Alberta Hansard — 21 November 2011, Afternoon sitting (13:30) (Legislature 27, Session 4)

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Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

Province of Alberta The 27th Legislature Fourth Session Alberta Hansard Monday, November 21, 2011 Issue 37 The Honourable Kenneth R. Kowalski, Speaker

Legislative Assembly of Alberta The 27th Legislature Fourth Session Kowalski, Hon. Ken, Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, Speaker Cao, Wayne C.N., Calgary-Fort, Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees Zwozdesky, Gene, Edmonton-Mill Creek, Deputy Chair of Committees Ady, Hon. Cindy, Calgary-Shaw (PC) Allred, Ken, St. Albert (PC) Amery, Moe, Calgary-East (PC) Anderson, Rob, Airdrie-Chestermere (W), Wildrose Opposition House Leader Benito, Carl, Edmonton-Mill Woods (PC) Berger, Evan, Livingstone-Macleod (PC) Bhardwaj, Naresh, Edmonton-Ellerslie (PC) Bhullar, Manmeet Singh, Calgary-Montrose (PC) Blackett, Hon.

Lindsay, Calgary-North West (PC) Blakeman, Laurie, Edmonton-Centre (AL), Official Opposition House Leader Boutilier, Guy C., Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo (

W) Brown, Dr. Neil, QC, Calgary-Nose Hill (PC) Calahasen, Pearl, Lesser Slave Lake (PC) Campbell, Robin, West Yellowhead (PC), Government Whip Chase, Harry B., Calgary-Varsity (AL) Dallas, Hon. Cal, Red Deer-South (PC) Danyluk, Hon. Ray, Lac La Biche-St. Paul (PC) DeLong, Alana, Calgary-Bow (PC) Denis, Hon. Jonathan, QC, Calgary-Egmont (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Doerksen, Arno, Strathmore-Brooks (PC) Drysdale, Wayne, Grande Prairie-Wapiti (PC), Deputy Government Whip Elniski, Doug, Edmonton-Calder (PC) Evans, Hon.

Iris, Sherwood Park (PC) Fawcett, Kyle, Calgary-North Hill (PC) Forsyth, Heather, Calgary-Fish Creek (W), Wildrose Opposition Whip Fritz, Hon. Yvonne, Calgary-Cross (PC) Goudreau, Hon. Hector G., Dunvegan-Central Peace (PC) Griffiths, Doug, Battle River-Wainwright (PC) Groeneveld, George, Highwood (PC) Hancock, Hon. Dave, QC, Edmonton-Whitemud (PC), Government House Leader Hayden, Hon. Jack, Drumheller-Stettler (PC) Hehr, Kent, Calgary-Buffalo (AL), Official Opposition Deputy Leader Hinman, Paul, Calgary-Glenmore (W), Wildrose Opposition Deputy Leader Horne, Fred, Edmonton-Rutherford (PC) Horner, Hon.

Doug, Spruce Grove-Sturgeon-St. Albert (PC) Jablonski, Hon. Mary Anne, Red Deer-North (PC) Jacobs, Broyce, Cardston-Taber-Warner (PC) Johnson, Jeff, Athabasca-Redwater (PC) Johnston, Art, Calgary-Hays (PC) Kang, Darshan S., Calgary-McCall (AL), Official Opposition Deputy Whip Klimchuk, Hon. Heather, Edmonton-Glenora (PC) Knight, Hon. Mel, Grande Prairie-Smoky (PC) Leskiw, Genia, Bonnyville-Cold Lake (PC) Liepert, Hon. Ron, Calgary-West (PC) Lindsay, Fred, Stony Plain (PC) Lukaszuk, Hon.

Thomas A., Edmonton-Castle Downs (PC) Deputy Government House Leader Lund, Ty, Rocky Mountain House (PC) MacDonald, Hugh, Edmonton-Gold Bar (AL) Marz, Richard, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (PC) Mason, Brian, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood (ND), Leader of the ND Opposition McFarland, Barry, Little Bow (PC) McQueen, Diana, Drayton Valley-Calmar (PC) Mitzel, Len, Cypress-Medicine Hat (PC) Morton, F.L., Foothills-Rocky View (PC) Notley, Rachel, Edmonton-Strathcona (ND), ND Opposition House Leader Oberle, Hon. Frank, Peace River (PC) Olson, Hon.

Verlyn, QC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose (PC), Deputy Government House Leader Ouellette, Hon. Luke, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake (PC) Pastoor, Bridget Brennan, Lethbridge-East (PC) Prins, Ray, Lacombe-Ponoka (PC) Quest, Dave, Strathcona (PC) Redford, Alison M., QC, Calgary-Elbow (PC), Premier Renner, Rob, Medicine Hat (PC) Rodney, Dave, Calgary-Lougheed (PC) Rogers, George, Leduc-Beaumont-Devon (PC) Sandhu, Peter, Edmonton-Manning (PC) Sarich, Janice, Edmonton-Decore (PC) Sherman, Dr. Raj, Edmonton-Meadowlark (AL), Leader of the Official Opposition Snelgrove, Hon. Lloyd, Vermilion-Lloydminster (PC) Stelmach, Hon.

Ed, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (PC) Swann, Dr. David, Calgary-Mountain View (AL) Taft, Dr. Kevin, Edmonton-Riverview (AL) Tarchuk, Janis, Banff-Cochrane (PC) Taylor, Dave, Calgary-Currie (AB) VanderBurg, George, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne (PC) Vandermeer, Tony, Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview (PC) Weadick, Hon. Greg, Lethbridge-West (PC) Webber, Hon. Len, Calgary-Foothills (PC) Woo-Paw, Teresa, Calgary-Mackay (PC) Xiao, David H., Edmonton-McClung (PC) Officers and Officials of the Legislative Assembly Clerk W.J. David McNeil Law Clerk/Director of Interparliamentary Relations Robert H.

Reynolds, QC Senior Parliamentary Counsel/ Director of House Services Shannon Dean Parliamentary Counsel Stephanie LeBlanc Committee Research Co-ordinator Philip Massolin Sergeant-at-Arms Brian G. Hodgson Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Chris Caughell Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Gordon H. Munk Managing Editor of Alberta Hansard Liz Sim Party standings: Progressive Conservative: 68 Alberta Liberal: 8 Wildrose Alliance: 4 New Democrat: 2 Alberta: 1

Executive Council Alison Redford Premier, President of Executive Council, Chair of Agenda and Priorities Committee Doug Horner Deputy Premier, President of Treasury Board and Enterprise Dave Hancock Minister of Human Services Ted Morton Minister of Energy Verlyn Olson Minister of Justice and Attorney General Fred Horne Minister of Health and Wellness Ron Liepert Minister of Finance Thomas Lukaszuk Minister of Educatio n, Political Minister for Edmonton Diana McQueen Minister of Environment and Water Jonathan Denis Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security Cal Dallas Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations, Political Minister for Central Alberta Evan Berger Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Political Minister for Southern Alberta Frank Oberle Minister of Sustainable Resource Development George VanderBurg Minister of Seniors Ray Danyluk Minister of Transportation Jeff Johnson Minister of Infrastructure, Political Minister for Northern Alberta Doug Griffiths Minister of Municipal Affairs Greg Weadick Minister of Advanced Education and Technology Jack Hayden Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation Heather Klimchuk Minister of Cu lture and Community Services Manmeet Singh Bhullar Minister of Service Alberta, Political Minister for Calgary Parliamentary Assistants Naresh Bhardwaj Health and Wellness Alana DeLong Seniors Arno Doerksen Human Services Kyle Fawcett Treasury Board and Enterprise Art Johnston Executive Council Barry McFarland Agriculture and Rural Development Len Mitzel Transportation Dave Rodney Sustainable Resource Development Janice Sarich Education David Xiao Energy

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Chair: Ms Tarchuk Deputy Chair: Mr. Elniski Anderson DeLong Groeneveld Johnston MacDonald Quest Taft Standing Committee on Community Development Chair: Mrs. Jablonski Deputy Chair: Mr. Chase Amery Blakeman Boutilier Calahasen Goudreau Groeneveld Lindsay Snelgrove Taylor Vandermeer Standing Committee on Education Chair: Mr. Zwozdesky Deputy Chair: Mr. Hehr Anderson Benito Brown Cao Chase Leskiw Marz Notley Sarich Tarchuk Standing Committee on Energy Chair: Mrs.

Ady Deputy Chair: Ms Blakeman Hehr Hinman Jacobs Johnston Lund Mason McFarland Rodney Webber Xiao Standing Committee on Finance Chair: Mr. Renner Deputy Chair: Mr. Kang Allred Anderson Drysdale Fawcett Knight Mitzel Prins Sandhu Taft Taylor Standing Committee on Legislative Offices Chair: Mr. Mitzel Deputy Chair: Mr. Lund Blackett Blakeman Brown Evans Hinman Lindsay MacDonald Marz Notley Quest Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services Chair: Mr. Kowalski Deputy Chair: Mr. Campbell Amery Anderson Elniski Evans Hehr Knight Leskiw Mason Pastoor Rogers Standing Committee on Private Bills Chair: Dr.

Brown Deputy Chair: Ms Woo-Paw Allred Benito Boutilier Calahasen Doerksen Drysdale Evans Groeneveld Hinman Jacobs Kang Knight Lindsay McFarland Sandhu Sarich Snelgrove Swann Xiao Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Chair: Mr. Prins Deputy Chair: Mr. Snelgrove Amery Boutilier Brown Calahasen DeLong Doerksen Forsyth Jacobs Knight Leskiw McFarland Mitzel Notley Pastoor Quest Stelmach Swann Tarchuk Taylor Standing Committee on Public Accounts Chair: Mr. MacDonald Deputy Chair: Mr.

Goudreau Allred Benito Calahasen Chase Elniski Fawcett Forsyth Groeneveld Kang Mason Rodney Sandhu Vandermeer Woo-Paw Xiao Standing Committee on Public Health and Safety Chair: Mrs. Fritz Deputy Chair: Ms Pastoor Bhardwaj Blackett DeLong Doerksen Forsyth Notley Ouellette Rogers Swann Woo-Paw Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search Committee Chair: Mr. Mitzel Deputy Chair: Mr. Lund Blakeman Hinman Lindsay Marz Notley Quest Rogers

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1191 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Monday, November 21, 2011 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 21, 2011 [The Speaker in the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon. Welcome back. Let us pray. As we begin our deliberations in this sitting of the Legislature, we ask for the insight we need to do our work to the benefit of our province and its people and to the benefit of our country. Amen. Hon. members and all of our guests, today we’ll be led in the singing of our national anthem by Mr. Paul Lorieau, who’s in the Speaker’s gallery.

I would ask that all 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. head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr. Olson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a pleasure to rise today to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly a very special guest, the acting chief of police from the Camrose Police Service, Mr. Lee Foreman. Lee moved from Medicine Hat to Camrose and joined the Camrose Police Service in 1982. He currently has over 29 years of public service with the Camrose Police Service and is the second in command as he’s the inspector in charge o f operations. In the past he has served in a variety of areas of the Camrose Police Service, primarily in patrol and investigations.

