Alberta Hansard — 16 November 2005, Afternoon sitting (13:30) (Legislature 26, Session 1)

20051116

Alberta — Debates (Hansard)

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1663 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 1:30 p.m. Date: 05/11/16 [The Speaker in the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon. Let us pray. Guide us all in our deliberations and debate that we may determine courses of action which will be to the enduring benefit of our province of Alberta. Amen. Please be seated. head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Advanced Education. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure today to introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly some representatives from Alberta’s postsecondary institutions that engage in international education initiatives. Joining them are staffers from Alberta Advanced Education’s international education division. These people are here today in support of the ministry’s initiatives to promote International Education Week. The celebrations this week demonstrate the significant contribution that international education makes in preparing Albertans for the global world.

As all members will know, the third pillar in our 20-year strategic plan is: competing in a global marketplace. International education and global education is very important to that. Here today representing the postsecondary institutions are Rae McDonald, director of international relations at the University of Alberta, and Pat Bidart, associate vice-president, academic services, Olds College. I might say that Pat recently joined us on our mission to Mexico.

Staff from the ministry are Dan Rizzoli, director of the international education division; Ken Ohashi, director of interna- tional relations for apprenticeship and industry training; Christine Savage; Sandra Zarate; Karin Oxtoby; and Angela Balec. Mr. Speaker, they’re seated in the members’ gallery. I’d ask them to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome and thank you from members of the Legislature. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Health and Wellness. Ms Evans: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What a privilege today to introduce 79 visitors from Lakeland Ridge school in Sherwood Park.

This public school has the unique designation of being a partner with Holy Spirit school. It’s our newest school, and it combines Chil- dren’s Services and Human Resources and Employment with Alberta Works. So the whole school complex is a brand new example of working together. Today the teachers that are accompanying the gr oup are Lindy Mair, Sonya Bushell, and Jay Robertson with parent helpers Kerry Van Camp, Sue King, Connie Bishop, Kim Schultz, Melody Schaufle, Lorna Rae, and Wanda Marchand. They’re seated in the members’ gallery with a wonderful group of students.

Please join me in a warm welcome for Lakeland Ridge public school. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Restructuring and Government Efficiency. Mr. Ouellette: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly an individual who has recently filled a vacancy in the communica- tions branch of Restructuring and Government Efficiency.

I’d like to introduce Tracey Welsh, who has joined our team, from Fort McMurray, where she worked for the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo as their public information officer and most recently filled a similar position for Sturgeon county. Would you please rise, Tracey, and accept the warm welcome of the House. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Children’s Services. Mrs. Forsyth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to introduce to you and through you to the Assembly a very impressive young man from Calgary visiting our Legislature today, Ravinder Minhas.

Ravinder has been recognized as one of Alberta’s Top 40 under 40, the youngest of the group at the age of 23. I might add that he’s the president of Alberta-based Mountain Crest Brewing company, with the logo of Damn Good Beer!, and he’s also been nominated for the Canadian Top 40 under 40. He’s spending the day shadowing me to learn more about politics and government, so I’ve had him running since very early this morning. I would ask Ravinder to rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Fort. Mr. Cao: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a great pleasure for me to introduce to you and through you to the Assembly Dianne Pachal. Dianne is a long-standing conservationist in Alberta and has been a resident of Calgary-Fort for 15 years. She was awarded a 125th anniversary commemorative medal by the government of Canada in 1992 in recognition of significant contribution to compatriot, to community, and to Canada. I would like to ask Dianne to stand and receive a warm welcome from the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Meadowlark. Mr. Tougas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly a fine group of students from Winterburn elementary and junior high school. These students are all enrolled in the Logos Christian education program. They are accompanied by their teacher, Mrs. Jacqueline Baker, and a parent, Mrs. Wendy Werstiuk. If they would rise and please accept the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills. Mr. Marz: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure for me to rise today and introduce 45 students from Dr.

Elliott school, which is located in Linden, Alberta. Accompanying them today are teachers Ms Lenz and Mrs. Hughes along with parents Mr. Huff, Mrs. Ratzlaff, Mr. Heyblom, Mrs. Megli, Mrs. Penner, Mr. Leinweber, Mr. Vigna, Mrs. Klassen, Mrs. Christiansen, Mrs. Kung, Mr. Ratzlaff, and Mr. Reimer. I’d ask them to rise and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a great pleasure for me to rise today to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly our new director of outreach in the Alberta Liberal caucus. She comes with a great background in education and theatre and organization and promotion. I would ask her to rise. Her name is Jill Roszell, and she’s in the public gallery. Please, everyone, give her a warm welcome.

