, and that’s how the policy is set. Dr. Swann: Well, Mr.

Speaker, there are many documents relating to pandemic planning in the province that outline what the priority groups for v accination would be in the event of a pandemic, and there are the four categories we’ve heard so much about. Will the Premier explain why plans that were laid out years ago were thrown out the window? Was this a political decision or a medical decision? Mr. Stelmach: Once again, a medical decision. The Speaker: Second Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. H1N1 Influenza Hospital Admissions Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The CEO of Alberta Health Services has stated that now is when we will see the largest strain on the acute-care system and intensive care beds. Today there are a total of 830 Albertans who have been hospitalized for H1N1 this year. Again to the Premier: what proportion of the 6,800 acute-care beds in Alberta are being occupied today by H1N1 patients who were high risk and didn’t receive their vaccine?

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091778 Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that information in front of my fingertips. I don’t follow every day’s admissions into the hospitals throughout Alberta, but we can certainly get some more information on it. If it’s relevant, we’ll provide that information to the House. Dr. Swann: Well, it’s clearly relevant, Mr. Speaker, the number of people who should have had the v accine and didn’t and therefore ended up in hospital with H1N1. Will the Premier present that information, table it in the House? Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, let’s put this into perspective.

Just a number of months ago Canadian public health officials were unable to identify the virus. They had to identify the virus. They had to start production of the v accine and distribute that vaccine across Canada. From a Canadian point of view a lot of effort was put into ensuring that there was enough vaccine available for the very remote communities in northern Canada, so that was done. We, of course, heard from the minister, heard from the medical officer of health in terms of what vaccine would be available, and the plans were built on that availability.

That availability was interrupted without any warning to the federal government or to any of the provincial ministers, and as a result we had to change our plan. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For months we have been asking the Premier to ensure that our hospitals are properly prepared for H1N1 patients, yet we’ve received no evidence that this has happened. Will the Premier table the intensive care unit surge capacity plan, which is still not available, and show Albertans that we really are prepared to cope with the extra demands in intensive care units in this province? Mr.

Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, the minister of health has all the detail. Mr. Liepert: Well, Mr. Speaker, I had a lengthy discussion with the CEO of Alberta Health Services today. As we stand here on the 16th of November, our health system is coping extremely well. There are some areas where at times pressure has been applied, but there is a contingency plan in place. As I said at the outset, the system is coping extremely well and not out of the ordinary for the flu season. The Speaker: Third Official Opposition main question. The hon. Member for Calgary-Currie. Electricity Transmission Lines Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. The people of Alberta don’t like this government’s attempt to cut them out of the process of determining whether the multibillion-dollar high-voltage transmis- sion lines that it’s about to foist upon us and make us pay for are needed. The government is already letting ATCO and AltaLink move ahead with the planning of the lines between Edmonton and Calgary before Bill 50 has even been debated in this House. Then when the PC Association was setting up its conference the weekend before last, it took sponsorship money from AltaLink. To the Premier. This bill is so obvious ly contentious.

It so obviously matters to Albertans. Doesn’t he see that this looks as though AltaLink gets access to government in exchange for cash? Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, the legislation will be before the House, I believe, tomorrow for second reading, and there’ll be opportunity for active debate. But as I said before, there’s a critical need for new transmission infrastructure in the province of Alberta. We will not be able to achieve all of our economic goals if we don’t have new infrastructure in place, and that’s the purpose of the bill. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That’s why they call it question period, not answer period. Given that AltaLink has already been picked by the government to build one of the lines at the heart of the controversy over Bill 50, given that the line in question will cost $1.5 billion or more, and given that the electricity users of Alberta are going to get stuck with the bill for that, how can this Premier assure Albertans that his government’s transmission policy isn’t being impacted by these corporate sponsorship donations? Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, over 30 public meetings were held across the province.

Hundreds of people came forward to deliver evidence based on the need for new transmission. We are working on that. We want to of course do everything possible to tie all of the green energy sources that we have available to us, ensure that we are competitive in terms of our electricity rates, and move badly needed electricity from one end of the province to another. That is critical to Alberta’s economic goals. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Taylor: T hank you, Mr. Speaker.

You know, earlier this session I asked the Premier which lobbyists he and the other members of cabinet were meeting with behind closed doors on Bill 50. I’m still waiting for that information. The people of Alberta and this House are still waiting for that information. Albertans, who are going to be paying for these lines for the next 40 years, have a right to know what the companies that’ll profit from them are saying to cabinet. To the Premier: when can Albertans expect to find out who’s been trying to influence this government on Bill 50, or are you just waiting until after the debate is all over? Mr.

Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, I’m glad that the opposition supported this government’s position on legislation that was passed in this House – of course, that’s the lobbyist registry – that provides the transparency and openness that this government is all about. He can go to the registry and get that information any time. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands- Norwood, followed by the hon. Member for Strathcona. Health Care Reform Mr. Mason: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker.

Last weekend the Premier responded to falling support among Albertans and even his own party by promising to correct mistakes his government has been making. Perhaps the most serious mistake has been this govern- ment’s handling of changes to the health care system. Massive changes to health care delivery without a mandate, without a plan, and without public consultation have Albertans angry from one corner of the province to the other. My question is to the Premier.

Will you direct the Minister of Health and Wellness to stop the overhaul of the health care system until a comprehensive plan is placed before Albertans and public input is sought?

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1779 Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, the minister is doing all of the above that the hon. member mentioned. He does have a committee in place to look at whether there are legislative changes that are necessary in the future. He has also consulted with Albertans through various organizations. But at the end of the day we’ve seen the cost of health care delivery in this province increase over 180 per cent in the last 10 years.

All Albertans know it’s not sustainable, and all I’m asking is for all Albertans to come together, especially our health care professionals in this province, to work on a plan together so that we can sustain it for the next generation because it is our duty. Mr. Mason: Mr. Speaker, Albertans have neither been informed nor consulted. The Premier said that change is coming, but he won’t say what it is or when it will be. That’s not good enough. Albertans are increasingly skeptical about this Premier’s promises.

Will the Premier tell his health minister to lay off until Albertans are both informed and consulted about government health care plans? Yes or no? 2:00 Mr. Stelmach: Mr. Speaker, well, at least he’s not asking for his resignation today. He’s just asking to lay off, I guess. [interjections] Oh, that’s what he means: lay off now. Okay. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to consult with Albertans.

Recently having travelled to a number of communities in Alberta, we’ve heard a lot from medical/ health care professionals – doctors, nurses, other allied health care professionals – that are working together in communities to see how they can improve access, improve quality of care, keep costs reasonable but at the same time, again, ensure that we have this really good system, that all Albertans enjoy, for the next generation. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Premier suggested that it’s not his policies but his communication that’s flawed.

Albertans are very unhappy with the Premier’s health care policy. The best spin doctors in the world won’t change that. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s s till a pig. My question is to the Premier. Will you change direction on health care as Albertans demand, or is your promise of change just more spin? Mr. Stelmach: I’ll take your direction, Mr. Speaker. We’ll keep consulting with Albertans.

This is actually a very good discussion that we’re having because many people are coming forward and coming forward with good ideas on how we can change the way we deliver health services for the positive, how we can also deliver more seniors’ accommodation in the province of Alberta. That is one part of our population that has gone through some difficulty this last number of months with the downturn in the economy, losing some of their savings, and, of course, not getting very much in the bank in terms of what they have saved.

We’re all working together, and I know that Albertans will come together and find a resolution to some of the challenges we’re facing. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Strathcona, followed by the hon. Member for Lethbridge-East. H1N1 Influenza Immunization Mr. Quest: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this month the mass H1N1 immunization clinics were temporarily suspended due to long lineups at clinics and a short supply of the v accine. Since then the province has rolled out a more targeted campaign for priority groups eligible to get the vaccine.

To the Minister of Health and Wellness: now that everyone deemed a top priority for immunization is able to get it, what is the plan for making the vaccine available to the general public? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Liepert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our chief medical officer of health later this afternoon will be outlining plans for the remainder of this week, but in a nutshell we are at the point now where 1 in every 6 Albertans has been vaccinated, and that is a very significant achievement.

We will be, starting I believe tomorrow, offering vaccine to seniors in this province who are over the age of 75 and to their partner or spouse. Then, in addition to that, we’ll be later in the week rolling it out to additional seniors, and those details will be provided this afternoon. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Quest: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the program does open up to the general public, will people continue to have to go to these mass clinics, or will there be other options available to them for getting this vaccine? Mr.