He is a proud father of three young adult boys and is proud to have raised them in the Camrose community. His contributions to the city should be commended. That’s why I’d ask Lee to rise so that he may receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. Mr. Denis: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise today to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly two distinguished Albertans, the first being Deputy Commissioner Dale McGowan, who is the commanding officer of K Division of the RCMP, stationed here in Edmonton.

Deputy Commissioner McGowan was born in Edmonton but has also served the RCMP in B.C., Saskatchewan, and all three northern territories. Sitting next to him is Chief Rod Knecht from the Edmonton Police Service. Chief Knecht is a native of Red Deer, Alberta, who has also served the RCMP throughout the country. We live in a terrific province, and I think we should feel much safer having quality individuals in senior roles like this running our police services. Please join me in welcoming them with the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Dr.

Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly a group of grade 6 students from Thorncliffe elementary school in my constituency of Edmonton- Meadowlark. This school is particu - larly special because of its excellent programs to individually assist students with special needs and with behavioural assistance as well as being a community school to 200 hard-working, very bright students, future leaders, I might say. Leading this group today is their teacher, Ms Karla Loberg.

They are seated in the gallery above, and I would now ask them to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Mr. MacDonald: Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to rise and introduce to you and through you to all hon. Members of this Legislative Assembly another visiting group, from the fine school of Forest Heights elementary in the constit - uency of Edmonton-Gold Bar. This group of 30 is sitting in the members’ gallery. They are led by their teachers Ms Fritz and Kim Tew.

Forest Heights elementary school has a regular English program as well as a German bilin gual program, and they are doing very, very well in the Forest Heights neighbourhood. This is a very exceptional group of students. When their report cards come out on December 2, I’m confident they will all have As. With that, I would ask them to please r ise and receive the warm traditional welcome of this Assembly. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Airdrie-Chestermere. Mr. Anderson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly a group of 89 exceptional students from George McDougall high school, a school that I attended when I was a little bit younger. They are in both of the galleries today. Their teachers are with them, Mr. Sharun and Ms Sawby, as well as their group leaders, a group of parents and so forth: Tiffany Ascione, Constable Henry, and Cindy Davis. If they could all please rise and accept the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Human Services. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a pleasure for me to rise today to introduce to you and through you to members of this Assembly Mr. Del Graff, Alberta’s Child and Youth Advocate. The office of the Child and Youth Advocate works with children who are receiving government services to ensure that we provide the highest level of assistance to these vulnerable youth. Of course, today he is very interested in the fact that we’ll be tabling

an act later in the House which will make the Child and Youth Advocate an officer of this Legislature. I will also have the privilege of tabling the latest annual report later today. Mr. Graff is joined today by Jackie Stewart, senior manager of advocacy services; Terri Davies, senior manager of legal representation for children and youth; Anita Lindstrom, systems analyst; Maxine Salopree, advocate; and Laura Gibson, legal representative for children and youth intake caseworker. Last year the advocate’s office provided more than 3,000 children and youth with advocacy services, including helping young people to under -

1192 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 stand their rights and making sure they have an opportunity to participate and be heard when decisions are being made about them. I’d ask them to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mr. Griffiths: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour today to rise to introduce to you and through you to members of this House Mrs. Shawna Benson. Shawna is a very close personal friend of mine. She grew up in Byemoor, where I taught for several years before I entered this House.

She has worked relentlessly on rural community building and on engaging youth in the political process. She is a true leader now and for the future, and she’s one of the most dynamic speakers you will ever hear. I’d ask Shawna, who’s sitting in the members’ gallery, to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Transportation. Mr. Danyluk: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce to you and through you to members of this Assembly two individuals that are very supportive of more administrative penalties for impaired drivers.

They ar e both from MADD Canada, an organization that doesn’t need any introduction. They have been advocating increased safety on our roads for a number of years, and I’m very glad that they are here today to help us introduce some strengthening legislation on im paired driving. They are sitting in the members’ gallery: Ms Louise Knox, a friend for many years and manager of the western provinces

chapter services; and Mr. Wayne Kauffeldt, past chair of the national board, now a spokesman for the national board. Ladi es and gentlemen, if you’d please receive them with the traditional warm welcome. 1:40 The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. Mr. Weadick: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce to you and through you two different groups. The first group, seated in the members’ gallery this afternoon, is from WorldSkills 2011 Team Alberta. We have three members of the Fierce Four, as we call them, as they were nicknamed in London.

First are Sean Donnan from Leduc, Nigel Renschler from Stettler, and Tim Twa from Calgary. They are joined by Skills Canada Alberta representatives Kari Zral, event and competitor coordinator; and Shawna Bourke, director of com - munications and programming. Unfortunately, the fourth member, Luke Moore of Innisfail, couldn’t be here, but we want to take a moment to honour him as well. I would ask that they please rise and receive and the warm welcome of this Assembly. The second introduction is some student representatives that are here today, Mr.

Speaker, to see some of the important legislation that’s coming forward. Two members of CAUS, which is the Council of Alberta University Students, M r. Duncan Wojtaszek and Mr. Farid Iskandar, are here. Also, from ASEC we have Ms Carol Neuman and Mr. Timothy Jobs. I would ask all of them to rise and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for St. Albert. Mr. Allred: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m especially pleased to rise today and introduce to you and through you to the Assembly the chair and three members of the St. Albert 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee.

This committee is chaired by Margaret Plain and compo sed of Kevin Jones, Susan Jones, and Barry Bailey, who are in the public gallery today. Vice -chair Carol Watamaniuk was not able to come today. Margaret and her committee have worked diligently over the past few years to organize a host of events that have gone on throughout 2011 to celebrate the history of St. Albert, the oldest nonfortified commu- nity west of Winnipeg. I would ask Ms Plain and the members of the committee to rise, and in turn I’d ask members to give them the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Grande Prairie-Wapiti. Mr. Drysdale: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today it is my honour and pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly Mr. Don Gnatiuk, president of Grande Prairie Regional College. Don is a relatively new member of my commu - nity, but he has made great strides in a short time to profile GPRC not just in Grande Prairie but in the whole province of Alberta. I’d ask him to stand and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr. Olson: Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.

It’s an honour to rise today to introduce a valued member of my department’s appeals, education, and prosecution policy branch, Alberta’s traffic safety co-ordinator, Mr. Robert Palser. Rob was the first Alberta Crown prosecutor to be designated as a qualified breathalyzer technician and is trained as a collision analyst and drug recognition evaluator. He also serves on the RCMP criminal crash investigation team for Alberta. He’s clearly the perfect person to help Alberta create new and more effective impaired driving legislation.

His efforts in this regard have been outstanding, and I’d like to recognize his efforts in the House today. It’s certainly an honour to speak about him as a valued member of my department. I’d ask hon . members to extend their warm greeting. head: Members’ Statements Tribute to Slave Lake Donors Ms Calahasen: Today belongs to all of the givers I was involved with as they donated to help evacuees from the two municipalities and First Nations which were affected by fire.

While our government went to great lengths to lessen the impact of the blaze, it is those wh o gave who have made quite a difference to the people who left their homes, sometimes with only the shirt on their back. I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of Albertans and Canadians alike. So many to thank: the organizers of the Hope Concert, which brought people together after the fires; the many companies – Laricina, Pembina Pipeline, and ATCO – and the Loon River and Sawridge First Nations, who made generous donations .

To Pro Bono Law Alberta, Legal Aid Alberta, and the many legal associations for providing free legal support to our residents. To institutions like ATB Financial, Scotiabank, and RBC for offering deferrals on loan payments for our residents. To AFSC for their willingness to help businesses get back on their feet. To all the retail stores who have offered discounts to the survivors of the fire as we reconstruct our lives.

To all those who collected, co -ordinated, and organized the massive outpouring of donations, especially the Slave Lake Rotary Club for the collection of many, many more donations which I do not have info on. To all the communities who ran collection drives. To Penn West for donating $250,000 to the Red Cross; EllisDon, $100,000; Merit Contractors for donating $5,000 to the

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1193 Red Cross, $2,500 to the Northern Haven women’s shelter, and $2,500 to the library; Alberta Sobey’s Round Up program to the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre, $67,132; Canadian Crude Separators, $100,000 to the Arctic Ice arena; Insurance Brokers to Slave Lake victims services, $12,000; to West Fraser Timber for donating a fire truck to the Lesser Slave Lake regional fire department. To Paul Brandt for his concert and for providing funds to the library.

A special thank you to Lynne Carr from Oakdale, Ontario, who collected quilts all across Canada and personally delivered them to Slave Lake with my colleague from St. Albert. To the Canadian Red Cross, the Mustard Seed, the Salvation Army, the fire departments from across Alberta, and all of those who accepted donations on our behalf. And to the dozens of volunteers who sorted through countless semitrailers of donated goods. My sincere gratitude to every individual and family who gave their hard -earned money to help our community get through this difficult time.

While no one can give the residents of my constituency their homes back, all of these gifts gave us the next best thing, hope. Thank you so much for all your generosity. Temporary Foreign Workers Mr. Chase: Mr. Speaker, enabling Albertans. Alberta needs an increase in the number of immigrants permitted under the provincial nominee program, which allows a faster tracking immigration process based on a person’s job qualifications to meet employment requirements in Alberta. However, as is the case with most immigration policy matters, the federal government sets the quotas for the provinces.

In sharp contrast to the global recession reality it would appear that a significant number of jobs are likely to be created in Alberta, thanks to our nonrenewable resource assets, which provides us with a degree of insulation from the economic downturn affecting the rest of the world. As opposed to temporary foreign workers, TFWs, who are questionably recruited and lack the protection afforded to citizens, immigrants are a key component of Alberta’s permanent employ- ment force.

Despite potential conflict in the competition for jobs, the Alberta Federation of Labour, AFL, to its credit has provided information and assistance to temporary foreign workers who were recruited to undercut wages of unionized employee s in a province where unions are afforded little recognition by both federal and provincial governments. TFWs have been used as pawns in forced contract agreements such as division 8, whereby the first signatory to the contract dictates the wages and work ing hours for the rest of the workers, whether union or nonunion.

Recently in the oil sands 200 unionized insulators were laid off and replaced by TFWs due to Alberta’s lax labour laws. Immigrants are frequently caught in a cruel ping -pong game, bounced back and forth between the federal government, that sets the rules for their entrance and stay in the country, and the province, which has jurisdiction over their health care, education, housing, employment, the daily quality of their life.

The offices of both one’s MLA and MP, whether having achieved or applying for landed immigrant status as the first step to full citizenship, if so desired, should be considered as both a priority and a right in acquiring information and in seeking support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. head: Oral Question Period The Speaker: First Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Health Quality Council Review Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A year ago Albertans found out what cabinet ministers have known for years. The health system is in crisis.

Now, the Premier, who campaigned on calling a public inquiry, has broken her promise to Albertans. The question is: what does she have to hide? To the Premier. What is the Premier most afraid of? Is it the damning testimony of doctors McNamee and Winton, what an investigation of her own cabinet ministers may reveal, or how Albertans will react to the truth and facts before an election? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, today is an exciting day in Alberta.