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051664 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford. Mr. R. Miller: Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed my honour and pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly a resident of Edmonton-Rutherford who has become a true friend over the past several years and who I like to think is one of the best darned election sign erectors any- where. Could I please ask Larry Rowan to stand and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. leader of the third party. Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and through you to this Assembly Pat Spady. Pat is a physical therapist who lives near Lamont, Alberta. She has organized a series of vigils here at the Alberta Legislature to help protect public medicare. She’s here today to urge the government to halt any privatization plans for a public health care system. I’d ask that she rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. Mr. Martin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’m delighted today to introduce to you and through you to this Assembly Ms Shirley Barg. Shirley is a former chair of the Council of Alberta University Students as well as a former vice-president external of the Athabasca University Students’ Union. She is currently working in continuing care with the Capital Care Group. Shirley is helping to establish an Alberta branch of the national organization Equal Voice, whose aim is to include more women in electoral politics. I’d now ask that Shirley rise and receive the traditional warm welcome from the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona.

Dr. Pannu: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It gives me very special pleasure today to introduce to you and through you to the Assembly Mr. Neal Gray, who I hope will be one of the Alberta MPs in the next House of Commons. Neal is the NDP candidate in the upcoming federal election in the riding of Edmonton-Mill Woods- Beaumont. Neal currently works in computer support for the Alberta government. He is here today to observe the proceedings of the Legislature. I would now ask that Neal rise and receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. 1:40 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Calder. Mr.

Eggen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to introduce to you and through you to the Assembly Mr. Jeff Sloychuk. Jeff has recently taken a position with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union. He is the former vice-president academic for the Students’ Association of Red Deer College. Last year Jeff received Red Deer College’s highest academic and citizenship award. He organized an association at Red Deer College called Community Coalition for Accessible Education and recently completed another campaign to support the striking workers at Brooks.

I would now ask that Jeff rise and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Public Security and Solicitor General. Mr. Cenaiko: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly five Albertans who are dedicated to reducing the incidence of family violence in our province. They are here today in recognition of Family Violence Prevention Month and in support of the White Ribbon campaign.

The campaign is aimed at men, and wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone, nor remain silent about family violence. With us today are Inspector Tonia Enger of the RCMP, Staff Sergeant Eric McDonald of the Calgary Police Service, Staff Sergeant Dave Zukiwsky of the Edmonton Police Service, and Jan Reimer and Patricia Poohachoff from the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. I’d ask that they please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner. Mr. Hinman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It gives me great pleasure this afternoon to rise and introduce to you and through you to this Assembly a good friend and colleague, Eleanor Maroes, from the Alberta Alliance Party. She is currently serving as our interim leader, and she has been involved with the democratic process since 1989, trying to make our province and country better. I would like her to rise at this time as our honoured guest and receive the warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr. Stevens: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would ask Val Campbell to rise and be recognized.

Val is Alberta Justice’s face to the public on the issue of family violence. Val is a prosecutor who over the past year has trained over 5,000 people in the crime and issues regarding family violence in this province and is doing a fabulous job on behalf of all Albertans. Please acknowledge her. head: Oral Question Period The Speaker: First Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Securities Commission Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Despite indications in the Auditor General’s report on the Alberta Securities Commission of mismanagement, breaches of policy, and a lack of documentation within the commission the Minister of Finance continues to downplay and deny the serious problems within that organization. Now even the Auditor General has said that he does not know how this report could be seen as a clean bill of health by anyone and that changes need to be made to protect the integrity of Alberta’s capital markets. My questions are to the Minister of Finance.

Given the major problems of the Alberta Securities Commission over the last year and the troubling report releas ed this month by the Auditor General, why hasn’t the minister taken the time to meet with the Auditor General to fully discuss what he sees as serious inadequacies of the Securities Commission? Mrs. McClellan: Well, Mr. Speaker, the hon. member opposite should have sent me a note and asked me if I’d met with the Auditor General because indeed I have had a discussion over the report of the Auditor General.