Liepert: Well, that’s something we ’re going to continue to monitor as the week wears on, but we believe that by the end of this week we will be in a position where we can probably start to distribute the vaccine across the province to physicians, to pharma- cists, and to other providers. It has been a careful calculation of ensuring that we have the appropriate amount of vaccine, so as we move through the next four or five days and we see the take-up with the general population, it will give us a better sense of whether we’ll be able the following week to distribute on a broader basis.

The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Quest: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: what is being done to ensure that supply issues don’t create another scenario in which people are going to get the vaccine, only to be turned away at the door? Mr. Liepert: Well, that’s one of the reasons why we plan to roll it out in a staged way yet even this week. The last thing we want to see is seniors standing in line behind others who may be able to cope better than our seniors population.

Starting with those who are over 75 and their spouses or partners I think will work well, but again we want to manage it in a way to make sure that we don’t get into the situation that we had earlier in the week. All indications of the past week are that the panic has subsided, but Albertans are still aware that the vaccine is necessary. I just want to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to thank all of those who have been involved in this program over the past three weeks through the health care system.

As I say, a tremendous a chievement, probably the best on a per capita basis anywhere in Canada, when at least half a million people in this province now are vaccinated. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-East, followed by the hon. Member for Athabasca-Redwater. Pastoral Care in Health Facilities Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Health and Wellness and the CEO of Alberta Health Services have shown that

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091780 *See page 1815, left column, paragraph 10 they’re not concerned with real people but only with what can be measured and put on a chart or a graph. Caring, empathy, comfort, and dignity are neglected. To the minister of health: can the minister explain why pastoral care is being cut across this province?* Mr. Liepert: Well, I asked that same question of the CEO of Alberta Health Services, and he assures me – because I had some- one, when I was in Lacombe recently, ask that same question. I’ve been given the assurance that that is not happening.

I’d be happy to inquire further as a result of the member’s question, and if there’s something that’s different, I’ll answer the House later in the week. Ms Pastoor: Thank you. I’ll look forward to that answer. A nationally and internationally recognized and respected pastoral care clergyman who devoted 23 years of his life at the Royal Alex hospital was terminated and escorted out of the hospital by security guards like a common criminal. Mr. Minister, what on earth is going on in this province? Mr. Liepert: Well, one of the things I have learned in the short time in this House, Mr.

Speaker, is not to take very much of the

preamble of the opposition’s questions as fact, so I will inquire into that and report back along with my earlier commitment. The Speaker: The hon. member. Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am more than convinced that the minister will find that, in fact, that is a fact. Will the minister agree that the priceless value return from the people who do chaplaincy work is worth the meagre amount that they take out of the health care budget? Mr. Liepert: Well, again, I’m not familiar with what part of the health care budget we would be talking about.

I will endeavour to get the answer to the member, as I promised earlier in question period, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Athabasca-Redwater, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. International Trade Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Way Forward is Alberta’s four-point economic recovery plan, and one of the points in the plan is ensuring that Alberta’s energy sector and other industries are globally competitive and continue to attract invest- ment. This point is especially im portant to my constituency in the Alberta Industrial Heartland.

My first question is to the new and able Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. Can the minister tell us how his ministry is helping to ensure Alberta’s industry remains internationally profiled and competitive in the midst of this global recession? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Webber: Well, thank you, and thank you, hon. member. My first question. I’m honoured that I take my first question from such an honourable person, so thank you very much. I’d have to say that, yes, absolutely, Mr.

Speaker, my ministry is focused on maintaining a strong presence on the world stage even through these tough economic times. We will continue to defend our export markets. We do have numerous trade missions as well throughout the globe, and we will continue to do so in order to build our opportunity for this province. We also have nine international offices. I won’t name them all, but I will tell you that through these offices we will continue to promote Alberta. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Every year the Alberta Industrial Heartland associations and local municipalities do a great job to send a trade mission to Texas to encourage investment in this growing region of Alberta. They are planning their next one for March of 2010. To the same minister: what is his government doing to help this important group of community and business leaders build stronger relationships with our neighbours to the south and help to attract new business and value-add to the Industrial Heart- land? Mr. Webber: Oh, boy, that was a long question, Mr. Speaker, and I will try to answer everything that was asked.

Our offices do work in DC with respect to providing e ssential services to help Alberta companies compete south of the border, including Texas, as the hon. member alluded to. My department does not, though, provide funding to these organizations to cover their costs. We do, however, have department staff that can promote and provide advice and facilitate meetings with senior officials across the United States, not only in Texas. We do have a very strong relationship with govern- ments and businesses in Texas. In fact, our Premier just recently went on a trade mission himself down to Texas.

I would encourage any Alberta business or community member to contact my depart- ment if they are looking for information on trade missions. Thank you. 2:10 The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My final question to the same minister: in our current economic situation are we getting good results from our investment in these international offices, and does it make sense to continue to invest in these international offices? Mr. Webber: That was a great question as well, Mr. Speaker.

During these tough economic times the specialized knowledge of local markets and the advocacy efforts of our international offices are critical. As I mentioned, we do have nine international offices in trade. An Hon. Member: Where are they all? Mr. Webber: Please, please. I can’t even hear myself think in this room. It’s getting so busy here. Thank you very much. I’ve been trying to answer questions. Anyway, we are facilitating a number of networking opportunities throughout the world. We have 200 trade shows, Mr. Speaker . . . The Speaker: Unfortunately, hon. minister, doing this doesn’t give you more time.

The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre, followed by the hon. Member for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne. H1N1 Influenza Immunization for Homeless People Ms Blakeman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After questions in this House about v accine clinics for the homeless in the inner city a flurry of phone calls erupted from the minister’s office, and on

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1781 October 30 a clinic opened at the Hope Mission and was then cancelled. Other clinics for the Boyle McCauley health centre, Operation Friendship, and Boyle Street Community Services centre never opened. The agencies who serve the inner-city population were surprised they were not provided with vaccine to distribute as part of last week’s expansion to include vulnerable people. To the minister of health: what can the minister tell these agencies about timelines now? Mr.

Liepert: Well, I don’t want to sound like someone who’s going to take another question under advisement, but I have to. It is my understanding, in consultation with the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, that the vaccine had been provided to the homeless. Now, I don’t have where exactly it was provided to the homeless, but I will check into it and get an answer by tomorrow for the member. The Speaker: The hon. member. Ms Blakeman: Well, thank you.

Yes, if the minister can confirm that government will release vaccine s upplies to these agencies to administer for the inner-city population of vulnerable people, which, of course, includes the homeless and those who are immune compromised, we would appreciate it. Mr. Liepert: I can give the member that assurance. I’m going to ask the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs to supplement the answer, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. Fritz: Thank you. I’m pleased to let you know, Mr. Speaker, that at Hope Mission we did vaccinate 289 people.

With the change in the priority plan that has occurred most recently, the homeless are very much in the high-priority area. I can also assure this member that the Boyle health centre will be receiving the vaccine very shortly, I think tomorrow or the next day, and they will be out vaccinating more of the homeless. The Speaker: The hon. member. Ms Blakeman: Thank you.

Back to the Minister of Health and Wellness: given that the Edmonton Police Service requested special treatment for its front-line officers and was turned down the same day that a special clinic was held for friends, family, and team members of a hockey club, when will the minister release the ethical guidelines that established the priority ranking for vulnerable people and allowed for these two groups to be treated in the order that they were? Mr. Liepert: Well, Mr. Speaker, we’ve dealt with the issue in Calgary relative to what the member raises.

I am pleased to say that effective today any of the first responders – firefighters, police – can get vaccinated. They are in that group. They can go to a mass clinic any time today and going forward. In addition to that, we will be making arrangements today with the various municipalities around the province to provide the vaccine. In most cases the municipalities are wanting to do the vaccination themselves. If they choose to do it that way, we will provide them the vaccine, and those arrange- ments are being made today by Alberta Health Services. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Whitecourt-Ste.

Anne, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity. Sour Gas Well Licensing Mr. VanderBurg: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many of my constitu- ents work within the sour gas industry and have expressed concerns regarding the recent ERCB suspensions on issuing sour gas licences. My questions are all to the Minister of Energy. Can you please elaborate on why the ERCB suspended the licensing in the first place? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Knight: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Of course, I’ll preface my comment and answer here with the statement that the province of Alberta under the direction of our regulator, the ERCB, for about 60 years has had a very, very solid record with respect to developing these resources in the province. What had happened, Mr. Speaker, was that there was an inconsis- tency in the area description of emergency preparedness zones and a protective action zone. The courts rightly noticed the discrepancy and asked the ERCB to take corrective action. Mr. VanderBurg: Thank you, Mr. Minister. Back to you again.