Today we are going to be tabling legislation that is going to ensure that we can have public, transparent, judge-led public inquiries into what’s going on in health care. I am very proud of the fact that Albertans are going to be able to find out exactly what’s going on in the system, and that’s the appropriate place for us to find out exactly how health care can be improved. 1:50 The Speaker: The hon. leader. Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again to the Premier: given that Hansard shows that after months of opposition pressure the government only agreed to a Health Quality Council inquiry on the day that the McNamee story aired on national TV, why should anyone trust this Premier’s and this government’s sincerity this time, when th e HQCA hand -off is so obviously intended to minimize the political damage of a real public inquiry? Ms Redford: You know, Mr. Speaker, I’m going back to six or seven months ago when I was sitting in this Legislature.

There were a number of issues with respect to health care, and my recollection is that hon. members of the opposition asked for the Health Quality Council to be given the authority to investigate and launch an inquiry. Today that legislation will be tabled, and the Health Quality Council will have more authority than they’ve ever had before. Dr. Sherman: Mr. Speaker, we have had the legislation in place for years, and many of those cabinet ministers and MLAs on that side have known about this.

Finally, to the Premier: given that we already have this legislation and the Premier has already flip -flopped many times, who is bullying the Premier out of calling a real public inquiry under the Public Inquiries Act? Why are you breaking your promise, Madam Premier? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, I think about my life, and I really can’t think of anybody who has ever bullied me into doing anything. But I will tell you that the legislation that’s being tabled today is being tabled because Albertans want to ensure that they know what’s going on with health care.

The Health Quality Council is more than qualified to do that work. They will be given additional powers to be able to do that work, and that’s good for Albertans. The Speaker: Second Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Health Care Privatization Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year this government downplayed these leaked health care privatization documents, but the fact remains that the government does intend to run a parallel private, for-profit health system. Why did the Minister of Health and

1194 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 Wellness present a privatization agenda to Albertans when they made it clear that they don’t want it? Mr. Horne: I presume that question was directed to me. You know, Mr. Speaker, earlier in this session and back in the spring we had a number of alleged, quote, privatization documents tabled in this House by members of the opposition. I don’t know about you, but we on this side of the House are getting a little tired of it. None of the documents that have been tabled in this House can be attributed to any member of this caucus.

The document that the hon. leader is holding up now is one such document. He’s offered no proof, no substantiation . . . The Speaker: The hon. leader. [interjection] The hon. leader, please. Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that this is the minister that presented this document at caucus, when he’s on the government’s side, and given that the former minister said that these documents simply reflect comments from average Albertans, wh y did the current minister tell the public that this is what he heard from Albertans and then tell caucus that this is what he heard from Albertans, more privatization?

Minister, tell the truth. Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, I must say it’s very illuminating to be told about the substance of caucus discussions on this side of the House by someone who’s standing on the other side of the House. The fact of the matter is that no other government has stood up stronger and harder for public health care than this gove rnment caucus, and we’ll continue to do so. If the hon. Leader of the Opposition is interested in tabling documents that are unattributed discussions to which he may or may not have been a party, I suppose that’s his business.

We’re interested in getting on with the business of . . . The Speaker: The hon. leader. [interjections] Okay, okay. The Leader of the Opposition is recognized. Nobody else is. Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Illumination is exactly what Albertans want. Let’s shed a little bit of sunlight onto the truth.

Given that the Premier was there when these documents were discussed and won her campaign on a pledge of public health care just like the previous Premier did, can the Premier just be honest with Albertans, admit that she and her whole caucus share the same privatization agenda after the next election just as her two predecessors did? Premier, can you please answer that question? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, I don’t know what the hon. member was doing all summer, but I think I was pret ty clear for over eight months that I am committed to a publicly funded health care system in Alberta, full stop.

The Speaker: Third Official Opposition main question. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Provincial Fiscal Policies Mr. MacDonald: Thank you. My first question is to the Premier. Why did this government feel it was necessary to handcuff the Minister of Finance by now requiring him to go to the President of the Treasury Board any time he wants to spend money in his department? The Speaker: The hon. the Premier. Ms Redford: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it’s wonderful that the hon. member is standing up for our Minister of Finance because he sometimes needs some help in our cabinet.

What I will tell you is that when you’re on this sid e of the House and you’re managing a government, you’re managing a cabinet, we have rules of protocol which allow for us as govern- ment to make decisions that are in the best interests of govern - ment. I know that everyone in our cabinet is committed to that. That involves speaking to each other, balancing priorities, and working together as a team, and that’s what we do. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. MacDonald: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that hon. minister’s history as a wild spender in health, I can see why you put the political handcuffs on him.

Now, again a promise. The $1.8 billion that’s in the Alberta sustainability fund: will the Premier please commit to this House that that money will not be used for the Progressive Conservative’s re-election slush fund in the next four months? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, we are the government of the day. We are committed to the future of this province. We are responsible fiscal conservatives that will ensure that we are managing a government and a budget and a caucus that’s going to ensure that Albertans have the best services possible now and in the future.

This random speculation is really out of sorts and not relevant to the real discussions in this House. Mr. MacDonald: Again to the Premier: if this is a government that holds true to fiscal responsibility, why was it necessary, in the second quarter that was released today, for this government to increase borrowing by $1.1 billion? That’s not being a fiscal conservative. Ask those guys. Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, the quarterly update today reported on the circumstances as they’ve existed for the past six months in terms of fiscal planning. There was nothing out of the ordinary. There was no exception.

There was no change in the way that we do business. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Fish Creek. Tom Baker Cancer Centre Pathology Lab Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since 2000 the world- class pathology lab at the Tom Baker cancer centre has developed and perfor med a variety of critical tests for cancer patients in Alberta. These tests are crucial in determining life-saving treat - ments. However, in nine days the cancer testing lab at the Tom Baker is going to be shut down. This superboard decision was made withou t consultation and despite questions and warnings from the lab’s director, Dr.

Tony Magliocco, and other pathol - ogists. To the Premier: will you heed the warnings and stop the closure of the Tom Baker cancer centre pathology lab today? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, when we’re managing health care, we have to understand that there are responsibilities the government takes on, and there are responsibilities that Alberta Health Services takes on. We know that some of the information we’ve seen today would certainly suggest that there’s been a disagreement within the workplace with respect to some decisions.

It’s entirely appropriate for those to be dealt with within the workplace, and that’s where we’ll leave them.

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1195 Mrs. Forsyth: It’s just so disgusting. Again to the Premier: given the proof of intimidation in the health care system and given that Dr. Magliocco has expressed no confidence in the Health Quality Council and, Premier, said he would return to Alberta to testify in a full judicial public inquiry, will you do the right thing, keep your promise of what you said you were going to do when you ran for leader, and call a full judicial public inquiry today and not your gobbledygook that you’re tabling later on? Ms Redford: Mr.

Speaker, I’m pleased to see that, in fact, if someone does have concerns with respect to doctor intimidation, they would be prepared to come to an inquiry. The legislation will be tabled in the House today to ensure that that can happen. If there are issues to be determined, then I have full confidence that the Health Quality Council is going to be able to get to the bottom of that, the physicians are going to be able to testify with protection. That’s where we’re going to deal with these issues, before we start suggesting that there may or may not be proof. Mrs. Forsyth: Given that Dr.

Magliocco was ignored, stonewalled, ostracized, and intimidated for raising his concerns over the planned closure, it’s clear that intimidation is real and world -class h ealth professionals are leaving this province. What are you going to do to stop other world- class professionals from leaving our province? Premier, call the public inquiry today. 2:00 Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, there will be legislation before this House tha t is going to allow for that inquiry to take place. It is very important that Albertans know what is happening, and it’s also very important that we do not jump to conclusions.

We know that there will be disagreements in workplaces, as we know there are in all workplaces, but when we start jumping to conclusions as to what that may or may not have resulted in or could have become, that is not appropriate for this House. The Speaker: Okay. I’ve heard language in here already that I’m not sure Hansard is goin g to pick up. I will not recognize members if they continue to interject when they’re not supposed to. I just simply will not recognize them when they think it’s their turn in the question period. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Health Care Premiums Mr.

Mason: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2008 the PC government did away with health care premiums. Today the Finance minister threatened to reintroduce health care premiums, a regressive tax that will cost every family over a thousand dollars regardless of their income. This is an insignificant amount for Alberta’s wealthiest individuals but a real burden on middle - and low-income families. My question is to the Premier. Will the government admit that this is going to be yet another tax and one that disproportionately and negatively affects middle- and low -income families in this province? Ms Redford: Mr.

Speaker, as the hon. member knows, this is exactly the point in time when we as a government are entering into budget deliberations. There are a number of points of view being expressed by Albertans across the province with respect to where we go in s ome difficult economic times. There’s no doubt, as both the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of Finance have said, that this is something that Albertans have raised with us. It was in that context that the comments were made. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Well, given that when the Conservatives did away with progressive income tax in this province, the Alberta Treasury estimated that it cost the province 1 and a half billion dollars a year way back in 2001 and that most of that was because of tax savings of up to $60,000 for some of the wealthiest individuals in this province, will the Premier admit that the real source of the deficit was the decision to cut taxes for the wealthiest Albertans several years ago? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, right now in Alberta we have a situation where there is a deficit. We also know that this is a very difficult economic time.

To start speculating on whether or not it has to do with whether or not a particular household income is paying more or less taxes from over six or seven years ago is not an appropriate analysis of the situation. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Well, given that this government seems desperate to try and find revenue that comes from the people least able to afford it instead of asking those who are wealthy and benefit from our society to pay their fair share and given that the health care premium goes into general revenues rather than into the health care system, will the Premier admit that it has nothing to do with health care and is simply another disproportionate tax on poor and middle-class families? Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, this particular member happened to be at the media conference that we had this morning.

I don’t think that he washed his ears this morning because what we said at that media conference was that in our round -table discussions across the province these issues were raised. We made no commitment in any particular direction other than to listen to Albertans. I must remind this hon. member that he was the one out there advocating that we increase royalties substantially for corporations in this province, which significantly impacted negatively the oil and gas industry. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Lougheed.

Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During her campaign for party leadership the Premier promised not only to raise the meagre monthly allowance that AISH recipients receive to $1,588, which barely approaches Alberta’s deplorable poverty line; she also promised to increase the preclawback amount for the small minority who are able to work. To the Premier: given that the ability to earn bolsters a sense of independence in those very few AISH recipients who are able to work, when can we expect the Premier to make good on her promise? The Speaker: The hon. the Premier.

Ms Redford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The hon. member raises a very important point. It is important for people to feel that, where possible, they can make a contribution to their life. We are at the moment, right now, in the middle of budget deliberations. This is part of how we move forward with respect to both fiscal policy and public policy, and I think the hon. member can look forward to the results of that very soon. The Speaker: The hon. member.

1196 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 Mr. Chase: Thank you. I can’t wait, and the poor people on AISH are considerably more desperate than I am. What does it say about this government’s support for vulnerable Albertans that it has since 2008 offered AISH recipients less and less initiative to earn, Madam Premier? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, I think what it says about this govern- ment is that in the past month and a half the party that is governing this province elected a leader that’s committed to improving the quality of life of AISH recipients, and we will do that in the next budget. Mr.