What is most important is the management response to the Auditor General’s report and, indeed, this minister’s response, which says very clearly that we take all of the Auditor General’s recommendations very seriously. We intend to implement

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1665 all of the recommendations in that report. I believe, if I’m not mistaken, that the Auditor Gene ral will be meeting with the commission on progress sometime in the future. Mr. Speaker, it’s clear in this report that the Auditor General has made recommendations to strengthen documentation. It’s clear in this report that the Auditor General had an opportunity to review every case file that he asked to see and that he did not find one file, one case, where he found sufficient information that would have him consider reopening any of the files.

He did however make many recommendations that will improve the processes at the Alberta Securities Commission, and the chairman and members intend to implement them fully. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As recently as 10:30 this morning the Auditor Ge neral said that he had not met with the minister to discuss the report.

My second question to the same minister: given that the Auditor General has found that the Alberta Securities Commission’s enforcement practices were handled poorly, has the minister been given any explanation as to why the executive director continues to remain at the Alberta Securities Commission? Mrs. McClellan: First of all, Mr. Speaker, I don’t know in what context and what timing the Auditor General said that he hadn’t met with me. I have not met with him since the official release of the report, but I have met with him and discussed the report with him.

The Auditor General was away for a period of time and is just back, and when the Auditor General would like to have a meeting with me, I would be most happy to have that discussion with him. However, I have not been in the practice nor will I be in the practice of phoning the Auditor General and asking for a meeting to discuss a report that he has provided to this Assembly and to Albertans. On the issue of conflict of interest, Mr.

Speaker, the commission has implemented processes to ensure as much as possible that this type of inadvertent conflict will not occur again and still protect the integrity and confidentiality of the investigations that the Securities Commission undertakes. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given what the Auditor General today called a serious breach of the code of ethics by the director of enforcement at the Alberta Securities Commission, can the minister explain why that person is still in his job? Mrs. McClellan: Mr.

Speaker, I recall that in the spring there was a lot of criticism of some people that weren’t in their jobs for breaches. I can tell the hon. member that the Securities Commission has had a complete review of this situation, believes that it was totally inadvertent, that there was no intention, and, as I indicated, has put in place processes to ensure as much as possible that this could not happen in the future. The Speaker: Second Official Opposition main question. The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition. Health Care Insurance Privatization Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The inevitable effect of allowing doctors to broadly practise in both the public and private systems is a ratcheting up of health care costs as one system plays against the other to provide medical services. The plan by this government to increase the role of private insurance corporations is absolutely guaranteed to raise health care costs, yet documents that the Alberta Liberal caucus has obtained detail the government’s plan to allow, indeed facilitate, exactly this. My questions are to the Minister of Health and Wellness.

Given that government documents repeatedly speak about the need for better access to hip and knee replacements, why doesn’t the minister spend the million and a half dollars she’s giving to Aon Consulting on providing more hip and knee replace- ments instead? 1:50 Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, let me be clear. I cited yesterday that on the web for all Albertans the documents exist for Alberta Health, defining the steps that were being considered. Let me address first of all the opting in/opting out. Al berta still, regrettably, has lower physicians per 1,000 than many other places.

Opting in/opting out could provide what exists in seve ral other provinces; that is, an opportunity for physicians in regulated and controlled situations to work in both systems, thereby enhancing both opportunities. It was a discussion point without a fait accompli. We have scheduled, Mr. Speaker, a discussion with both the AMA and the CMA to talk about what the physician’s best role is, reminding the member opposite that on August 15 the Canadian Medical Associa- tion said that they rejected a proposal that would eliminate the opportunity to look at a parallel private system.

All we’re talking about is giving doctors an opportunity to do more work in Alberta under certain controlled conditions. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given that the minister’s own documents, which she has made public after our pressure, admit that the very people on waiting lists, the very people who need hip and knee replacements won’t qualify for private insurance, how does she think this scheme is going to help them? Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, let’s not take an extremist view of a discussion document.

We have three pilot projects to enhance the opportunity for people to get hip and knee repl acements. Indeed, 1,200 more Albertans will receive those hip and knee replacements as a result of an injection of funds that we have made. Now, we could add more money for hip and knee replacements, but then they obviously have to have a bed to go in. Many of the places are at 100 per cent capacity. Let’s get back to the point that he first addressed, which is, “Why would we do this study?” Isn’t it responsible? Wouldn’t Martha and Henry out there want to know what it costs before we make any moves?