I do agree that the ERCB has had a great working record in this province, working with the oil and gas industry and helping to develop it. But I’m concerned that this may have a negative effect upon the ability of the sour gas industry to get back to work and to business as usual. Can the minister comment on that? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Knight: Yes, Mr. Speaker. People are very concerned across the province with respect to this issue . I can tell the member, the House, and all Albertans that the issue has been recognized and dealt with.

I believe that the 69 licences that were affected by this decision have now been released. Mr. VanderBurg: Again to the same minister, and thank you for those comments. The resizing of these protective action zones is more than industry; there are people that live within these regions. What impact on the safety of Albertans who reside in these zones will occur now? Mr. Knight: Mr. Speaker, of course, as you would know, the number one mandate that the ERCB has is the protection of Albertans relative to development of industry in the province of Alberta.

What’s happened here is that the clarification of protective action zones has absolutely no effect on the health and safety of Albertans. As a matter of fact, the clarification will in fact enhance the protection and safety of Albertans. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Fine Arts Education Curriculum Review Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The fine arts contribute so much to our society, economy, and the development of our young people.

However, this government is using a curriculum review to deliberately weaken valuable fine arts programs in our schools. Students, parents, and teachers are outraged. My questions are to the Minister of Education. If the government truly believes in the importance of our fine arts programs, why is this minister dramati- cally cutting the amount of student instructional time for fine arts in the K to 12 curriculum?

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091782 Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, the short answer is that this member couldn’t be further from what actually is going on than he is in that statement. First of all, the arts are not peripheral to education. The arts are fundamental to education in this province, and they will remain so. What the hon. member is referring to is the fact that we are doing a review of the arts curriculum, which hasn’t been done in 20 or 25 years in the province. In September a draft of a framework for the preparation of a new curriculum was posted on the website and sent out to stakeholders for comment.

It was put up specifically so that people can comment on it, get back to us, and let us know what they like about it and what they don’t like about it. We’re hearing back from lots of people. It’s part of the public process of consultation before you do anything with the arts. Nothing could be more fundamental than arts to education. Mr. Chase: Well, unfortunately, the ministry is putting out mixed messages; for example, cutting down five credits to one credit and limiting the amount of time. The minister talked about consultation, so here is the question with regard to consultation.

Given that the government failed to properly consult with Albertans prior to this review, will the minister commit to extending the January deadline for feedback on these proposed changes? Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, these are not proposed changes. This is a proposed draft for a framework to discuss what the curriculum should look like. In that draft framework what they’ve put up is one process which would suggest that modules for the arts could be set up. There’s no intention at all to move away from intensive arts courses for those who want to take intensive arts courses.

What it’s really trying to accomplish is to move arts right into the curriculum and right across the curriculum because, as we know, moving forward, innovation and creativity are going to be fundamental skills for 21st century Albertans. 2:20 Mr. Chase: This daft draft that you have put out is causing confu- sion. This government has already damaged any kind of discussion of religion and sexuality with Bill 44, and now it’s targeting the fine arts. Will the minister tell Albertans which aspect of the K to 12 curriculum he intends to undermine next? Mr. Hancock: Mr. Speaker, I won’t comment on what is daft.

I’ll only say this, and I’ll say it again. We’ve been talking about Inspiring Education. We’ve been talking about what education looks like 20 years from now, what we need so that Albertans can be prepared to trade out into the world. We know that as part of that, innovation and creativity are fundamental. The arts is fundamental and core to our curriculum. It will remain core to our curriculum. We will continue the discussion with Albertans as we have for the past year – going out with focus groups, going out with discussion groups – in the way that curriculum is normally developed.

We’ve put up a framework for discussion. That framework is open for discussion until the end of January, and once all the feedback comes in, there’ll be more opportunities for everyone interested to partici- pate. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-East. Critical Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nothing has changed in the way Tories do business since their much-anticipated convention.

Half of their party’s most faithful told them that they wanted Bill 50 scrapped, but this government says it won’t even listen to them. To the Minister of Energy: why do you insist on eliminating public input into the proposed transmission lines? What are you afraid of? Mr. Snelgrove: The big bad wolf. Mr. Knight: No, not the big bad wolf. Mr. Speaker, the truth of the matter is that since 2007 there have been 300 open, public meetings . . . An Hon. Member: How many? Mr. Knight: Three hundred. . . . with respect to the transmission system in Alberta and how we should move forward with it.

I’m not sure what part of that is not understandable, but we’ve done a lot of public consultation. We will continue to do that, and the AUC will still direct at the end of the day a public and open meeting with respect to siting and the other issues around transmission. Ms Notley: Well, Mr. Speaker, that’s not good enough. Experts are telling us that the Premier and the minister are exaggerating the true need for the massive transmission expansion that’s being proposed; meanwhile, the government’s spin doctors warn of apocalyptic power outages and crumbling infrastructure.

This dichotomy of opinion is the very thing that public hearings are meant to sort through. Why is the minister so afraid to test his arguments in public? Is your spin really that thin? Mr. Knight: Mr. Speaker, I don’t know how many times that I would have to actually repeat this. However, I will do it one more time and perhaps more.

The Alberta Utilities Commission has a mandate to work in the public interest, and their mandate includes – includes – the fact that there will be open, public hearings where intervention is not only allowed but encouraged to make sure that at the end of the day, in the public interest, the decisions they make are the right decisions for all Albertans. Ms Notley: Well, Mr. Speaker, this government is proposing to allow the power companies to spend billions of dollars to overbuild capacity completely at the expense of the consumer and without giving them the chance to voice their opinion.

Power companies are looking at massive profits, and you’re asking the general public to finance it. Why won’t you withdraw this antidemocratic and unnecessary legislation that railroads Albertans into paying more for power they don’t need? Mr. Knight: Well, Mr. Speaker, I would be pleased, actually, to engage with the electrical engineers that she has used, obviously, to indicate that we’re doing something that is not in the public interest. If they have more engineers than AESO that have a better idea of what we should do, I would be very pleased to engage with them.

The 200-plus – 200-plus – professional electrical engineers and technicians are the people that plan the system for Albertans. I think that that speaks for itself. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-East, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Buffalo. Employment Insurance Benefit Program Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like many other jurisdic- tions Alberta is facing higher than normal unemployment numbers. Some must rely on the federal EI program for temporary support.

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1783 However, Albertans are subject to different criteria due to regional variations in eligibility requirements. An applicant in my constitu- ency of Calgary-East, for example, must work at least 665 hours to qualify, compared to the lower extreme of 420 hours in Newfound- land. To the Minister of Employment and Immigration: what is being done to ensure that Albertans are treated fairly in the EI system? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Goudreau: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We recognize that it is very difficult when somebody becomes unemployed, and we are concerned that benefits vary based on local unemployment rates. We’ve raised this particular issue at several federal-provincial- territorial meetings of first ministers. Our view is that EI should provide Canadians with equitable support regardless of where they live. But besides reforming EI, our top priority is getting Albertans back to work. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a result of the minister raising this issue, what has resulted from Alberta’s lobbying efforts to reform the EI program?

The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Goudreau: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Alberta and the other western provinces are in general agreement when it comes to EI reforms. The federal government announced it would provide additional EI benefits to unemployed long-tenured workers. While we support those changes to employment insurance, we still feel it does not address the issue of access to EI benefits regardless of where individuals live. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again to the Minister of Employment and Immigration: what measures are in place for Albertans who cannot find work and cannot qualify for EI in their region? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Goudreau: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’ve got two major federal funding agreements to support those who do not qualify for EI. These agreements support a wide range of training, employment, and career development opportunities. This week, for example, my staff are organizing job fairs for recruiting employers like Momen- tum, Southland Transportation, Blockbuster, and Sun Life Financial.

This year we plan to help over 155,000 Albertans through a range of provincial and federally funded employment and training services. Electoral Reform Mr. Hehr: Mr. Speaker, Alberta’s former Chief Electoral Officer provided this government with a wealth of material to improve electoral practices before being unceremoniously shown the door. Research from the 2008 election revealed that 61 per cent of those who didn’t vote would have been more likely to cast a ballot if they could vote at any polling station.

Will the Minister of Justice commit to amending the Election Act to change these outdated residency requirements? The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Ms Redford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The former Chief Electoral Officer did provide a number of recommendations that we are currently reviewing and will bring to the Legislature in due course. Mr. Hehr: Well, Mr. Speaker, on that, what about allowing advance polling stations to be placed in high-traffic areas such as malls and universities to improve voter particip ation? This was also in the Chief Electoral Officer’s report.