Chase: When will the Premier stop talking about improving AISH benefits and implement the necessary changes to assist highly vulnerable Albertans? Talk is cheap. Solutions are more expensive. Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member is very insightful in his comments. We are fully committed to honouring the commitment that I made, and we will do so. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -Lougheed, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Keystone Pipeline Project Mr. Rodney: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier has said that we cannot lobby the U.S. or intervene in their processes regarding the Keystone pipeline. My first question is indeed to the Premier. Can she please explain to Albertans and to this House what value, if any, her meetings with U.S. congressional leaders had in this regard, and can she update us on discussions she had along similar lines with Canadian counterparts? Ms Redford: Mr. Speaker, last week was a very interesting week, and I think that as Albertans we should be very proud of the reception we received in Washington, New York, Toronto, and Ottawa.

The reason for that is that we were able to go and talk about what Alberta is. We talked about our success as environ - mental stewards. We talked about being strong partners with the United States with respect to economic development. Fortunately for us, because of some announcements that the State Department had made, the regulatory process was suspended with respect to Keystone when I was there. So we also had the opportunity to advocate very strongly for Keystone both with the State Depart - ment as well as with bipartisan congressional leaders. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr.

Rodney: Thank you, Premier, and thank you, Mr. Speaker. My first supplemental is to the Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations. Considering the importance of Keystone, can the minister explain what good it is to have an interim envoy in Washington rather than employing someone on a longer term basis? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Dallas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dave Bronconnier’s posting is, in fact, a very important assignment that comes at a very important time.

Issues such as the Keystone XL and the oil sands are critically important issues that are front and centre to discuss in U.S. politics at this time. Dave has a significant voice. He gets the attention of the important decision -makers in the U.S, and I’m very confident that he will have an impact not only in Washington but in other key places around the United States. Mr. Rodney: Thank you, Minister. My final supplemental is to the Minister of Environment and Water. Obviously, Keystone is of vital importance to citizen s across our country as well.

During her visit to Ottawa last week was she able to get any kind of indication of when we’ll see some real movement with our federal counterparts on world-class, joint monitoring systems for the oil sands so that this and other pipelines receive the required seals of approval as soon as possible? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the member for the question. Well, I can tell the hon. member that we’ve been having some good conversations with the federal minister.

We’re making great strides to move forward with our monitoring system, and I’m looking forward to the work that we’re going to do together to have one first-class monitoring system here in Alberta with both the federal and provincial governments. We’re moving very well on this. I’ve had a couple of conversations, and I look forward to announcing something with that minister soon. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar , followed by the hon. Member for Strathmore-Brooks. Fixed Election Dates Mr. MacDonald: Thank you. We have yet another broken promise from this Premier and this government.

The promise was fixed election dates, but instead we have a fixed election season. Now, to the Minister of Justice: when every other Canadian jurisdiction that has fixed election dates actually has that, a fixed date for the election, one day, why would Alberta need a three - month political window? Mr. Olson: Mr. Speaker, we’re going to be introducing legislation in a little while here, and I would prefer to have that debate after we’ve introduced the legislation. The hon. member will have all kinds of opportunity to debate at that point. Mr. MacDonald: Again, Mr. Speaker, to the same minister, the hon.

Minister of Justice, who should be able to answer the question. Hopefully, he’s capable. What challenges do Alberta voters face that other Canadian voters don’t when they can have one day for fixed elections, and you want this three -month-long political window? 2:10 Mr. Olson: Well, I’m very happy to have the debate now. I think we’ll have a little bit more time later. It’s not a question of Albertans facing unique challenges; it’s a question of a made -in- Alberta solution that makes sense for Albertans. Mr.

MacDonald: This is not a made-in -Alberta solution; this is a Progressive Conservative made-in-Alberta solution. Now, what is this government so afraid of that you can’t pick one date every four years for Albertans to elect their government? Mr. Olson: Mr. Speaker, it’s not a question of being fearful of anything. I would imagine that anybody could figure out that when there’s a three-month window to host and have an election, they should be ready for it at any time within that three months. It’s very reasonable, and it’s very flexible. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Strathmore-Brooks, followed by the hon.

Member for Edmonton-Centre.

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1197 Provincial Achievement Tests Mr. Doerksen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There’s been some indication that this government will end the provincial achievement tests for grades 3 and 6 students. My questions are to the Minister of Education. Is the minister planning to cancel the provincial achieve- ment tests? Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr. Speaker, I will not pre -empt the outcome of a very healthy discussion I’m having right now with the Alberta School Boards Association and many individual school boards, with the parent council associations, and with parents, students, and others.

What I can undertake at this point in time is that we are looking at the PAT exams, and we will make sure that at the end of the day we will have a solution that is both constructive to administering education in this province and to addressing some of the issues that have been raised with the tests. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Doerksen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: can the minister assure parents that he will address the legitimate concerns regarding undue stress, particularly on young students, that has been raised with regard to the PATs? Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr.

Speaker, I can assure parents of two things. I can assure them that, yes, indeed, we will be looking at some of the concerns that have been raised and looking at how we can alleviate some of the issues relevant to their concerns, but I can also assure parents that we will make sure we continue to develop and monitor our curriculum so that we continue to have one of the best curriculums in the world to such extent that we’re actually exporting Alberta curriculum to many countries throughout the world. Mr. Doerksen: Again, Mr.

Speaker, to the same minister: as these tests are to be gauging student achievement, how will the minister ensure that these tests are in fact used to address and gauge student achievement rather than as comparators between teachers, schools, and school divisions? Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr. Speaker, these tests are really, actually, designed to test the curriculum and to see how the curriculum plays itself out in the classrooms. Then this is how we adjust and/or develop new curriculum. The fact is that, yes, there are third parties that utilize that test for purposes for which the test was not intended.

It’s a form of misuse of information and, frankly, arriving at very questionable conclusions. The fact is that we will look also at the possibility of making sure that these tests, which are very valid – they are there for a very good reason – are not misused by third parties. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Mackay. Environmental Monitoring of Oil Sands Ms Blakeman: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker.

Albertans want an oil sands industry they can be proud of, and industry wants to be innovative and respe cted internationally for its environmental record, but this government’s continual foot -dragging is making both things impossible. We’ve had no new standards for oil sands water monitoring, no new CCS, no health impact studies. All promised; not delivered. To the Minister of Environment and Water. Industry will step up to the challenge if it’s provided, so why does this government insist on dragging its feet on imple menting environmental standards? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Well, I wouldn’t say that we’re dragging our feet at all. I would say that what we’re doing is working with the federal government to come up with a world-class monitoring system here in Alberta that Albertans can rely on. We looked at the portal that we announced a week or so ago. The transparency of the information is there. I would say that in the last month that I’ve spent here as minister, we’re not dragging our feet. Ms Blakeman: Well, Mr. Speaker, back to the same minister.

Given that this government’s inaction has led the federal govern- ment to step into our oil sands to a degree never seen before, what tangible evidence can the minister offer us that would show that they’re encouraging environmental innovation in the oil sands on a scale that can’t be denied internationally? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I would say that we share the jurisdiction with regard to the environment with the federal government.

Rather than having two separate monitoring systems for air, land, water, and biodiversity, we’re doing what makes sense, and we’re having one first -class system in Alberta. Albertans will see the transparency with that, and that is what we’re doing with the federal government because we share that jurisdiction. Ms Blakeman: I can’t wait for transparency from a provincial and a federal government. Good Lord.

Back to the same minister: given that climate change is real and a threat to our biggest industry, what will the minister do to ensure Alberta is leading the way in environmental innovation rather than toddling along 10 steps behind? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. McQueen: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I’d like to say that I’m very proud that Alberta is leading the way and has been leading the way. We’re the first one with regard to putting a price on carbon.

We’re the first one with regard to putting in a huge commitment with regard to carbon capture and storage, a $2 billion investment that around the world is seen as a huge invest - ment, taking real steps, real concrete steps to real projects on the ground. These are just a couple of the things that we’re doing that are taking real leadership in Alberta, and quite frankly I’m proud of that. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -Mackay, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Noninstructional Postsecondary Tuition Fees Ms Woo-Paw: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

For some time now postsecondary students have been expressing their concerns about colleges, universities, and technical institutes basically sidestep - ping this province’s tuition cap and charging high fees that are deemed noninstructional. Institutions are using fees for things such as athletics and recreation technology and registration fees as a way to get around tuition caps. My questions are to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. What are you doing to make sure that this practice stops and that students are not literally paying the price? The Speaker: The hon. minister.

1198 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 Mr. Weadick: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the students are extremely concerned about the cost of noninstructional fees, and so am I. It is an issue that we promised the students we would deal with when we met earlier this year. Since meeting with them, I have sent a letter to all of our posts econdary institutions asking them to develop policy on how they will include the students in the discourse around any future fees that will be charged to those students. Ms Woo-Paw: To the same minister: when will students see outcomes? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr.

Weadick: Thank you. We’ve asked all of the institutions to be back to us with their policies on student engagement within the next 90 days. Ms Woo-Paw: To the same minister: given that the public postsec- ondary institutions’ tuition fee regulations set a model for predictable increases to tuition fees, why not just regulate these noninstructional fees the same way you do tuitions? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Weadick: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That suggestion has come up from the students, but, you know, we have 26 publicly funded postsecondaries across Alberta, and they’re all very different and unique institutions. Some are extremely large; some are smaller and rural. We determined that it would be better if each institution had a chance to look at how they could engage their student body, their students in the process and come up with a way that would work in their institution. We don’t believe that one solution would work in every institution across the province. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona, followed by the hon.

Member for Calgary-Buffalo. Fixed Election Dates (continued) Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nations, provinces, and municipalities across Canada and around the world have had no difficulty operating with fixed election dates, but in Alberta somehow we’re being told it’s just not manageable and that the best we can do is narrow it to a three-month season. Now, seasons might be fine for duck hunting or theatre, but democracy deserves better.

My question to the Attorney General is: what possible defence can he offer for the Premier abandoning her promise to deliver on the long-awaited fixed election date for Alberta? Mr. Olson: Mr. Speaker, we’re very comfortable on this side with this because it’s flexible. In the springtime, for example, there are changes of season. There are many things that come up. There’s Easter. There are dates where if you had an arbitrarily fixed election date, it would make it very inconvenient to have an election. It’s a reasonable thing to do.

Albertans are not going to be fooled in any way or prejudiced in any way, nor is the opposition, by having a flexible period of time within which to have an election. Ms Notley: Well, Mr. Speaker, given that other provinces have the same range of unpredictable issues that Alberta has – I’m pretty sure Manitoba has had a flood or two – and given that Alberta municipalities have managed for years to hold elections quite successfully on fixed dates, why is the Attorney General supporting the Premier’s decision to secure political advantage at the expense of keeping her promise to Albertans? 2:20 Mr. Olson: Mr.

Speaker, any political advantage, if there were any, would be minuscule in this example. Three months is a very small window of time within which to call an election. The opposition will know years ahead of time when the election is coming, and they can do everything they need to do to prepare. Albertans, again, are not going to be prejudiced in any way, but it will be flexible enough that people will also not be inconvenienced. Ms Notley: Well, Mr.

Speaker, given that the long string of broken promises is becoming a growing embarrassment to the new Premier and that her failure to stick with a fixed election promise would be so easy to correct, will the Attorney General commit today to flip back from the Premier’s flop on this issue and consult with opposition parties and give us a fixed election date and not a fixed election season? Mr. Olson: Well, this brings me back nicely to my original comment with the previous question, that we’re going to have a chance to debate all of this once we actually introduce the legislation. Electricity Regulation Mr.