We’ve asked for an actuarial review of costs and how we’re currently paying for Alberta Health and how we might pay in future to enhance Albertans’ opportunities for choice and options to gain the health care that they need. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On page 3 of the documents, which the minister has, it says, “Introduce notwithstanding provision to Alberta Health Care Insurance Act.” Could she explain, please? Ms Evans: It means, simply – and this is a

summary on step 2, amending the opting-in rule – that we currently have a rule that prevents people from opting out, and it would enable them to opt in

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051666 under certain conditions. It says, “providing exceptions.” It goes further to say, “Any range of exceptions could be made to relieve various system pressure points.” In other words, you might not allow all physicians to opt in and opt out. You might allow those in certain disciplines. Again, Mr. Speaker, it’s a discussion document, which I think Albertans will have ample opportunity to review when we bring forward any legislative amendments or intent next spring. It’s not part of this fall agenda, but I’d be pleased to discuss it with the hon. members at any time.

The Speaker: Third Official Opposition main question. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Health Care Privatization Ms Blakeman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government contin- ues to lurch toward its goal of privatizing Alberta’s valued public health care system, known these days as the third way. As with the first wave of privatization, known as Bill 11, the government is planning to mount a PR campaign to convince Albertans that they aren’t entitled to their public health care system. My questions are to the Minister of Health and Wellness.

How will spending tax dollars to shift Albertans’ expect ations from health entitlement for all to a lower expectation result in better health care? Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, let me cite a few facts. I think these are things that Albertans want to know. If you went in for a hip replacement today, just a standard would be $12,000. If you had a stroke, it would be $25,000 if you spent four days in bed. If you had a child that was born premature and spent 42 days in an ICU, it would be $42, 000. If you had a kidney transplant, it would be $37,200.

Quite simply put, it’s up to this government to look at ways to make our health care system affordable and sustainable so that my grandchildren and yours can have help when they need it. Ms Blakeman: Telling people how much it costs doesn’t make it better. My next question to the minister is: given that the government has assured Albertans that these unpopular reforms would be carried out only after full and open consultation with Albertans, where is the public consultation that was promised? Ms Evans: Well, Mr. Speaker, right now we’re not bringing any reforms before this Legislative Assembly.

I’ve been out talking to every region, listening to community leaders in every part of this province and every health authority about third way initiatives. We’re gathering information from Albertans. We’re defining what could be a plan. Mr. Speaker, what I think is remarkable is that people understand today that we can’t have things the way we always did. In 1966 the average Canadian spent $34 a year of public money on health. About three years ago that average was $2,685.

If you adjust 13 and a half times for inflation, it would mean today, if you took those same indices and applied them to other things and other commodi- ties we buy, that the minimum wage for Albertans would be $80 and a family car would cost $270,000. Ms Blakeman: Total red herrings. My final question today to the Minister of Health and Wellness: given that the minister claimed that the plan for privatization released last week was simply working documents and does not represent government policy and that the Premier very clearly stated that paying for private insurance is the policy, who is actually in charge?

Ms Evans: Well, Mr. Speaker, it’s really clear to me that we have the best leader in Alberta, and he is in charge. Mr. Klein: I would like to supplement, Mr. Speaker, since my name was mentioned in vain. A clarification. The hon. member made an accusation that the health care system would not look after the sick and injured, something to that effect. I don’t know her exact words; I’d have to read the Blues. I want to say to this Legislative Assem- bly that anyone at any time who is sick or injured will get treatment under the public health system as we know it today.

The Speaker: The hon. leader of the third party, followed by the hon. Member for Foothills-Rocky View. Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s a little counterproductive because the government’s answers are making us sick. Mr. Speaker, on his travelling road show next week in eastern Canada the Premier has promised to tell the truth about his govern- ment’s plans to privatize our health care system. Now, I’m sure that Stephen Harper is thrilled to hear that, given the result of the last election.

It will be quite a contrast to the Premier’s performance in the last provincial election, where he denied plans to privatize our health care system and promised to consult with Albertans before any changes were made. To the Premier: when he goes on his grand tour of eastern Canada, will he tell eastern Canadians that his government has hired one of the largest private insurance companies in North America to recommend ways to privatize Alberta health insurance? Mr.

Klein: If I’m asked, I will say that Aon has been retained by the government to do an evaluation of the insurance component of what might or might not be legislation. If I’m asked. The Speaker: The hon. leader. Mr. Mason: Thank you. When the Premier goes on his travelling road show in eastern Canada, will he tell eastern Canadians that his government has developed a communication strategy designed to convince Albertans to lower their expectations for public health care in this province? 2:00 Mr. Klein: Mr. Speaker, I have not heard that. It has never been discussed.