I was wondering if the minister will be committing to this any time soon. The Speaker: The hon. minister. Ms Redford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s a second recommen- dation from the former Chief Electoral Officer. I don’t know if the hon. member has ever had an opportunity to be involved in adminis- tering an election. What I will tell you is that in a province of this size, with 3 and a half million people, if you start to remove residency requirements, you run into a number of incredibly problematic situations with respect to how you actually calculate the ballots on a constituency-by-constituency basis.

The recommendations will be reviewed. The legislation will be tabled. He can introduce those issues at that time. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Hehr: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. The hon. minister is correct. There were numerous problems with the last election, and the former Chief Electoral Officer was trying to comment on those through his 85 recommendations. Really, you know, I guess the next election is probably only two years away. Do you think we could have some legislation drafted by your department that maybe implements one or two of these things by the time that election comes?

The Speaker: T he hon. minister. Ms Redford: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that in my first two questions I did suggest that there would be legislation coming forward. I would also suggest respectfully that those two particular recommendations would not help to resolve problems but would add problems. The Speaker: The hon. Member for St. Albert, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-McCall. 2:30 Geothermal Energy for Home Heating Mr. Allred: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the ministers of Energy and Environment.

As we move toward a clean energy future, Albertans in their efforts to be part of the green energy solution are researching alternatives for heating their homes. I know that in my constituency alone more and more residents are examining the advantages of using geothermal energy as a sustain- able heating source. My first question to the Minister of Energy: what are the practicalities for Alberta homeowners wanting to switch to geothermal energy as a means of keeping warm during our frigid winters? Mr. Knight: Mr.

Speaker, first of all, of course, what the member is talking about is solar energy that’s stored in the earth’s surface. There are opportunities with heat pumps to recover that energy, but

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091784 switching becomes a bit problematic because of the economics of switching. However, most certainly, a lot of interest is being paid to and a lot of development being done on new build using a geother- mal heat source for home heating. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Allred: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A supplemental to the same minister: have subsurface studies been c onducted in Alberta to determine the capability of Alberta’s soils to make effective use of this energy source? Mr. Knight: Mr. Speaker, yes.

The answer to that is that the ERCB have the Alberta Geological Survey residing in the ERCB, and they are currently doing mapping of the province of Alberta relative to our geothermal capacity, the deep geothermal capacity. Again, they have already I think identified some very positive news for Alber- tans. There are opportunities where we could have things such as electrical power provided by deep geothermal heat and also things like district heating. It is doable, and there are places in Alberta where that exists. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Allred: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My final supplemental is to the Minister of Environment. Does the Department of Environment anticipate developing any programs to encourage the development of private geothermal systems in Alberta? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Renner: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Well, clearly, there’s no doubt that the government and Environment support the concept of geothermal. It really would be a strong plank in our commitment to our climate change strategy, that talks about reducing the overall carbon footprint through energy efficiency. There are two areas, Mr. Speaker. One is for the residential side.

On the residential side we do have an existing program right now where consumers can apply for up to $10,000 for investments that will significantly increase efficiency in home heating, and I would suggest that there are certain geothermal projects that would or could qualify under the EnerGuide rating. On the industrial side I think that there is promise that industry is showing interest in the area as well. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-McCall, followed by the hon. Member for Red Deer-South. All-terrain Vehicle Safety Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This government seems content to be the least responsible jurisdiction in the country when it comes to ATV safety. Yet another province, this time British Columbia, is moving ahead with safety laws for ATVs while in Alberta this government sits and does nothing. To the Minister of Transportation: why are you sitting ar ound doing nothing while other provincial governments are acting to protect their citizens? Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I absolutely disagree with the hon. member. This government is always up and moving. We’re never sitting around doing nothing.

But I’ll tell you: we really, honestly believe in safety. There are all kinds of things that we do for safety on ATVs. We have learn-to-ride education on it. That’s the biggest thing. If you don’t educate people on what the machine is, how they should ride it, what it’s capable of, you can put on all the gear in the world, and it isn’t going to help you.

We’re saying: teach yourself all the safety features of the equipment that you could possibly wear, also all the safety equipment that’s there on the machine, what size of machine you should have for the weight of the rider, and make sure that if they’re under age, you supervise them properly. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This minister talks a lot about developing helmet laws, but actually doing something is another matter, and while he was standing, he was still doing nothing.

When can Albertans expect to see action rather than talk from this minister with the introduction of a law to require helmet use on ATVs? Mr. Ouellette: Everyone that I know that rides ATVs that uses their common sense puts on a helmet. I’ve had ATVs my whole life, and I’ve had lots of people come over and enjoy the use of them. I’ve had people bring their children over. You know what, Mr. Speaker? If you brought your children over, I wouldn’t let them ride my machines unless you put helmets on their heads. That’s just common sense. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Now we’re going to talk about common sense. When asked about this issue, this Minister of Transportation talks a lot about how he feels that we need to rely on common sense, not laws. Well, helmet use on ATVs is as important as seat belts are in motor vehicles. Could the minister then explain why it is the government’s policy to enforce the wearing of seat belts in vehicle law rather than relying on common sense? Why is it a law? Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, as things evolve, so do regulations, so do laws, so does everything. With ATVs we’re working on a whole bunch of different issues.

There’s a difference with seat belts. The highways are all public. The roads are all public. But 95 per cent of the people that ride ATVs ride them on private land. We don’t have jurisdiction on that private land. Therefore, we’re looking at how we can make this work so it works everywhere. If you can’t make it effective, if you can’t police it, and if you can’t enforce it, there’s no sense having the law. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Red Deer-South, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Postsecondary Tuition Fees Mr. Dallas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Students across Alberta are expressing concerns about the prospect of having their tuition dramatically increased to help carry the load for postsecondary institutes having operating deficits. Three years ago the government limited tuition increases to the rate of inflation. Can the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology tell us if removing the tuition cap is being considered? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Horner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like any organization, when institutions are looking at tightening their belts, they look at almost

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1785 *This spelling could not be verified at the time of publication. all of the things around the bottom line. I can tell you that the tuition fee policy still governs how tuition rates are increased in the province. For 2010-11, as an example, we know that that limit will be at about 1.5 per cent. There is no discussion in this ministry right now about removing that tu ition cap, if you will, the CPI.

Some institutions have indicated to us that when we did the cap, as an example, I believe we rolled tuition fees back to 2004 levels, and when you look at other jurisdictions and across the country in terms of Canada, perhaps some of these programs need to be looked at. However, we’ve made it extremely clear to the postsecondaries that we’re only going to be looking at something that’s fair and equitable for the three clients we serve, and one of those clients is the student. Mr. Dallas: Mr. Speaker, my second question is to the same minister.

Recently the University of Alberta discussed implement- ing what they described as market modifiers. Can the minister explain market modifiers? Mr. Horner: Mr. Speaker, one of the things that Campus Alberta has discussed, and I alluded to it briefly in my first answer, is: are we comparable and competitive across the country in terms of tuition rates? Is it affordable? Is it accessible? With those three principles, if you will, in mind we have said that everything is open and on the table.

We’re in very interesting times when you have jurisdictions like the University of California, Berkeley, slashing their budgets by 20 per cent. We’re not looking at anything like that. We do need to make sure that nothing is off the table when it comes to achieving efficiencies, when it comes to adjustments in the system. But the institutions cannot apply a blanket tuition increase. Whatever proposal they bring forward to the department has to be fair, has to be equitable, and has to have a proper case behind it. Mr. Dallas: Mr.

Speaker, my third question to the same minister: do I understand that to mean that the minister is endorsing the use of these market modifiers on certain programs? 2:40 Mr. Horner: Well, Mr. Speaker, what I’ve suggested to the institutions is that we are open to whatever proposals they might want to bring forward; however, I am extremely concerned that those proposals have to be fair. They have to show a very solid reason as to why we would look at adjusting the base of a particular program or a particular tuition.

It has to be fair not only to the institution but, for sure, to the student, the taxpayer, and society. Those are the three clients that we serve in Campus Alberta, and we’ll continue to do so. The Speaker: Hon. members, that was 96 questions and responses today. In a few seconds from now we’ll continue with the Routine. We’re still on members’ statements, but in the interim might we revert briefly to Introduction of Guests? [Unanimous consent granted] head: Introduction of Guests (continued) The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-East. Ms Pastoor: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to introduce to you and through you some guests that are here to witness the tabling of a petition regarding the construction of a badly needed new care centre in Stony Plain. These students heard about the petition and have been studying this issue as a project for their school. I’m very encouraged by the interest that these students have taken in their community. As I say their names, I would ask them to rise: Kyla Dobson, Brianna Dechaine,* Shelby Elder, and Shelby’s mother, Lynette Elder. Please join me in giving them the warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Little Bow.