Hehr: Over 10 years ago this government decided to deregulate electricity. The prom ise of better service and lower costs to consumers never happen ed. This change has led to significantly higher energy pri ces and unstable, unpredictable markets. My question is for the Minister of Energy. How is it that every time you promise lower prices, our electricity bills continue to grow? Dr. Morton: Mr. Speaker, as usual the hon. member is about half right and half wrong.

It is true that prices for electricity have increased since January – I’m happ y to explain the reasons why – but if you compare Alberta to other non hydro dependent electrical systems, we are in the middle of the pack and very competitive. Mr. Hehr: Well, given that five electricity producers control 70 per cent of the market and that the Market Surveillance Adminis- trator identified over 46 violations of market manipulation in the past year, why aren’t you defending Alberta consumers? Dr. Morton: Mr.

Speaker, I’m happy to report that just recently the Market Surveillance Administrator did identify an irregularity in one generator’s practice, i nvestigated, found there was an irregularity, and has negotiated with the company and imposed both a fine and a payback to the pool to make up for that transgression. So the system is working. Mr. Hehr: Do you really think that a $125,000 fine for causing 5 and a half million dollars in damage is an appropriate fine? Is that what I’m hearing from the minister? Dr. Morton: Mr.

Speaker, the hon. member has a wonderful imagination in coming up with imaginative figures in terms of total damage, but I can assure you that if there is a problem with the fine and the compensation, the decision made by the Market Surveillance Administrator goes to the Alberta Utilities Commis- sion, which has the final word on the appropriateness of the penalty.

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1199 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Leduc-Beaumont-Devon, followed by the hon. Member for Airdrie-Chestermere. High-speed Internet Service for Rural Alberta Mr. Rogers: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very frustrated that there are still parts of our province that are left with poor access to high- speed Internet service and in some cases none at all. I represent an area comprising parts of Camrose and Leduc counties where access to the Internet is very poor. To the Minister of Service Alberta. Mr.

Minister, it seems that no action has taken place recently on this file for quite some time. Are you finally going to do something to bring parts of rural Alberta into the 21st century and ensure that unconnected . . . The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. At present 3.3 million, or 94 per cent of Albertans, have access to high- speed Internet through private service initiatives and strategic government infrastructure.

Now, we are committed to taking this up to 98 per cent, and to find that remaining 4 per cent, we are pinpointing reasons as to why some people are not receiving service today. We will bring forth solutions that are cost -effective and that can be executed in a very timely fashion. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Rogers: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again to the same minister: given that our government is now forecasting a significant deficit and with continued efforts to balance the budget, can the minister assure this House that this important initiative will not disappear from the government’s radar screen?

The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can assure the members of the House and all Albertans that this is a priority of this Premier and our government. We are committed to a th riving rural Alberta community. We will deliver on this promise. We will make sure our rural communities are thriving and have access to high -speed Internet to capitalize on every technology that the rest of Albertans have at their disposal. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Rogers: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again to the same minister: will this minister leverage the SuperNet in his efforts to close the service gap, considering that all Albertans have invested millions of dollars in building this vital piece of communications infrastructure? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Bhullar: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Alberta is a leader by creating the SuperNet; 429 communities throughout this province have fibre optics in the ground. We’re a leader across not just Canada but internationally. We will capitalize on that tech - nology.

We will make sure that that infrastructure that we’ve put in place is best utilized and that we come forth with the most productive, cost-effective solutions moving forward. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Airdrie-Chestermere, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Calder. Provincial Tax Alternatives Mr. Anderson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many Albertans fought for many years to get the federal tax -and-spend Liberals out of Ottawa, but it seems that they have resurfaced here in Alberta under our new tax-and-spend Premier.

Today the Finance minister and Treasury Board president all but promised that their Christmas gift to Alberta families next year will be a $1,000 per year tax increase dressed up as the old health care premiums. To our Finance minister. This is a very, very simple question. Are you considering bringing back the old health care premiums at the next budget? Yes or no? Mr. Liepert: It’s a pretty simple answer, Mr. Speaker. It’s no.

I think this particular member, who was also at the media briefing, if he’d have washed his ears this morning, might have he ard the same thing as the Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Mr. Anderson: Well, I am happy to hear that, Mr. Speaker.

Given that at today’s press conference the Finance minister all but announced that health care premiums were coming back to pay for this government’s all- you-can-eat spending buffet, are you, Minister, willing to say that under no conditions – under no conditions – will you as minister, will this government be raising taxes, fees, premiums, or any other money grab on the backs of hard-working Alberta families? Admit to that now, and I’ll believe you. Mr. Liepert: Mr.

Speaker, the first question this member raised was whether we’d be bringing back the health care premiums, that were cancelled a few years ago, and my answer to that was no . What we do have to look at – and, quite frankly, it’s what Albertans are saying – is that we need to ensure that as we move forward, there’s a recognition by Albertans of the cost of health care. As we move forward, we’re going to look at how that can be accomplished, and at this stage there’s nothing that I have to announce. Mr. Anderson: Well, that was as clear as mud.

Given that this Finance minister has mused this last week about introducing a provincial sales tax, bringing back a $1,000 per year tax hike on everyone, or health premiums as he calls it, and given that his government now has a $6 billion cash shortfall, will this minister confirm that he and this new Premier’s balanced budget strategy entails taxing Albertans more and praying that the p rice of oil hits $120 a barrel? Is that the plan? Mr. Liepert: Well, let’s be clear, Mr. Speaker.

The member, as is typical, throws a lot of numbers around there, and frankly I don’t know sometimes where he . . . [interjections] The Speaker: The Minister of Finance has the floor. Mr. Liepert: Mr. Speaker, I’ll continue on. These numbers that are being tossed around have no validity. What we did announce this morning is that at this point in time, second-quarter results, we are very close to what we said in this House in February, that our projected deficit this year would be about $3.1 billion now, all of it covered by the sustainability fund.

We do not have a debt in this province, and that’s because of the good management of this government. An Hon. Member: Point of order. The S peaker: Point of order? Okay.

1200 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 The hon. Member for Edmonton -Calder, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Mountain View. Property Tax Deferral Mr. Elniski: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the largest constituent groups in Edmonton-Calder is seniors, and I do believe that we need to do everything possible to keep them in their homes. It reflects directly on their quality of life, on their dignity, and on their overall health. One simple solution would be to address a propert y tax deferral program. My question is to the Minister of Seniors.

Minister, will you consider such a property tax program for Alberta seniors? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. VanderBurg: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the question is a valid question and probably a really brilliant idea as well. I can tell you that I’ve had the opportunity to read about B.C. and what they’ve done for property tax deferral. It has kept seniors in their homes. I want to tell you that I’m committing that next spring as p art of the government agenda I’m going to bring this thing forward. The Speaker: The hon. member? Mr. Elniski: No supplemental. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Calgary -Mountain View , followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie. 2:30 Alleged Intimidation of Physicians Dr. Swann: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In the joint submission to the Health Quality Council of Alberta made by the Alberta Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association, widespread physician int imidation is described as well as an environment of “chronic instability” in Alberta’s health care system. Since last March the AMA, the Alberta Medical Association, has had no master agreement with this province. To the minister of health.

During negotiations the ministry threatened to terminate programs such as the physician and family support program and cast doubt on the future of other programs and staffing of physician offices. Are these the tactics of a government intent on eliminating intimidation of physicians? Mr. Horne: Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows full and well, discussions between the government, Alberta Health Services, and the Alberta Medical Association on a new agreement have been ongoing for some time. The discussions, I can report, are positive. They’re constructive.

The new president of the Alberta Medical Association, Dr. Linda Slocombe, and I have spoken several times. We are continuing to work toward a new agreement with Alberta’s doctors. I see nothing but positive and constructive dialogue in the months to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dr. Swann: Well, I’m glad the minister is so optimistic, Mr. Speaker. Given that such deplorable tactics persist, what confidence can Albertans have that current negotiations will result in an agreement fostering meaningful physician engagement in our health care system? Mr. Horne: Mr.

Speaker, the very act of the negotiations and the issues that are discussed are evidence of this government’s commitment to a constructive, positive relationship with physicians. My barometer is the feedback I receive from Dr. Linda Slocombe, the AMA president, on behalf of her members. As I will continue to report to this House, we’re on a very positive path toward addressing a number of the issues raised by the hon. member. Dr. Swann: A lot of ground to catch up, Mr. Speaker, on the loss of confidence in this province among physicians.

When will the province do what most provinces have done and implement continuance provisions that allow the building of trust and for the AMA to transition from one agreement to the next? Continuance provisions. Mr. Horne: Well, Mr. Speaker, obviously, it would be inappro- priate for me to stand here and discuss specifics of discussions that may be under way between government, Alberta Health Services, and the Alberta Medical Association. What I will say is that this government is committed to continuing to provide an environment of stability and predictability for physicians that practise in this province.

The same is true for all other health professionals. The discussions that are under way now reflect that spirit on both sides, and I have every reason to believe that will continue. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-McCall. Bullying Prevention Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Last week was National Bullying Awareness Week. We’re hearing too often the tragic stories of youth that have been victimized and targeted by this senseless act. My question is to the Minister of Education.

How is this go vernment raising awareness of this very important issue? Mr. Lukaszuk: Well, Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that we have to raise awareness, but the fact is that bullying does exist. There are a variety of forms of bullying. There is cyberbullying. There i s homophobic bullying. There’s a variety of it, and there’s no place for that in Alberta, never mind in schools and schoolyards but even outside of schoolyards. As the Alberta government we will be raising awareness on how to identify bullying and how to eradicate bullying from our schools. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr.

Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Leadership is required, for appropriate behaviour must be modelled if this government is truly to change the culture around bullying. What concrete steps is the Minister of Education taking to change peoples’ behaviour? Mr. Lukaszuk: Mr. Speaker, behaviour must be modelled, and we all have to work as a community to eradicate this culture of bullying. Number one, we are providing our schools and our teachers and administrators with tools on how to recognize bullying.

You wi ll see that the currently tabled Bill 18 is being consulted on further with Albertans, and we are looking at legislative enhancement to allow teachers to deal with bullying in schools. But in the end all of us in this Chamber and everybody throughout Alberta can be a positive contributor to eradicating bullying simply by leading by example. As government we will be enhancing awareness through a variety of media that accesses not only children but teachers, parents, coaches, grandparents, and everybody in our community.

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1201 The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I understand it, bullying prevention is a crossministry initiative involving Education and Human Services. My question is for the Minister of Human Services. What is the government doing for ongoing bullying prevention and supports for all Albertans? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Hancock: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, there has been an ongoing crossministry initiative and a crossministry committee on this, led now by Human Services.

We do have 15 passionate, inspiring young people on a youth advisory committee who advise us with respect to this area. They helped to create a website for youth. It’s b-free.ca, which has advice and tips for youth who are experiencing bullying or are concerned about a friend. Along with the B-Free website we have a toll-free 24-hour bullying helpline, 1.888.456.2323, and two other websites for adults and children. So there are a number of things happening, but much more has to be done in this age of technology. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary -McCall, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Hays.