It is a figment of the hon. leader’s imagination. So if I’m asked the question, I will say that this is a figment of Mr. Mason’s imagination. The Speaker: Hon. member, we can’t use names in the House. Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, for the Premier’s information that report was tabled by my colleagues just yesterday in the House, I believe, so it’s available to him.

Will the Premier, when he goes on his junket in eastern Canada, tell eastern Canadians that his government is hell-bent on destroying our single-payer public health care system, something that most Canadians, including Albertans, depend on and cherish? Mr. Klein: Mr. Speaker, I will tell people in eastern Canada and I’ll tell the Prime Minister following that tour when we meet on

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1667 aboriginal issues in Kelowna at a first ministers’ meeting that we’re spending nearly $10 billion annually on health care, that the system as we know it today is not sustainable, and every Premier and every health minister in the country, including the ND health ministers, agree with that. They agree that throwing more money at the system is not the answer. Perhaps it’s part of the answer; I don’t know. But I can’t see a healthier, as I said before, ND and a healthier Liberal for the $10 billion or nearly $10 b illion that we’re spending on health care.

What I will tell them is that we’re looking at options to make sure that health care is sustainable for future generations. But I will tell them and I’ll tell this hon. member right now that if he is as sick as he says he is, he will get treatment. We will call an ambulance for him, and he will get treatment in the hospital under the public system. Mr. Speaker, I suspect that he is feigning sickness – he is feigning sickness – and that is precisely what puts pressure on the health care system. Resource Revenues Dr. Morton: Mr.

Speaker, with all the talk about spending the unbudgeted surplus and the release of the second-quarter fiscal update, some Albertans and many Canadians seem to think that there is no end to Alberta’s resource wealth. This view is not only false but dangerous. Resource revenues are volatile. It wasn’t long ago that oil prices were only $12 a barrel, and Alberta’s reserves of both conventional oil and gas are already in decline. My questions are to the Minister of Finance. How are we ensuring that Albertans understand the volatility of these resource revenues? Mrs. McClellan: Well, Mr.

Speaker, first of all, we update Alber- tans annually on our budget. Secondly, we provide quarterly reports, which we did today of the second quarter, informing Albertans of the current prices, as current as you can be in a second-quarter update. Of course, the second quarter certainly did demonstrate the volatility of oil and gas. I don’t think that any energy analyst predicted what would happen with oil and gas prices in the world this summer. The second thing we have done, Mr. Speaker, to try and explain this to Albertans was to send them a brochure that outlined how we manage surplus dollars.

The feedback that I have had has been very positive. People want to have that information, want to understand it, and in fact have asked some very good questions from that. The brochure points out very clearly that oil and gas revenues or natural resource revenues are the most volatile and difficult to predict. We try to ensure that Albertans understand that and understand that our budget is based on what we believe are predictable revenues. The Speaker: The hon. member. Dr. Morton: Thank you.

Next week economists at the University of Calgary will release a report predicting that by 2010, in only five years, Alberta’s energy resource revenues will be only about half of what they are today. My question is again to the same minister. Is the government using these revenues responsibly to build the foundation for future sustained prosperity, or is it giving in to short- term spending projects? Mrs. McClellan: Well, Mr.

Speaker, I think the response that I’ve heard from Albertans is that they do believe the expenditures that have been made are an investment in the future, whether they’re the $1.4 billion in health care facilities, which will enable us to better look after people in our public health system, or they’re education facilities at the primary, secondary, and postsecondary levels, understanding that the success of this province in the future is a well-educated, well-trained workforce. People have responded very well to that.

In the area of roads and transportation, Albertans understand that we are an export province, that we are a landlocked province, and we require good transportation, good economic routes to move our goods and services. Mr. Speaker, in this very capital region we have some 170 companies that process just food and beverage products that are shipped to 100 countries in the world, and that brings home to us how important a good transportation system is. So I think we are investing in the future and the future prosperity of this province. The Speaker: The hon. member. Dr. Morton: Thank you. Mr.

Speaker, since 1961 Alberta has sent $243 billion to the rest of Canada in equalization and transfer payments, over $2,500 for every man, woman, and child in Alberta. My final supplemental to the minister is: how is the government explaining to our friends in central Canada that Alberta’s economic success benefits all Canadians? Mrs. McClellan: Well, Mr. Speaker, it is important that we understand each province’s contribution to Canada. I most recently had an opportunity to meet with finance ministers and some other ministers when we were dealing with securities regulation, and we talked about the economy.