Mr. McFarland: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure today to rise and introduce to you and to all members of the Assembly an old colleague and friend of many of us, Mr. Denis Ducharme, former MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake. Denis and his wife, Rose, were good friends of a lot of us in caucus. As a former seatmate I am still looking to renew acquaintances with you, and I welcome you back to the Assembly. Next time bring the Road Runner. Thank you. head: Members’ Statements (continued) The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Mountain View. Public Health Care in Alberta Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Our public health system is Alberta’s most cherishe d institution. More than that, public health care forms part of our core identity as Canadians. As Canadians we value universal access as a human right. There is nothing of greater value than the life of a human being, and as a society Canadians have chosen to take care of each other by creating a publicly funded health care system accessible to all, rich and poor. The ministry of health, therefore, is the most important department in government, charged with protecting and carefully managing the public institution that protects and nourishes life itself.

It’s a ministry that demands thoughtful, compassionate, and knowledge- able leadership. Alberta’s ministry of health today lacks this kind of leadership. From the beginning the Member for Calgary-West’s tenure as minister of health has been disastrous, especially in light of a predicted, planned pandemic.

He has proven his incompetence time and again: disbanding the health regions, AADAC, and the Cancer Board without a plan; dismissing top-level public health physicians before the pandemic; giving out millions in bonuses and severance packages for work left undone; running up massive deficits; opening new beds only to close old ones, with no net gain; downsizing Alberta Hospital Edmonton; spending tens of millions on new facilities only to let them stand empty due to a lack of doctors and nurses; allowing public long-term care to disintegrate; and failing Albertans with his botched H1N1 vaccine rollout.

Through it all this minister has refused to admit mistakes. His arrogance and lack of compassion for the thousands of lives that his decisions have affected are unacceptable. His refusal to give straight answers to this Legislature and firing staff instead of taking responsi- bility himself shows incredible disrespect for the status and tradition as a minister of the Crown. Surely, the Premier must realize by now that Albertans are sick of this minister and his ignorance of public health. One last time on behalf of all Albertans I implore the Premier: remove this minister. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Calgary-Fish Creek.

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091786 National Bullying Awareness Week Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Too often bullying is dismissed as a harmless and normal part of growing up, but bullying can have devastating consequences, especially on children and youth who may be kept from reaching their full potential by the hurtful words and actions of others. Something that can deeply scar so many lives should not be dismissed as just normal kids’ stuff. Bullying must not be tolerated any time, anywhere.

During national Bullying Awareness Week, from November 15 to 21, Albertans are reminded to think about the harmful impacts of bullying and to take steps to prevent it from happening in their homes, their schools, and their neighbourhoods. Alberta has shown tremendous leadership in creating safe and caring schools and promoting the prevention of bullying across the province. Through the bullying prevention strategy government ministries work closely with community groups and schools to prevent bullying at the local level. Preventing bullying isn’t just a job for government or schools.

As caring Albertans we all have a role to play in ensuring that people feel safe, supported, and respected in their communities. Albertans who would like more information about how to address bullying are encouraged to call the toll-free, 24-hour, seven-days-a- week bullying hotline at 1.888.456.2323. This helpline, Mr. Speaker, which I established when I was minister of children’s services, has received 1,200 calls since it was established three years ago. Additional information and resources are also available at www.bullyfreealberta.ca.

The website features fact sheets, preven- tion strategies, and links to other interactive websites designed to raise awareness about bullying. I encourage all Albertans to make use of these resources and become part of the solution to bullying. Together we can create brighter futures and safer communities for all Albertans. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner. National 4-H Month Mr. Jacobs: Thank you. I rise to recognize and wish you all a happy National 4-H Month. Today I want to acknowledge this incredibly valuable organization.

Throughout the month of Novem- ber we will be celebrating this organization. Mr. Speaker, 4-H is one of the longest running youth organiza- tions in our province, shaping the lives of youth and adults for more than 90 years. With over 250,000 alumni 4-H is one of the most respected and admired youth programs in Canada. This is a reputation that is well deserved.

By following the 4-H motto, Learn To Do by Doing, 4-H helps build communities by developing leadership and interpersonal and technical skills of members, giving youth the skills they need to succeed in life, and creating a network of friends across the entire country. Agriculture is vital to our province, and 4-H plays an important role in developing tomorrow’s leaders in the agricultural industry and rural communities. Our youth want to be involved, accepted, valued, and heard. In 4-H they run the show. That’s what makes it so successful. None of this, Mr.

Speaker, would be possible without the support of family and the terrific volunteer leadership from adults in the community. In honour of National 4-H Month I want to acknowl- edge the outstanding work of Alberta’s 4-H clubs and extend a warm thank you to the volunteers and applaud our young people. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lesser Slave Lake. Louis Riel Ms Calahasen: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, 124 years ago today, November 16, 1885, the leader of the Métis people, Louis Riel, was executed in Regina by the Canadian government for his

part in the Northwest Rebellion. A commemoration held here in the Legisla- ture for the beginning of Métis Week, attended by our Premier, the Minister of Aboriginal Relations, leaders of the opposition parties, and Métis leaders, was to honour Louis Riel, a man who believed in his people, the Métis. Today was not only significant of his death but signified the challenges that he experienced, like acceptance of being Métis, acceptance of the Michif language, acceptance of his culture and his heritage. He fought hard and stood steadfast in having Métis rights recognized.

It is a rare act, indeed, to stand up for what you believe in. In Métis circles today everyone knows Riel died for what he believed, and present-day Métis continue to work towards that belief.

Riel predicted his legacy before his hanging as he said, “I will perhaps be one day acknowledged as more than a leader of the half- breeds, and if I am I will have an opportunity of being acknowledged as a leader of good in this great country.” His dream of the recogni- tion of Métis and being recognized as a leader doing good in this country continues to be awakened in the Métis people of this province and has occurred in a number of ways: the establishment of Métis settlements, the first in Canada; the recognition of the Métis Nation of Alberta and the agreements with this province; the Michif language development, which is occurring by Métis; most of all, the awakening of pride in the music and dance of the Métis, like the young people who performed today.

Of course, there are still many challenges. However, like Riel, I believe in the Métis. I know they will thrive and will continue to fight for what’s rightfully theirs. Yes, Riel’s dream and prediction is awakening. 2:50 head: Presenting Petitions The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lethbridge-East. Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m proud to rise today to present on behalf of my colleague a petition signed by almost 1,500 Albertans, several of whom are joining us in the public gallery today.

The petition reads: We, the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the Government of Alberta to free up the allocated construction money for the Good Sa maritan Care Centre and start building the facility immediately. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Fort. Mr. Cao: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition from 44 Albertans who have signed following the format prescribed by our Legislative Assembly out of 326 who have signed a petition to the same call.

The petition reads: We, the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the Government . . . to: • Grandfather the rights and status of currently-practicing Registered Massage Therapis ts . . . in Alberta in a manner that they may continue their practice undisturbed and, when necessary, gradua lly upgrade to newly-pro- claimed standards of training, so as not to force current therapists to lose their ongoing income whilst upgrading and so to ensure that clients of said therapists will be able to use their insurance coverage in order to pay for massage services from current therapists.

This is the proper number of copies.

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1787 head: Tabling Returns and Reports The Speaker: Hon. Member for Calgary-Fort, do you have a tabling? Mr. Cao: I do have a tabling here. This is the petition to the minister of health by the same group, physical therapists, and it’s signed by 282 members and to the same cause that I just said in my petition. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Mr. MacDonald: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have one tabling today.

It’s a letter dated November 2, 2009, from the Alberta Children and Youth Services minister, and it is an answer to a question that I raised in this House on October 27. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, I have two tablings today. The first is another wonderful festival in my fabulous constituency of Edmonton-Centre and elsewhere in Edmonton. This is the Exposure festival, which is Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival, running for the rest of this week, so I’m tabling the listing of events and locations.

The second tabling I have is from a constituent, Cara Kane, who is writing to indicate her support for parts 2, 3, and 4 of Bill 48 but not with

part 1, which is the punitive part of that. Parts 2, 3, and 4 are around tobacco litigation. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity. Mr. Chase: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am tabling an information package from a group known as Save Our Fine Arts. I attended a meeting on Monday just north of Beaverbrook high school, which is a fine fine arts program. The connected material indicates two ways of connecting to the organization. One is at www.saveourfinearts.ca, and the second is a Facebook site entitled Petition Against New Alberta Fine Arts Curriculum.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, I want to table five copies of a letter that last week I tabled in response to a question from the Member for Edmonton-Riverview.