GreenTRIP Incentives Program Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. GreenTRIP was announced more than three years ago, and only this year did the government finally begin to honour its commitment to the municipalities. The $2 billion was committed in 2008 with no plan for transit improvements to use the full amount within 10 years. To the Minister of Transportation: is the government still planning to support transit to the tune of $2 billion, or will it be on the chopping block like the Premier is considering doing to some of the CCS fund? Mr. Danyluk: Mr.

Speaker, as the hon. member knows, we’re in the budget process right now, but what has been committed to GreenTRIP, to the municipalities will be honoured. Mr. Kang: Mr. Speaker, to the minister again: given that of the $2 billion promised only $575 million has been allocated, will the minister explain why Calgary has been left out in the cold? Does this government plan to end the program before Calgary projects are approved? Mr. Danyluk: Well, in fact, Calgary hasn’t been left out in the cold.

I want to inform the hon. member that Calgary is working on an application that we have been discussing with them, and that is in the process. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the minister again: given that the city of Edmonton was able to shuffle MSI money away from the NAIT LRT project to be replaced by the funding from GreenTRIP, will the ministry approve similar applications being considered by the city of Calgary? Mr. Danyluk: I’m not exactly sure, Mr. Speaker, what the hon. member is talking about, shuffling MSI funding and moving projects over from one to the other.

I think it’s very clear that the applications that are in place for the GreenTRIP program, also for the MSI program go through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. Do we work with the municipalities on their projects on a regular basis in consultation? Of course we do because we want to make sure that the funding that is provided for municipalities is used in the best way, and they want the same goal as well. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Hays. Electricity Import Manipulation Mr. Johnston: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Albertans were shocked to learn earlier this month that TransAlta had acted in a way that artificially increased electricity prices. Too many people feel the system is just not working. To the Minister of Energy: what happened in this case, and what impact did this have on my constituents? Dr. Morton: Mr. Speaker, for 31 hours in Nov ember of last year TransAlta took certain steps that had the effect of impeding electricity imports from British Columbia. The result of that was that power pool prices in Alberta were higher than they otherwise would have been.

However, I want to stress t hat only industrial consumers who purchased energy from the power pool in real time were impacted. Residential consumers who buy on a regulated price: their price is set one month in advance so was not affected by the temporary boost in prices. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Johnston: Thank you. To the same minister: what is being done about this infraction of the rules? Dr. Morton: Mr. Speaker, the Market Surveillance Administrator is in effect the policeman that regulates and monitors this industry. They noticed the irregularities last November.

They asked TransAlta to stop and undertook an investigation. As a result of that, they found that there was a violation of the rules, and based on negotiations TransAlta has agreed to pay a penalty of $370,000; $245,000 of that is for, in effect, excess profit. The other $125,000 of that is an administrative penalty. The Speaker: The hon. member. 2:40 Mr. Johnston: Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister of Energy: given that some have estimated the cost to consumers to be more than $5 million, shouldn’t the fine be higher, and can’t this money be returned to those who paid the inflated prices? Dr.

Morton: Mr. Speaker, with respect to the second question, the legislation requires that all fines go into the general revenues, so that’s a matter of legislation and is dealt with that way. With respect to the so -called $5 million estimate, as I indicated to my Liberal friend earlier, that’s based on a guess, really a guesstimate, that assumes that for the 31 hours in question all consumers were paying the real -time pool price. In fact, that’s not the case. As I indicated earlier, residential consumers pay a month in advance and were not affected by that. Even industrial consumers often hedge their purchases.

So in that respect, the $5 million figure is not accurate. The Speaker: Hon. members, that concludes the question-and - answer period for today. Twenty members were recognized. There were 116 questions and responses. We have a very, very busy Routine to deal with in the next 18 minutes, so we’re going to go immediately to Members’ Statements, and I’m going to call on the Member for Strathmore-Brooks.

1202 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 head: Members’ Statements (continued) Family Violence Prevention Month Mr. Doerksen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise today to recognize November as Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta. This month is a serious re minder to all of us that we can help to prevent and address family violence in our communities. This issue has devastating effects for individuals and families across the province. We know that family violence also has profound and lifelong consequences for children regardless of whether they are abused directly or a witness to it.

According to a 2008 study neglect and exposure to intimate partner violence are the most common forms of substantiated maltreatment causing children to come into care, with each issue accounting for about 34 per cent of all substantiated cases in Canada. We need to continue our efforts to protect children and support all Albertans who are struggling with the trauma of family violence and help them as they work to rebuild their lives. The government of Alberta is wo rking closely with families and communities to provide support for those affected by family violence.

More than $65 million is invested each year across government, including support for women’s shelters, victims’ support programs, safe visitati on sites, public awareness and education efforts, and many other programs and services. This spring in the Legislatur e we passed amendments to the Protection Against Family Viol ence Act with the unanimous support of all parties. These changes improved protection for those affected by family violence and came into force on November 1 of this year.

Thes e amendments hold accountable those who violate protection orders and make Alberta’s penalties for such violations amongst the strongest in Canada. Mr. Speaker, if an Albertan knows someone who is experi- encing abuse in their family, I encourage them to call the family violence info line at 310-1818 for information and to connect with support or to visit familyviolence.a lberta.ca. We all need to keep working to prevent family violence so Albertans can live safely in their homes and communities. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for St. Albert. St. Albert Sesquicentennial Mr. Allred: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of St. Albert by Albert Lacombe in 1861. As such, St. Albert is th e oldest nonfortified community west of Winnipeg. St. Albert ’s 150th anniversary committee organized a marvellous series of programs throughout the year to celebrate this major event in the hi story of not just St. Albert but the province of Alberta. The year kicked off with a parish event to mark the actual founding of St. Albert in 1861 by Father Lacombe and Bishop Taché, which also marked the establishment of the Catholic church and the Grey Nuns in St. Albert.

The kickoff for the 150th anniversary committee was the performance of The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon in the newly renovated curling rink, and thank you to the province of Alberta for a major contribution to the funding of this facility. A major Canadian Western Bank rendezvous gala was held in the Enjoy Centre, the Hole family’s new commercial and botanical complex. This and other galas were well attended, including guests such as our Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Donald Ethell, and Her Honour Li nda Ethell as well as Premier Stelmach and Mrs. Stelmach. Over the spring and summer St.

Albert hosted a number of unique events for all ages, including a soap box derby, a performance and tour called Meet the Street, which featured various street names and the pioneers they were named after. Traditional events such as the St. Albert Rodeo parade, the International Children’s Festival, Canada Day, the farmers’ market, and rockin’ August as well as the 55-plus Winter Games were supplemented with the 150th anniversary activities. The crème de la crème was the August 28 picnic, which attracted over 10,000 residents, former residents, and visitors.

This event featured 10 separate venues along the Sturgeon River from Big Lake to Riverlot 56, including Grain Elevator park and the botanical gardens. These venues featured on-site artists and artistic demonstrations, aboriginal dancers, athletic and cultural events, and, of course, a large variety of different ethnic and traditional foods. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. Team Alberta WorldSkills Achievements Mr. Ouellette: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to recognize the members of Team Alberta’s Fierce Four, three of whom are with us today in the members’ and public galleries.

These young Albertans were part of the Team Canada contingent at the recent WorldSkills competition in London, England. As you are aware, Calgary played host to the WorldSkills in 2009, and we were all witness to the incredible technical expertise and problem- solving skills of these competitors in areas like refrigeration, web design, autobody repair, and hairstyling. Mr.

Speaker, skills competitions at all levels, from the provin- cial to the national and all the way to the international, are events that shine a spotlight on the impor tance and value of apprentice- ship and skilled labour in our province and around the world. Tradespersons and skilled workers are the foundation of Alberta’s economy, and these members of Team Alberta are tremendous role models for the rewards of a career in the trades.

The excellence that the Fierce Four put on display for the world to see did not come without a great deal of support from the team at Skills Canada Alberta and especially from their employers. Mr. Speaker, a tip of the hat should be extended to Marc Seabrook of Onsite Machining Solutions in Innisfail, Murray Brennan of Brennan Auto Body Re pair in Stettler, John Goucher of Allied Projects in Calgary, and Chad Theriault of Millenium Mechanical Services in Leduc. These employers played a huge role in supporting these competitors and deserve their own recognition for helping these Albertans realize their goals.

It’s easy to see why Alberta is making such an impact on the world stage when you combine the incredible support for these competitors and the individual drive and determination of the Fierce Four. I encourage all Albertans to learn more about skills competitions in their communities and to see first-hand the dedication of so many of their fellow Albertans. I would like to congratulate Team Alberta, their employers, and the team at Skills Canada Alberta for all their hard work at the recent W orldSkills competition. Global Entrepreneurship Week Ms Woo-Paw: Mr.

Speaker, I rise to speak on two extraordinary Calgary events last week as part of this year’s celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. The Canadian Youth Business Foundation organized the YOU I nnovate Canada tournament,

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1203 which challenged Canadians 16 years and older to think like entrepreneurs by creating new value out of an ordinary coffee cup. Forty videos were submitted from across Alberta, including participation from six postsecondary institutions. The community award went to a team called Something Awe- some, which was comprised of Kendra Wannamaker, Nicolette Bell, Kyler Marshall, and Connor Dyck. This team also received over 11,000 online votes. The postsecondary award went to a team called Boja, which was comprised of Breana Baker, Olivia Bohdan, Josh Holloway, and Adam Holloway.

I’m pleased to note that the government of Alberta is a proud partner to this great initiative with a $1 million contribution. Mr. Speaker, I was truly impressed and inspired by the level of social consciousness exhibited by these young people’s project concepts and ideas. Another leading-edge initiative is the Trico Charitable Founda - tion, dedicated to the development of social enterprise, which essentially encompasses a business operation commonly run by charities or nonprofits. Revenue raised by the business operation is reinvested into the charity to support their programs and operations.

The foundation organized Enterprising Spirit: Creating Value and Social Good conference, that attracted over 150 delegates from all over Canada. This unique conference was highlighted by the inaugural Social EnterPrize awards, annual grants to grow and sustain social enterprises, provoke innovation, and build capacity in the nonprofit sector. Awards went to Ms Caroline Arcand, executive director of Groupe Convex; the Social EnterPrize award for mature organizations was given to Potluck Café and Catering of Vancouver; and the grant for emerging organizations was given to Mission Possible of Vancouver.

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Woods. 2:50 Kyle Fundytus Mr. Benito: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is with great sadness that I rise today and comment on the terrible tragedy that killed a local minor hockey player last week. Kyle Fundytus was an aspiring young hockey player for the midget double -A South Side Athletic Club who was hit in the neck by a puck while going down to block a shot during a game. He was just 16 years old. Neck guards are mandatory in minor hockey, and Kyle was wearing one, but unfortunately that wasn’t able to save him.

Tragic accidents like this one affect many different people on many levels not only at Holy Trinity high school, located in my constituency of Edmonton-Mill Woods , but also in the entire city of Edmonton and in our province who know how to appreciate the sport of hockey. Those who knew Kyle say that he was a dedicated teammate, a hard worker, and that he had an infectious passion for the game of hockey. Our most sincere condolences go out to Kyle’s family, friends, and teammates during such a difficult time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. head: Presenting Reports by Standing and Special Committees The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Cypress-Medicine Hat. Mr. Mitzel: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As chair of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices I’m pleased to table five copies of the committee’s report on the review of the Lobbyists Act dated November 2011. Copies of this report will be distributed to all the members today. head: Introduction of Bills The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Health and Wellness. Bill 24 Health Quality Council of Alberta Act Mr. Horne: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise and move first reading of Bill 24, the Health Quality Council of Alberta Act.