More recently than that, in a meeting with the federal Finance minister we talked about this very thing: Alberta’s contribution to Canada. One might have listened to the federal Finance minister yesterday when he talked about what they were able to do with surplus dollars that they had garnered and mentioned oil and gas revenues as a prime driver in that. Most recently the Canadian Energy Research Institute put out a report that everyone should read, and it indicates that the federal government is the largest recipient of the tax revenue that will be generated by the oil and gas industry.

Ottawa will see $51 billion, or about 41 per cent, of the anticipated $123 billion. I think, Mr. Speaker, that everyone recognizes that a strong Alberta is good for Canada, that a strong British Columbia is good for Canada. For every province in this country, if they have strength and contribute to Canada, that is a good thing, and we want to be a part of that. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Mountain View, followed by the hon. Member for Stony Plain. Hazardous Material Spill at Wabamun Lake Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On August 3 a CN train derailment near Wabamun Lake caused a massive environmental disaster. This will affect the local ecosystem and the people of Lake Wabamun for decades. Perhaps the most shocking part of this tragic incident was that it was entirely preventable if the government had ensured that it had the capability entrusted to it for on-the-ground intervention. To the Minister of Environment: can the minister explain why this government was so inexcusably unprepared for a hazardous release like Wabamun? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Boutilier: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Indeed, on that day, as the hon. member has mentioned, for Lake Wabamun and its residents it truly was an ecological disaster. But let me share with this House and the hon. member that the Alberta law that we have

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051668 under Alberta protection as well as under the Water Act is one of the strongest laws in this entire Confederation of Canada. We hold responsible industries and those who, in fact, contaminate a rich resource that we have, such as water and land. I also want to say that the enforcement orders that the government and the Ministry of Environment, in fact, issued in the first two days of this event were something that was unprecedented as well. 2:10 We are working very closely with the residents.

It is without question an investigation that is c ontinuing into all of the circum- stances, and it’s my hope within the weeks to come to report on the investigation to this Assembly. As well, there is an environmental commission that is looking at how we can do better. I will never apologize for saying that Albertans have an attitude, that we represent, that we can always do better.

I want to thank all those who were involved directly on that day, the day after, and the day after that as the cleanup continues, and we are making progress in that cleanup to restore it for not only this generation but future generations as well. The Speaker: The hon. member. Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: what is your role in such disasters? Mr. Boutilier: Mr. Speaker, on that day as Minister of Environment, in fact, my wife and I were scheduled for a week to be at our own cottage on a lake.

I’ve now come to realize that if there ever is going to be an ecological disaster, I know when it’s going to be. It’s going to be on the day that I

schedule to be away for a week. On that day we left to attend Wabamun and spent the next many weeks there with, of course, the hon. Member for Stony Plain working closely with officials. This Assembly may not be aware that in the first 24 hours we hired a leading expert worldwide, right here from the University of Alberta, Dr. David Schindler, to advise me directly. As well, we hired Dr. Ron Goodman, who in fact was the expert who was dealing with the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez, another ecological disaster, who also was advising me directly as Minister of Environment. Mr.

Speaker, I can assure all members of this House and all Albertans that we are doing our very best in terms of this cleanup and restoring this lake again to the proper order it deserves for its residents. The Speaker: The hon. member. Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That wasn’t the question, but it was four days before there was any action on the ground. Since the government has admitted that it failed the people of Alberta, to the Deputy Premier: what funds have been dedicated this year to ensure on-the-ground response to such emergencies in the future? Mrs. McClellan: Mr.

Speaker, the Minister of Environment has a budget that he can deal with these things within. We have emer- gency measures funding so that we can deal with this, and because of the foresight of this government we have disaster funding available for this. When it is required and the Minister of Environ- ment comes forward requiring dollars for this, this government is prepared and in sound fiscal position to respond. I’d ask him to supplement. The Speaker: The hon. minister to supplement. Mr. Boutilier: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

To the hon. member – and a very good question again – essentially, as you know, the Alberta Environ- mental Protection Commission, which is headed by the chancellor, Dr. Eric Newell, and the very worldwide members of that panel are bringing, in fact, recommendations back to me as minister by the end of this very month. In fact, they provided an interim report to Albertans at the end of September. It is on the website, and I can assure you that we will be taking quick and concise action based on whatever those recommendations are, that the Minister of Finance has referenced too.