Unfortunately, the tabling last week was an unsigned letter, so I now would like to table five letters that are signed. head: Tablings to the Clerk The Clerk: I wish to advise the House that the following documents were deposited with the office of the Clerk pursuant to the Legisla- tive Assembly Act and the Government Accountability Act, the 2008-2009 annual reports for the following departments: Aboriginal Relations; Advanced Education and Technology; Agriculture and Rural Development; Children and Youth Services; Culture and Community Spirit; Education; Employment and Immigration; Energy; Environment; Executive Council; Finance and Enterprise; Health and Wellness; Housing and Urban Affairs; Infrastructure; International and Intergovernmental Relations; Justice; Municipal Affairs; Seniors and Community Supports; Service Alberta; Solicitor General and Public Security; Sustainable Resource Development; Tourism, Parks and Recreation; Transportation; and Treasury Board.

On behalf of the hon. Ms Evans, Minister of Finance and Enter- prise, pursuant to the Government Accountability Act the consoli- dated financial statements of the government of Alberta, annual report 2008-2009; and Measuring Up: Progress Report on the Government of Alberta Business Plan, annual report 2008-2009. head: Orders of the Day head: Public Bills and Orders Other than Government Bills and Orders Third Reading Bill 205 Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure (Third Party Advertising) Amendment Act, 2009 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Airdrie-Chestermere. Mr. Anderson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It is my sincere pleasure to rise today and lead off third-reading debate on Bill 205, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure (Third Party Advertising) Amendment Act. Bill 205 is a made-in-Alberta bill that addresses third-party finances and contributions disclosure. It places clear parameters around third-party advertising during provincial elections in a way that advances free speech and the right of people to express their views during an election period. The concept of this bill is not a new idea. In fact, Mr.

Speaker, across North America many jurisdictions have laws governing third- party financing. Some jurisdictions place spending limits, which would limit the amount that a third party could spend on election advertising, while other jurisdic tions ban third-party advertising altogether. For example, the federal government and British Columbia have capped the amount that a third party can spend on election advertising. That is not the case with Bill 205. We do not want to ban, cap, or limit the ability of third parties to spend on advertising during provincial elections.

Rather, what Bill 205 aims to achieve is a hybrid of many different approaches where the overall goal is to place third parties on the same level playing field as political parties. The logic behind this is clear. For example, if we were to put a cap of a certain amount of money that a third party could spend on election advertising, then basically we’d be giving political parties a monopoly on speech during an election. Instead, Bill 2005 is fair for all those participating in election advertising.

Bill 205 finds the balance between respecting the rights of free speech with the need to keep our democratic playing field fair and level. I would like to highlight some of the provisions of this legislation which would exemplify this balance. Bill 205 establishes a mecha- nism called the third-party election advertising account. All third parties would be required to establish such an account in order to run political advertising during a provincial election, much like political parties must do as well.

In addition, contributions by donors to this account would be set at a fair limit of $30,000 during an election year and $15,000 in a nonelection year. This also correlates with the contribution limits currently imposed on political parties. Mr. Speaker, all of the funds pl aced in these acc ounts could be spent by the third party during a provincial election. In other words, if a third party can raise millions of dollars from many different donors, they are free to spend every last cent of that during an election.

This concept limits the influence that can be brought about by large contributions without preventing the participation of large amounts of donors. Essentially, if a few wealthy organizations or individuals are proponents of an idea, although they are free to advocate that idea, their ability to use their large wealth to dominate

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091788 the media during an election will be reasonably limited under this legislation. These measures provide for the advancement of interests and ideas based not on the wealth of a few but upon that idea’s ab ility to attract popular support among many. I want to be clear that in no way does this legislation control, stifle, or restrict free speech.

In fact, freedom of speech will be enhanced by this bill by giving all ideas and viewpoints a more equal opportunity to flourish within our open and democratic society, and this is essential in a place like Alberta, where we believe so adamantly in the right of free speech. 3:00 Another important aspect of this bill relates to the transparency of third parties. One part of transparency in an open democracy is identifying who is supporting which idea and/or party so that voters can determine the intentions behind certain proposed ideas and legislation.

Bill 205 enhances transparency in this regard by requiring third parties to identify themselves on all advertising and promotional materials. Identification is important in ensuring accurate communication between a third party and its targeted audience. Bill 205 will also require a third party whose political advertising expenditures exceed $1,000 in an election year to submit a financial report to the Chief Electoral Officer, which would then disclose all advertising spending. Furthermore, this report would identify the donors who contributed more than $375 to a party’s election advertising account.

Again, these measures would be similar to the rules governing political parties. Ultimately, these steps will achieve greater clarity and acc ount- ability surrounding third-party advertising and provide the electorate with more information about who is financially supporting an idea. Mr. Speaker, we believe in transparency and accountability and in freedom of speech. These f undamental principles are clearly protected throughout Bill 205.

This bill strikes the balance between enhancing democratic fundamentals while achieving a more equitable and level playing field for third-party political advertising during elections. I believe this bill will strengthen transparency and democracy for all Albertans, and I encourage all members here today to stand in support of Bill 205. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity. Mr. Chase: Thank you. This Bill 205, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure (Third Party Advertising) Amendment Act, 2009, suffers from a similar circumstance to Janus on a two-f aced Roman coin.

On one side it talks about transparency, accountability, and freedom of speech, yet on the other side it talks a bout limita- tions. The side of the bill I support is the notion of accountability and transparency in terms of where the funding is coming from, who the donors are, and the size of the donation. Unfortunately, this type of transparency and accountability is lacking from our own government in terms of how it conducts its own leadership races.

The Premier, for example, has yet to disclose where $163,000 came from in terms of support, and the hon. minister of sustainable resources refuses to provide any information in terms of donors who supported his failed leadership bid. Therefore, the notion that this government is putting forward of transparency and accountability is at best questionable.

This government uses taxpayers’ money through its Public Affairs Bureau with over 100 full-time employees to put out what can best be described on a regular basis as either pablum or propaganda designed to support the Progressive Conservative Party, which is the governing party of this province. So the accountability and transpar- ency that Bill 205 purports to promote in terms of transparency and accountability and freedom of speech in reality seeks to limit those opportunities, to limit them specifically during an election period to the sum of $30,000.

During a nonelection period it wants to further limit it to $15,000. Now, I would have no trouble with the clauses that talk about: where does the money come from and which organizations are behind it? It’s very similar to the very limited offerings in our lobbyists registry, where basically a name is all you get and maybe a topic that was being discussed, but it doesn’t seem to go beyond that. If we want to be truly transparent and accountable, then eliminating the fear that some th ird party because of its pockets is going to influence the outcome of an election is rather ludicrous.

We saw what happened in the last election, where negative advertising, although very expensive negative advertising, had at best a limited effect and probably actually resulted in some sympa- thy vote for the government because it appeared that the leader of the government was being singled out for attack in terms of sort of fading black-and-white advertising, voice-overs, and so on. Obviously, Albertans don’t respond to negativity on a large scale. They’re looking for solutions alternatives.

If the third-party advertising is talking about what needs to be done, what should be done, and how we as a province could improve our transparency and our accountability and utilize our freedom of speech to put forward alternatives and concerns, then I would suggest that I could support Bill 205, but in its current unfortunate, schizophrenic circumstance the government has to decide whether transparency and accountability trump freedom of speech or whether they’re equally important. Mr.

Speaker, I am hoping that members will realize that if you have a good product, as it seems has been the case for 38 years according to Alberta voters, you s houldn’t be thre atened by another party attempting to express an opposition point of view. No campaign that I’m aware of these days can operate success- fully under $30,000. That’s an unfortunate situation that only individuals who are capable of raising beyond that amount are likely to have an opportunity to get elected.

It narrows the possibility and rules out the democratic experience for a number of Albertans who have good ideas but, unfortunately, shallow pockets. This is just one more method for Bill 205, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure (Third Party Advertising) Amendment Act, 2009, to limit the voice of third parties who may not agree with the direction the government is heading. Premier Klein had a way of singling out individuals that he disagreed with.

For example, he would throw members of Friends of Medicare in a lump with the Raging Grannies and any other group that opposed what his view of the right direction of the world was. It was hardly a subtle way of attempting to squash opposition, and I must admit, Mr. Speaker, that I proudly wore my left-wing nut pin that the Premier used to castigate and denounce anyone who didn’t follow his far right agenda. At least he was straightforward. What Bill 205 is doing is more of a subtle gag. It’s not nearly as subtle as what happened with the superboard in terms of Dr.