The proposed bill will give the Health Quality Council of Alberta expanded powers to investigate health system matters and have it report directly to the Legislative Assembly. [Motion carried; Bill 24 read a first time] The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Human Services. Bill 25 Child and Youth Advocate Act Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great privilege to m ove for first reading Bill 25, the Child and Youth Advocate Act. The act would make the Child and Youth Advocate an officer of the Legislature and set up appropriate mandates for him.

It would also provide for the establishment of a council for quality assur - ance, clarify provisions around the so-called publication ban, and provide for greater sharing of information about children in care or children in need with caregivers and others who are associated with those children. I would move first reading. [Motion carried; Bill 25 read a first time] The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Bill 21 Election Amendment Act, 2011 Mr. Olson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to request leave to introduce for first reading Bill 21, the Election Amendment Act, 2011, which will amend the Election Act to provide for a fixed election time period and, thus, allow all of us to prepare for elections with greater certainty. I move first reading of Bill 21. [Motion carried; Bill 21 read a first time] The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Mackay. Bill 22 Justice and Court Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 Ms Woo-Paw: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to request leave to introduce for first reading Bill 22, the Justice and Court Statutes Amendment Act, 2011.

This bill contains amendments and housekeeping changes to a number of justice statutes. The changes in Bill 22 will increase clarity, fix a few errors, improve the functioning of Alberta’s courts, and increase the effectiveness of our legislation. I move first reading of Bill 22. Thank you. [Motion carried; Bill 22 read a first time]

1204 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 The Speaker: The hon. Government House Leader. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d move that Bill 22 be moved onto the Order Paper under Government Bills and Order. [Motion carried] The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Infrastructure. Bill 23 Land Assembly Project Area Amendment Act, 2011 Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request leave to introduce a bill being the Land Assembly Project Area Amendment Act, 2011. This amendment is to empower landowners and to clear up any confusion that exists with the existing lap of legislation.

It gives landowners as many options as possible when we’re working with them and they’re impacted by a potential major infrastructure project. It will also ensure full consultation, fair compensation, and full access to the courts. Thank you. [Motion carried; Bill 23 read a first time] The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Transportation. Bill 26 Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2011 Mr. Danyluk: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to request leave to introduce Bill 26, the Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2011. I’m very pleased to bring forward this very important piece of legislation.

Impaired driving is something that affects all Albertans and continues to be a major safety concern for everyone on the road. This is a serious matter. Many alcohol -related collisions a re preventable. This legislation focuses on improving safety on our roads by encouraging greater personal responsibility and behaviours that help save lives. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried; Bill 26 read a first time] head: Tabling Returns and Reports The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Human Services. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It gives me great pleasure to table the appropriate number of copies of the Child and Youth Advocate’s 2010-11 annual report. This is the first repor t provided by this particular youth advocate, who was appointed on June 1, and if the Child and Youth Advocate Act that I’ve just tabled is passed, this will be the last one tabled by a minister because the Speaker will be tabling future Child and Youth Advocate reports in the House. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Sherwood Park. Ms Evans: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As deputy chair of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities it is my pleasure to table the appropriate number of copies o f the annual report dated 2010-2011. The council works to improve the lives of Albertans, particularly those that have disabilities. They work on behalf of all Albertans to provide the Premier and the minister for seniors and community supports with advice for this Legislature. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Bow. Ms DeLong: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to table the appropriate number of copies of the 2010- 2011 annual report of the Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta. The council is a vital communications link that works with Albertans and seniors’ organizations to share information about the issues that are important to seniors with government. Thank you very much. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I have three tablings from constituents. The first is from Hadi Schiestl, who is a resident of Lions Village Railtown.

She and a number of other residents there are asking the government to please bring forward legislation on life-lease situations. The second tabling that I have is from constituent Kent McKay. He is very supportive of the Royal Alberta Museum, the impor - tance of it for Edmonton. He believes that it will help to revitalize our downtown core and that it represents our centennial legacy and an embodiment of our culture and that we should stop arguing and get on with it.

The final tabling is an e -mail from Ian O’Donnell, who is the chair of the development committee for the Downtown Edmonton Community League, so the local community league. He is writing to me for provincial support for the downtown arena, recognizing the province’s role in making urban centres attractive to business investment and potential residents, and notes that we need to attract and retain talent. He views amenities and attractions as an important consideration. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: Hon. members, Standing Order 7(7) says, “At 3 p.m. the items in the ordinary daily routine will be deemed to be concluded and the Speaker shall notify the Assembly.” Well, hon. members, that’s what the standing orders say. I’ve notified the Assembly. 3:00 head: Orders of the Day The Speaker: I’ve called Orders of the Day, which means that other things can come in, but there are some things that we have to conclude. We have a privilege motion that hangs over from before, and I will call on the hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona to deal with that.

We have a point of order that we have to deal with as well. We also have to deal with the provisions of Standing Order 58(1), which states that at the commencement of every Legislature the Assembly shall elect (

b) a Deputy Chair of Committees, according to the procedure set out in

Schedule A with respect to the Speaker, with all necessary modifications. And it should be done immediately, so that matter has to be dealt with, too. Now that we’ve crossed the line, Government House Leader, did you want to attract my attention? Mr. Hancock: Yes, Mr. Speaker. At the appropriate time, after you’ve dealt with the points of order and privilege, it would be my intention to ask for the attention of the House for two unanimous consent motions, the first to deal with the election of the Deputy Chair of Committees to be dealt with at 6 o’clock this evening and the second to allow a reversion to government business briefly for

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1205 the purpose of allowing the tabling of supplementary estimates and the two associated government motions. That’s what was done last fall, and it gives the opposition time. So at the appropriate time I’d request that you call on those two pieces. The Speaker: Well, seeing that we’re now into Orders of the Day and seeing that we’re up against Standing Order 58(1) and as I’ve already indicated my intention to deal with the privilege motion and the point of order motion, I do believe, in terms of trying to set a

schedule for this afternoon, that I would ask that the Government House Leader propose the suggestion that there be unanimous consent to do the election of the Deputy Chair of Committees at 6 o’clock tonight and see what happens. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then I would request unanimous consent of the House to refer to

section 58(1) and establish the earliest possible time at 6 o’clock p.m., rather than adjourning at the normal adjournment hour, to deal with the election of the Deputy Chair of Committees at that time. The Speaker: This requires the unanimous consent of the Assembly to deal with this matter beyond the ordinary termination time of 6 o’clock. I will ask the two questions. [Unanimous consent denied] The Speaker: Then we will deal with the election of the Deputy Chair of Committees immediately after we deal with the privilege motion and the point of order. Edmonton-Strathcona.

Privilege Misleading the House Ms Notley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m rising in accordance with Standing Order 15(2) to raise a point of privilege, that on November 30, 2010, the Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek interfered with the ability of members of this House to fulfill their duties when as Minister of Health and Wellness he made statements about a government document regarding the source of materials contained in that document titled Alberta’s Health Legislation: Moving Forward, dated July 12, 2010.

It’s our view that in mischaracterizing the source of this information, he deliberately misl ed the House and, in so doing, interfered with the ability of several members to fulfill their duty as Members of the Legislative Assembly. I’d like to start first with prelim inary matters. Points of privilege must be raised at the earliest opportunity. I believe this was done. The Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood sent a notice concerning this point of privilege to your office, Mr. Speaker, on October 24, the first day of the fall sitting.

Although the statements by the Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek to which this point relates were made in the House in November and December 2010, a document which raises the question of the veracity of those statements only came into ou r possession just prior to the commencement of the fall sitting in October of 2011. That document was tabled in the House at the first possible opportunity on October 24, 2011. As such, it is our view that the point of privilege was raised in a timely manner and is in order.

I’d now like to address the substantive elements of the NDP opposition’s point of privilege against the Member for Edmonton- Mill Creek and former Minister of Health and Wellness. In terms of the form of contempt that we believe the member’s actions took, I can refer to several authorities on points of privilege relating to deliberately misleading the House.

House of Commons Procedure and Practice , 2nd edition, says on page 83 that “deliberately attempting to mislead the House” is considered a contempt of the House, and Erskine May, at page 132, states that “the Commons may treat the making of deliberately misleading statement as a contempt.” I would also like to note, Mr.

Speaker, that in one of your previous rulings on a point of privilege on November 7, 2007, at page 1860 in Hansard you said, “These purported questions of privilege allow memb ers to allege that someone is deliberately misleading the Assembly, which is something they could not say in the ordinary cour se of debate under our rules of debate.” I’d now like to review the facts upon which we make this point of privilege, and it relates primarily to statements made by the member. I believe the Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek deliberately misled the House in a statement he made on November 30, 2010.

The statement is found on page 1691 of Hansard, in which the Member for Calgary-Mountain View raised a question concerning the government document titled Alberta’s Health Legislation: Moving Forward, which he described as a plan “to bring in two-tiered American-s tyle health care.” The Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek, who was Minister of Health and Wellness at the time, responded by saying: It’s a simple statement of fact that it is not a document that I authored.

What it is is a document that reflects concerns, opinions, and comments from Albertans, and inasmuch as there are some things in there that we looked at and decided not to do – specifically, I went out and said that I’m not going to do this – we have to listen to what Albertans have to say. To give further context to the minister’s statements on November 30, one can also review additional statements made by the then Minister of Health and Wellness in response to further questioning from the opposition.

On December 1, 2010, the Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood asked a question about: “a document laying out the government’s . . . plan to privatize health care was leaked to opposition parties,” to which the Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek responded: There is no secret plan. There is no secret agenda. There is nothing on the table whatsoever to do with privatization. There is nothing there to do with a two-tier system. What we’ve made very clear and what I would ask this member to accept and understand is that there are Albertans out there who have opinions of a wide range.

Whether we like them or not, whether we agree with them or not, they deserve to be heard, and all that the document reflected is what was heard. Again, on December 2, 2010, the Member for Calgary- Mountain View asked about “the document which reveals the government’s . . . plan to intro duce two-tiered American-style health care,” and the Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek said: Mr. Speaker, I already sa id that this is a departmental document that reflected views, opinions, comments, and ideas by Albertans, so you might say that it came from a variety of sources right across the province.

And here is the important part, Mr. Speaker. All that the department did was co-ordinate all of that, put it into one document, and said: here’s what Albertans said. We looked at that document, and I said that there are things in here that we can do and things that we can’t do. So the Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek, who was minister of health at the time, contended that the document was simply a reflection of opinions of Albe rtans that the government had gathered and that the PowerPoint dated July 12 was merely a

summary of the opinions expressed by Albertans.

1206 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 Now, obviously, Mr. Speaker, when the Member for Edmonton- Mill Creek made these statements at the time, members on this side of the House were understandably suspicious. If these documents merely summarized public opinion, where was the reference to the opinions we knew full well had also been expressed during the consultations, opinions calling on government to increase public funding and to increase the scope of public provision of health care to add, for instance, pharmaceutical therapy, preventative therapies, and dental care? These were also opinions held by Albertans.