This government will act in terms of what those recommendations are in restoring that lake to its proper order. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Stony Plain, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford. Mr. Lindsay: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is also regarding the CN spill and the 700,000 litres of bunker C crude oil that spilled into the lake and the 60,000 litres of utility pole penetrat- ing lubricant. My first question is to the Minister of Environment. How long will it be before this cleanup is completed? Mr. Boutilier: Mr.

Speaker, I can assure you of this: it will not be quick enough for any of us in Alberta. I know I want to formally thank the hon. member and his wife, who during those days of the original cleanup, in fact, offered their home and, actually, facilities to many of the environmental protection people that were there and dealing with this ecological disaster. The cleanup work on the enforcement orders that were issued was completed this fall, but well water testing will continue throughout the entire winter months.

Of course, I want to also say to this Assembly today that officials from my ministry will be in fact meeting once again tonight with residents of Wabamun Lake in dealing with many of the important issues that have been brought up by members here today. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Lindsay: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My first supplemental is to the same minister. When is it anticipated that the bans on boating, water usage, and fishing and hunting will be lifted? Mr. Boutilier: Mr.

Speaker, the short answer is that this upcoming spring, after winter passes, based on the work we have done, we’ll be in a better position to answer that. That’s a very common question for those recreational users and fishermen and Albertans who enjoy this incredible environment that we have. At this point in time we need to ensure that we do a thorough review to ensure that the quality and the safety of the water is protected for Albertans now and well into the future. Mr.

Lindsay: My second supplemental, to the same minister: when does the minister expect the commission that is reviewing this incident to make their final report or recommendations to ensure that this type of catastrophe never happens again? Mr. Boutilier: As I mentioned earlier to the hon. member, Mr. Speaker, the actual report is scheduled to come back by the end of November. The commissioners and chairman of the commission, Dr. Newell, indicated that they are on track and on

schedule to be reporting back to me by the end of November. I intend to in fact be sharing with all members of this Assembly its recommendations. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford, followed by the hon. Member for Red Deer-North.

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1669 Automobile Insurance Mr. R. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the end of July the government trumpeted in one of their famous news releases that “good Alberta drivers will see another four per cent . . . reduction in mandatory auto insura nce this November.” Many companies objected, not surprisingly, and now we learn that most will not have to honour the reduction. Some have even been allowed to increase their rates. My question is for the Minister of Finance.

Will the minister please tell good Alberta drivers why they are not receiving a reduction and, in fact, why some are paying more for the auto insurance than they did before? Mrs. McClellan: You know, Mr. Speaker, th is is a bit frustrating because I am quite accustomed to having questions from the hon. member, and they’re usually pretty well researched and documented, but where the hon. member would’ve got the impression that most Alberta drivers would not see a reduction . . . [interjection] Obvi- ously, a misreading of the website because 90-some per cent will see a reduction. Mr.

Speaker, what actually happens is this. All companies are subjected to a reduction. [interjection] Patience. All companies have the opportunity to make a case for an exemption to the Automobile Insurance Rate Board. They make the case, and they have to provide actuarial information that would show that it would not be reasonable for them to provide a reduction. Now, there are a number of reasons why that might occur. One might be that they had previously put in a reduction that was more than was asked for later on. I can assure the hon. member that the majority of Alberta drivers are not in that position.

There are 11 companies, I believe, that have applied for an exemption, and some have applied the reduction to a portion of their insurance, but every company in this province is subjected to the reduction unless they can show with actuarial information that they should be exempted. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. R. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the same minister: given that insurance companies use their own actuarial information when applying for an exemption, how can Albertans be assured that the data provided to the Auto mobile Insurance Rate Board is accurate and complete? Mrs. McClellan: Well, Mr.

Speaker, we don’t have to be worried about that because the Automobile Insurance Rate Board will check their actuarial information, I can assure you. Eighty-four per cent of the market is applying the reduction. That’s what I take exception to in the first question. Eighty-four per cent. When you stand and say that most Alberta drivers will not see a reduction, I have trouble with the credibility of the question.

So I will explain to you that exemptions to five insurers, comprising about 11 per cent of the market, were granted on the condition that they reduce their rate for optional coverage, not fully but for optional. The policyholders of them will see a reduction. Mr. Speaker, 95 per cent – 95, one more time – of the market will see a decrease in their rates. I cannot have this Legislature believe that the majority of Alberta drivers will not see a reduction when the facts are 95 per cent. 2:20 Mr. R. Miller: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to know how many members of this Assembly have received a rebate.