Duckett saying to all Alberta health care employees that they would not be allowed to blow the whistle. If they didn’t like what was happening or if they didn’t appreciate Dr. Duckett’s comments, for example, on nurses apparently being the highest paid in Canada or taking inordinately lengthy coffee breaks, they were told basically to shut up. Alberta has amongst its legislation a blockage of freedom of speech. Whistle-blower legislation is not only frowned upon; there’s an attempt to extend that gag. That’s exactly what Bill 205, Election

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1789 Finances and Contributions Disclosure (Third Party Advertising) Amendment Act, 2009, is doing. It talks about transparency and accountability. It talks about freedom of sp eech, but in fact it is attempting to limit freedom of speech. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, as I began, it’s a two-faced bill, and I can only s upport one of the faces. Therefore, I’ll have to vote against it. 3:10 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Egmont, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Mr. Denis: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I was pleased moments ago to hear the Member for Airdrie-Chestermere move third reading of Bill 205, and I just have some comments to add. I do want to thank this member for his work on this issue. It’s one that’s important to me as well, and this aspect of the election process that he has talked about, about adhering to ideals that we’ve come to associate with democracy – namely, fairness, equity, and honesty – is also quite important to me as well. Mr.

Speaker, I do believe that through this legislation this member has helped not only to highlight the need for consistency across jurisdictions but also to shed light on the necessity of ensuring an equal and level playing field during elections. Bill 205 also recognizes that we need to know certain things such as where and from whom our influences are coming. To this end, the purpose of this bill is to specify rules around third-party election advertising in the province, specifically related to contributions. Mr.

Speaker, this is to be achieved in part by clarifying the definition of what constitutes political advertising. Within Bill 205 political advertising is defined as that which promotes or opposes registered political parties in the province or the election of candidates in the Alberta Legislature. This would also include any advertising that may be more issue specific, wherein voters are encouraged to vote for or to not vote for parties or particular individual candidates in a constituency that supports or opposes a particular cause or point of view. It may seem somewhat convoluted, but just follow with me here.

Establishing the core

definitions is necessary to help determine what falls within the contribution rules to be established by Bill 205. One such rule, Mr. Speaker, includes the regulation of spending on political advertising by requiring that funds relating to that advertis- ing operate through an establishe d third-party election advertising account. Contributions to these accounts could be made by either the sponsor or by eligible donors, all of whom would be required to follow rules similar to those for registered political parties as found within the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act.

In this case eligible Alberta donors and third parties would include individuals, corporations, nonprofit groups, and trade unions. All around it’s not a self-serving exercise, Mr. Speaker. However, they cannot be charitable organizations, nor can they be those with political affiliations such as a candidate, as every member of this Assembly has been, a constituency association, or a registered political party. Mr. Speaker, some may suggest that these rules, if implemented, could limit or control the flow of information, ultimately restricting free speech.

Now, this argument is based, I would submit to you, on the flawed premise that in order for society to have free speech, we must only have two choices: allowing all free speech or allowing no free speech at the same time, all speech at all times by all people. Fortunately, the choice isn’t between allowing everything or nothing. It’s about determining where the measured and appropriate boundaries do exist and where we want them to exist and what’s in the best interest of our democracy in this province. The simple fact is that we do place limits on freedom of speech and expression for many reasons, Mr. Speaker.

One case is to limit cases of libel and slander, another is to eliminate the abuse of power, and another one is to ensure some measure, mode of decorum, professionalism, and good taste, which, of course, we have in this Assembly. Indeed, every society acknowledges that some limits need to be placed on free sp eech in order to achieve a balance between rights and responsibility. This is consistent with

section 1 of our Charter. Whether it’s in workplaces, public venues, or political debates, some limits in society are necessary to ensure that we balance appropriately the rights and freedoms with personal responsibility and, of course, good governance. In the end we’re always making assessments and judgments about how much to allow and how much to limit. Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, it is this common-sense approach that best serves this province, and it is the one that would help guide the implementation of Bill 205 and ensure a more measured mindset in political speech. Besides, Mr.

Speaker, the problem is not that there are too many restrictions or the kind of adver tising that may actually take place but, rather, that sufficient rules do not exist to keep the playing field level. Without a level playing field advertising may allow certain political interests or agendas to monopolize the political dialogue, particularly during elections. In this way, far from being an attack on freedom of speech, Bill 205 would enhance it. How? By implementing a simple, fair, and transparent set of rules.

Allowing them to donate and to support third parties that reflect their opinions and concerns allows for more direct voter participation from an individual basis. For the voter th ese rules help better identify who is trying to influence their vote through advertising. It also puts third parties on an equal footing with political parties, making advertising and rules more consistent across the board and preventing one third party from having an unfair advantage over another third party. Mr. Spe aker, this bill is also consistent with the example set by the Premier over the last few years.

This Premier has brought in a lobbyist registry since he came in. This Premier also has brought in all-party committees. This is consistent with accountability that’s been set from the top here. Earlier, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Transportation talked about ATVs. You may ask me: what do ATVs have to do with account- ability? Well, the distinction that the Minister of Transportation issued was that ATVs are usually on private land

whereas vehicles like the one I drive are usually on public land. Likewise, there also is a distinction in accountability. The distinction is that this would apply to public elections. The previous speaker, the Member for Calgary-Varsity, talked about how this should also apply to private elections. I disagree. I don’t feel that for the last leadership race that happened, the leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party should have to go and disclose her donations. Why? Because that’s a private election. Neither should anyone who actually ran for a political party in this province.

It’s a clear distinction between public and private. Obviously, the Member for Edmonton-Strathcona disagrees with me. Again, I’m quoting a Vue Weekly from October 22, 2009. Again I say, Mr. Speaker, that there’s a distinction between public and private elections. This deals with public accountability. A private election: it’s none of my business what happens in another party, who contributes to another leadership candidate’s coffers or war chest. That’s how they run their own business. This is about public accountability.

I would ask, therefore, just in conclusion that we should be supporting Bill 205 to the fullest degree. I’m happy it has made it to third reading, and I look forward to the rest of the debate. Thank you.

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20091790 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in order to speak in a very cautious and limited way in favour of this bill, and that is because it is a bill which moves us in a very, very ha lting and substandard and inadequate way towards the right destination, which, unfortunately, is too far off in the distance to see, but at least we’re going in that general direction.

That is about ensuring and enhancing transparency and accountability when it comes to election financing and also structuring our election financing in a way where the value of an individual’s dollar does not overtake the value of their vote, which, unfortunately, is a little bit of a question mark in Alberta at this point. We are moving towards having third parties governed by the same legislation that governs the political parties and candidates in Alberta, and that’s a good thing for all the reasons that proponents of the bill have identified.

The difficulty, unfortunately, is that the rules in Alberta which govern political parties and candidates are themselves inadequate. We have in Alberta what I would suggest are the most freewheeling election financing laws in the country, and it creates a number of problems. I’ll start first by just mentioning one shortfall which the previous speaker ended his comments on, which is the failure of our election laws to require candidates, either for leadership or for nomination, to disclose the sources of their funding.

I suggest that the argument is that these are private organizations, so why should we know how much they raise and from whom as they go about selecting their leader? That’s an interesting argument. However, I would have loved to have seen them or members of the government use that argument during their leadership contest for the current Premier because I’m pretty sure they ran ar ound telling people that if they wanted to have a say on who the Premier should be, they ought to buy a Tory membership and use that Tory membership to select the Premier.

I’m quite sure that that was the exact language that people were subjected to. 3:20 You know, there was certainly some merit to that position, and that is why, of course, those same people who buy those member- ships have a right to know who supports and funds different leadership campaigns. I find it interesting that to this date we have still not heard who financed the Premier’s successful leadership campaign, nor have we heard about who financed the unsuccessful leadership bid of the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development.

I suspect we might find that there are some similarities between that donor list and those who financed the new leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party, but there again we don’t know. This is politics. This is politics, and I think that to the extent that you can open that up for people to see it, then that’s what should happen. You know, I suggest that that should also be the case for people who run for nomination because, again, in many cases that nomination battle in some parts of the province ultimately amounts to the decision around who is going to be elected in that area.

In my own nomination – very, very small scale, of course, compared to the huge dollars that the members opposite engage in – I made a commitment that all those who donated to my nomination would have their names disclosed to the public because we felt that that was an important part of the political process. When one particular donor asked that their name not be disclosed to the public, I simply sent the money back to that person. I would suggest that that is the approach that all members of this Assembly should take.