We knew they had been presented to the government during consultations, yet they did not appear in the so-called public opinion

summary. Notwithstanding these circumstantial concerns, there was no direct evidence that the minister’s statement that the document was merely a

summary of Albertans’ opinions was untrue. That was the state of affairs until the point at which our offices received a second document, entitled Minister’s Report, concern - ing the proposed Alberta health act and dated May 2010, two months before the document which was the source of the debate last fall and therefore a document that was prepared for the minister prior to the Alberta health legislation Moving Forward document, which is dated July 12, 2010. Mr.

Speaker, I tabled this document for the information of all members on October 24, 2011. 3:10 First, let me outline why we believe this document to be relevant to the discussion of the subsequent document that’s dated July 12, which was the subject of so much debate. A review of the first one, the May 2010 document, in comparison to the July document reveals that the former was clearly the source for the latter. Here are a few examples. Both documents propose that all health providers be allowed to work concurrently in both the public and the private health care systems.

Both documents propose that the government regulate private insurance for publicly funded health services rather than continue to prohibit it. Both talk about the need for a process to determine which health services will be fully funded, partially funded, or unfunded. The May and July documents bear additional similarities: both documents discuss the need for consistent approaches to desig - nation and regulation of health facilities, both talk about flexible funding for out- of-province and out -of-country health services, and both talk about the current ban on queue -jumping and extra billing.

The similarities between the two documents are such that it is reasonable to conclude that the May document is the source of the July document. Now, the problem is that the next question becomes: well, did the May document actually arise from the opinions of Albertans? Perhaps that’s what the then Minister of Health and Wellness meant when he said that the July PowerPoint was simply a

summary of opinions from Albertans. Well, I would suggest that that’s not the case. The appearance of the May document provides support for the fact that the July document was not merely a

summary of public opinion in two ways. First and most importantly, the May document itself states that the source of the policy options contained in it, including the controversial policies that were the subject of debate in November last fall, is the ministry of health.

The May 2010 document says on page 5 that “Alberta Health and Wellness has identified the elements listed below for consideration and direction.” The document goes on to list two elements, those that promote public confidence and those that “identify what services are funded and permit flexibility in how they are funded.” On page 10 of the document from May the ministry writes about lifting the prohibition on private insurance for publicly funded services in order to “provide more flexibility to Albertans and the government for the funding of health services.” This policy proposal also appeared in the July document and was one of the contentious issues discussed in debate last fall.

The key issue to the point being made today, however, is the quote that precedes this statement within the May document. “Alberta Health and Wellness is considering options to regulate private insurance for health services rather than having only a pro - hibition in the Act.” Alberta Health and Wellness is considering the options, not Albertan opinions. Clearly, again it shows wha t the source of this policy is. Further down on page 10 the document addresses the issue of physician opt-in/opt-out options.

Now, this is another contentious policy issue that is commonly associated with increasing the privatization of health care. Nonet heless, the ministry document suggests that midwives are allowed to opt in and out, and it’s not fair that they’re allowed this option and doctors are not. For the point at hand the relevant quote from the May document is this: “Alberta Health and Wellness would like to be able to apply the same conditions to all health providers.” So again the source of the policy is Alberta Health and Wellness.

Indeed, the document itself acknowledges that this policy shift is in clear contradiction to the prevailing public view on the subject. Now, the second reason the appearance of the May document demonstrates that the July document did not arise from summarizing Albertans’ public opinions relates to the date . . . The Speaker: Hon. member, please excuse me for a seco nd. Would you please take your seat? Standing Order 15(1) and (2) at several occasions talks about a brief statement. The hon. member has now had nearly 15 minutes.

I suppose it’s subjective to determine what brief is, but to the point would be very helpful to all members as this is a private members’ day, and brief usually would be several moments. If you would get to the point, that would really be helpful, I do believe, and if you could advise me as to how much more time you will require, that would help me fix in my mind the agenda for the remainder of the afternoon, which seems to be really, really plugged. Ms Notley: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would say that I’ve got about four minutes left.

I believe it’s important to review the document in question in order to make the case. The Speaker: You just wasted 20 seconds. I’ll give you four more minutes. Ms Notley: The government has embarked on two sets of consultations with Albertans on health care since the last election, one in October of 2009 and one in June of 2010. The consultation of October 2009 produced a report dated January 2010, and that report made no men tion of any of the policy provisions which were included in the July 2010 document. We don’t know exactly what the public consultations were, what they heard in June of 2010.

However, we do know that they occurred after the May document was written. Clearly, consultations that took place after the document was written cannot be the source of that document. Even Tories are subject to the regular rules of space and time. Given that every component of the July PowerPoint had already been carefully constructed in the May document, it is clear that the June consultations were not the source of the July PowerPoint. In

summary, we know that the document prepared for the minister in May 2010 contains a list of proposals for significant changes to the health care s ystem which would lead to more privately funded health care, and the document states that these

November 21, 2011 Alberta Hansard 1207 proposals were identified by Alberta Health and Wellness for inclusion in either the Alberta Health Act or regulations. We also know that many of these same proposals appeared in the July 2010 government document. When members of the opposition asked the then Minister of Health and Wellness about those proposals, the minister and Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek told the House repeatedly that the document was no more than a collection of opinions. Mr. Speaker, it’s my submission that it’s now a matter of applying the precedent in these cases to the facts I’ve just outlined.

In previous rulings on points of privilege, for example November 7, 2007, you referred to the test that needs to be met, and it’s outlined in House of Commons Procedure and Practice , page 86, footnote 128, where it states: The following elements have to be established when it is alleged that a Member is in contempt for deliberately misleading the House: one, it must be proven that the statement was misleading; two, it must be established that the Member making the statement knew [it] at the time . . . and three, that in making the statement, the Member intended to mislead the House. Mr.

Speaker, I believe I’ve demonstrated the first test, that the member’s statement that the July 2010 document was simply a collection of Albertans’ views on the health system was misleading. The May 2010 document, that we’ve since introduced, including proposals for privatization, says that those proposals were identified, in fact, by Alberta Health and Wellness. The second test is also met as the May 2010 document was prepared for the member in his capacity as minister of health at the time and is directed to him, a nd we can assume that he received it at that time and was aware of it.

Finally, the third test is also met because the May 2010 document establishes that he had been briefed on the proposals, but when he was asked by the opposition in November about the other document, he repeatedly told the House in unequivocal language that the proposals were nothing more than opinions from the general public. This was not merely a question of not knowing the answer, Mr. Speaker. Rather, it was a question of giving the A ssembly the wrong answer over and over.

I submit that the member not only misled the House but that he did so deliberately to avoid taking responsibility for controversial policies for increased privatization of our public health care system that were bein g very seriously considered within his ministry and by his caucus. By misleading the House, the Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek interfered with the ability of all members to do their duty. Health policy has been a top priority for Albertans, and proposals for privatization of aspects of the public health care system have been highly contentious.

Albertans are concerned about this issue and see the Assembly as a key forum through which to hold the government accountable. By failing to acknowledge the actions of the ministry for which he was responsible at the time, the member gave false information to this House and thereby prevented an honest and open debate. It’s a critical component of the obligations of members of this Assembly to hold the political heads of government depart - ments accountable for the actions of those departments. When members of the House are intentionally misled about the actions of those departments, we cannot do that job. Mr.

Speaker, it is a principle of parliamentary practice that outside of making a point of privilege, it is unparliamentary and, indeed, prohibited for one member to allege that another has in any way lied or otherwise misled the House. That principle is a sound one and is premised on the collective understanding we share of the fundamentally important role that this Assembly plays in our democratic system. It is because of this role that I would suggest that members are in a position of trust, not only in relation to their colleagues in this Legislature but in relation to all Albertans.

As such, incidents of misleading each other or Albertans must be treated seriously in order to maintain the reputation of this Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I would therefore ask that you find that a prima facie case against the Member for Ed monton-Mill Creek exists and have this matter referred to the appropriate standing committee. 3:20 The Speaker: Hon. members, that statement was 21 minutes in length. I heard exactly what has transpired. Now, I have one question for the hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Your text: you read from it. You must have a written text in front of you. Is this correct? Ms Notley: Yes.

The Speaker: Did you by way of courtesy provide this to the hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek, or is this the first he’s heard of this? Ms Notley: No. I provided the House leader with particulars. This was written by me this morning. The Speaker: That’s what I mean. Has the hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek received a copy of your submission prior to hearing it now in the House? Just yes or no. Ms Notley: Not what I just wrote. He received particulars. I believe that if the House leader for the government provided him with my particulars, he received the par ticulars on Friday afternoon, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: He received the text that you gave today? Ms Notley: No, just the particulars, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Okay. I just wanted to clarify in my head because there has to be a process here of fairness. S o, hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Creek, you’ve not heard any of this till now? Mr. Zwozdesky: No. The Speaker: Okay. Then I’ll give you till tomorrow, if you wish, to respond. You have to have a chance to study this and to see this. Nobody else has moved after the hon. Member for Edmonton- Strathcona made the presentation, so I gather there are just the two. Hon.

Member for Calgary -Varsity, you wish to participate in this, too? Mr. Chase: Very briefly. The Speaker: Okay. I’ll recognize you tomorrow, prior to, and then if this goes on a third day, it goes on. Now we’re going to move on to the next one. We have a point of order. Airdrie-Chestermere. Point of Order Factual Accuracy Mr. Anderson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am bringing a point of order under Sta nding Order 23(h), (i), (j), and (l). It is regarding the Finance minister’s comment that this province has no debt. I

1208 Alberta Hansard November 21, 2011 asked for the Blues. They are not ready yet for this, so I’ll just cite from memory. Essentially, this hon. minister said that I was fac tually incorrect on various issues and then proceeded to say that we as a province had no debt. The fact that he was making allegations against me that I had made some things up, made facts up: I would say that that also “imputes false and unavowed motives” to myself. It’s insulting language. It also under (

l) introduces a matter into debate that “offends the practices and precedents of this Assembly” in that it wasn’t true because the practices of this Assembly are that you tell the truth in this Assembly and that you don’t say things that don’t meet that criteria. With regard to the comment that he made, that this province has no debt, I just simply refer to the document that this Finance minister presented this morning, the second-quarter budget update. Specifically, on page 10 it lists direct borrowing for capital pur - poses, just in this budget, as $1.8 billion.

On page 8 it goes through the different liabilities that this government has. In accumulated debt it talks about $828 million; liabilities for c apital projects as it stands at the end of the second -quarter forecast, $5.2 billion; other liabilities, $7.6 billion; pension liabilities, $9.9 billion; as well as self -supporting lending organizations. But even if you just look at liabilities for capital projects, just look at that line, clearly in the last several years the government has indeed taken on debt to the tune of, as it says right in his own second- quarter budget estimate, $5.2 billion.

I would ask that the Finance minister correct his misstatement in that regard so that he doesn’t introduce a matter into debate that offends the practices and precedents of this Assembly, which is to actually tell the truth

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20111121
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L27 S4 20111121 1330 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	32b8d1d4cdff21f396a48844cedb454ae152d2fc

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (json).