Now, with respect overall to the funding and the rules around funding elections in Alberta the bottom line is this: we have a very inadequate set of rules. We allow for a maximum of $30,000 in election time. We allow for a maximum of $15,000 in other years. Depending on who you’re getting your money from, that can add up pretty quickly if people actually take advantage of those maximums. It was interesting to me.

Last Sunday I happened to be listening to the radio and heard an interesting political discussion on CKUA radio, and one of the people speaking there was the former Minister of Energy for this government, who is now a private citizen, Rick Orman. They were talking about the royalty rate issue, and they were talking about whether or not the apparent ascent of the Wildrose Alliance would result in yet even more cuts to the royalty rates enjoyed by oil companies in Alberta. The discussion was around whether there was a political desire for it on the part of the people of Alberta or not.

Interestingly – and I paraphrase here – one of the conclusions that Mr. Orman talked about was, well, whether it is or it isn’t something that the people of Alberta want. The political power base in this province is in Calgary because that’s where the money to fund politics comes from. It comes from the oil industry. They fund politicians whether it’s the Conservatives or the Wildrose Alliance or, to a lesser extent, the Liberal Party. This is what he said.

He said: for that reason, we could expect to see more movement towards reducing royalty rates even more because that’s what the political power brokers in Alberta want. That, my friends, is what is wrong with election financing in Alberta, and I would suggest that in the long run what we need to do is have third parties subjected to election financing rules. But we should then adopt the election financing rules used by the federal government, used by the province of Quebec, used by the province of Manitoba, where donors are individuals. The end. Corporations don’t get to donate. Unions don’t get to donate.

Voters get to donate. So voters remain the people who ultimately control the outcomes within our democratic system and are not, instead, the innocent observers on the sidelines. It is for that reason that we will give reluctant support to this bill but with the very strong proviso that there is a tremendous need for the province to overhaul the election financing rules overall. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre, followed by the hon. Member for Cypress-Medicine Hat. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr.

Speaker, for the opportunity to speak in third r eading to Bill 205, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure (Third Party Advertising) Amendment Act, 2009. You know, when I see situations that develop such as the one that led to the impetus for this bill, I’m always really curious about what started that. Why did this whole situation create itself? If I may hazard a little hypothesis here, I think there’s an immense amount of voter and active citizen frustration out there with the political system that we have. People feel that they cannot influence the political parties.

They cannot influence or move the party that has been in power for so many years in Alberta. They can get involved with other parties, but it doesn’t help to sort of shift or move that monolith that’s in place, so we end up with these splinter groups developing which are not political parties, but they may have come out of a special interest or they may have set themselves up as an alternative to the process. We end up with groups like Public Interest Alberta, Parkland, Pembina. That right there is a mix of sort of very specific focuses,

November 16, 2009 Alberta Hansard 1791 Pembina, obviously, on environmental and natural resource issues. Then there’s a whole other group in there that are the sort of traditional think tanks that tend to come out with a particular political bias like Canada West and the Fraser Institute, the centre for public policy, and a few other ones like that. I’m talking about the homegrown ones.

I am talking about ones like the Greater Edmonton Alliance, Public Interest Alberta because I do see them as flowing from that active citizen frustration that they could not either get entry to or kind of move the system that they were in. Interestingly, I think it has act ually served to in some ways entrench the system that we’re in because it certainly has syphoned money off of people who may have otherwise supported a political party, particularly political parties that were not the governing party. Those donations now tend to go to those groups, and of course they are active around election time.

So these are the groups that now the attempt is being made to capture. Of course, we have the very famous one from the recent election, which was a coalition of various unions and trade associations and worker associations that were specifically trying to make a point about the last government. Out of a particular set of circumstances we have citizens moving in a particular direction and creating a certain entity in order to explore something that suits them better than what we’re currently offering them.

That I take as a statement and an encouragement to work harder on how we’re offering up our individual access points to political parties. Certainly, in a younger demographic it seems they’re not very interested in joining political parties, and they say they never will be. It just doesn’t work the way they want it to. So who’s going to be captured under this legislation? That’s what we’re looking at in third reading. What’s the anticipated effect of this bill when it comes into place?

Well, I wonder if the sponsor of the bill anticipated that it would likely capture groups, possibly, like Public Interest Alberta, where it would now be having to disclose its finances, but in fact it raises money for a number of other activities that it gets involved in. So how do we divide up that transparency?

Do they have a right to say: well, we spent this amount of money during the election campaign or during the prescribed period, and that’s what you may have access to and look at, but the rest of our activities have taken place over a number of years and have involved policy development and conventions and all kinds of other activities. They did a series of seniors’ workshops, for example. You don’t get access to that because it’s not specifically directed to third-party advertising around an election campaign.

I don’t think that has been anticipated or explored by the sponsor of the bill, and I wonder if we have not created a rather large can of worms as a result of that. 3:30 The second thing for me that is a deciding factor in support or nonsupport of the bill is what I call the YISBYs, which is: yes, great idea, but not in my political party, or not in my backyard is another way of looking at it, so support for the general idea but not to apply to us, thank you very much. And here we have it. In fact, it was illustrated by a couple of the speakers supporting the bill.

Great idea; love transparency; everybody should have to admit to this, well, except not for leadership campaigns and not for nominations. That is where you create the problem. As soon as you start to have exceptions to transparency, you create that problem. There are some people that do not have to admit to this now – there’s a curtain they can stand behind; there’s a half-open door that they are looking through or that we can look through – and that’s where the problems are created. So it is that sort of YISBY. I have to, I think, give credit to someone else for coining that particular term.

I won’t name them at this point, but it’s not me, so I can’t take the credit for it. But that to me is the problem with what’s anticipated here. If we had said, “Yes, we’re going to throw this open, and we are going to deal with everybody that gets involved in third-party advertising in an election campaign,” and had a really clear and fairly wide- reaching definition ar ound that but also around the rest of the political process – if we’re going to talk about it, then let’s do it. It should be around nominations. It should be, in particular, around leadership. Where do we have a dividing line there?

Well, I would argue that there shouldn’t be one. You know, here we had the Wildrose Alliance. Well, th ey refused to give us, to make public, who donated to their leadership campaign or supported any given leadership candidate. But we had exactly the same thing when we had a leadership campaign in the governing party, and indeed that was what people were being approached with: you, too, can buy a membership and vote for your choice of the next Premier.

That’s exactly what they were selling, and I was horrified at the time that people that I knew and loved in the community could be enticed to buy a membership in a political party that they told me they did not support – why? – because they were going to get to vote for their choice of the next Premier. That entire contest is not covered under what this legislation would cover, and that to me is the fatal flaw in the bill because as soon as you start to create those YISBY moments – yes but not in my political party – that’s where the problem starts.

People fail to be convinced that there’s credibil- ity in the process when they can see immediately that well-publi- cized and well-known opportunities to hide behind that curtain or hide behind that door out in the hallway are within recent memory. So I appreciate what the member was trying to do in throwing open that transparency; I think he’s failed to do it. I have been fortunate to attend twice the COGEL conferences, which are the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws, and they have been great opportunities for me, and I’ve learned a lot.

I went to one a long time ago in Texas and more recently to one in Chicago, and both times I was really struck by what happens in the U.S., where there are no spending limits, but the trick is that everybody has to fess up. Even in that system they have people that go to great lengths not to be seen donating the money.

So they donate it through the names of their children, and companies donate it through the names of their executives who they give bonuses to – I’m moving my fingers in little air quotation marks there – with the expectation and the directive that those bonuses are funneled through to a political party. So even in a system where there are no limits – anybody can donate any amount of money, but you must fess up to it; you must put your name on it – there is a certain reluctance to have your name attached to a political donation, to be seen supporting a particular candidate.

I think that even if we got this far, it still wouldn’t solve the problem. Thank you very much. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cypress-Medicine Hat, followed by the hon. Member for Bonnyville-Cold Lake. Mr. Mitzel: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak to Bill 205, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure (Third Party Advertising) Amendment Act, 2009, brought forward by the hon. Member for Airdrie-Chestermere. By clearly defining the parameters around third-party spending on election advertising, the proposed legislation would help level the political playing field.

Indeed, Bill 205 recognizes the importance of po litical advertising and seeks to ensure that all Albertans, be they third-party sponsors or eligible donors, are more fully aware of the range of views that their donations may support. This helps safeguard free speech for Albertans and limits the ability of individual interests alone to direct a political dialogue and perhaps outcomes. At the same time, it enhanc

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20091116
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L27 S2 20091116 1330 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	06046e2c8918b5f838df866b497b2ea5602e62f3

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