To the same minister: when can we expect the Public Affairs Bureau to issue a further press release explaining to those good drivers why the flawed insurance reforms have not worked for them and not provided any relief to those good Alberta drivers? Mrs. McClellan: Well, Mr. Speaker, what I would recommend to people that do believe that they have been treated unfairly or that did not receive a reduction when they s hould have is that they would contact me or the Automobile Insurance Rate Board because clearly this member does not have his information correct, cannot read the website correctly.

This informa tion is open and available on the Automobile Insurance Rate Board website. It clearly shows that 95 per cent of drivers will see a reduction, not that the majority won’t. So, Mr. Speaker, to the drivers out there who feel that they should have had a reduction, had good driving records – I don’t want to know how many people in this Assembly got a reduction because I don’t want to know that much about their driving. I want to ensure that people understand that they can write to me and/or to the insurance rate board and ask the question. I’d be happy to respond. The Speaker: The hon.

Member for Red Deer-North, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Crystal Methamphetamine Mrs. Jablonski: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently I spoke to the superintendent of police in Red Deer and asked him what would be the one issue of most concern for the police in Red Deer. He answered with two words: crystal meth. He then went on to say that what really concerned him is the fact that he didn’t know of one 10- year-old child that couldn’t get their hands on $10, the cost of a packet of crystal meth. A child that uses crystal meth will have their undeveloped brain altered forever.

Brain damage is permanent for anyone who uses crystal meth. My question is for the Minister of Health and Wellness. Will the minister outline what we are doing in Alberta to address crystal meth? Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, first of all, I think it’s well known in this Assembly that the Member for Red Deer-North has already done a great deal herself to bring this i ssue forward to this Assembly.

I would also say that most of the ministers on the front bench particularly involved with the soft side of the agenda and the Solicitor General involved with the policing are involved in a collaborative cross-ministry effort, working to make sure we bring forward all of the issues within the context of our own area of authority so we can follow through. With the chair of AADAC, the hon. Member for Calgary-Lougheed, we’ve been working to fill gaps in programs, namely detoxification and residential treatment for youth, building on our existing foundation.

Opening this month the last few beds in Calgary, just on Thursday, we’ll have 24 new youth detoxification and residential treatment beds. Now, while they were not specifically built originally fo r crystal meth, they will become part of our support network for crystal meth. Our new youth residential treatment programs have initiated a special treatment protocol for meth users. Finally, Mr. Speaker, I’d say that we’re pleased to have a committee of outside assistance with Colleen Klein and Dr.

Bob Westbury, who will help address the gaps and link us with the business community and corporate community, who share the concerns of the police in Red Deer and the hon. Member for Red Deer-North. The Speaker: The hon. member.

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051670 Mrs. Jablonski: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Because Bill 202, the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act, will help with concerns about kids addicted to crystal meth, could the minister give us a brief update on what we’re doing to implement Bill 202? Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, we know that by July 2006 this bill is to be ready for implementation.

We’re working on costing the initiatives of adding yet more treatment beds and now also adding a program that extends from the five-day detoxification, working with counsel- lors, day treatment programs, family programs for support for parents, support groups, and mobile teen services. Mr. Speaker, there is virtually an army of people working in this government, including those from AADAC, that are ready and willing to make sure that we follow up on that legislative framework. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mrs. Jablonski: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the same minister: do we have any plans to expand youth treatment facilities in central, southern, and northern Alberta? Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope so, although final determination of other sites for residential treatment beds has not been made. You know about the ones that have been opened in Calgary and Edmonton. We know that there’s a significant concern in central Alberta. I think what we have to define is a standard for how far people should live from their nearest treatment bed so that we have some standard of availability to take care of the needs.

We won’t be able to address them all in the first year, but I do know that there are strong representations from the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat area, from the Drayton Valley area, and from Red Deer itself for active treatment beds. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Natural Gas Prices Mr. MacDonald: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday in this House the Premier announced that next week he will be touring the rest of Canada. This tour confirms that a political lame duck can still fly.

One of the Premier’s stops is Ontario, where consumers pay less for natural gas produced in Alberta than we do here. My first question is to the Minister of Energy. Why are Alberta consumers paying on average 30 per cent more than Torontonians for natural gas that is produced here in Alberta and is used in both places for residential heating? Mr. Melchin: Actually, Ontario on average does not pay less than Alberta for natural gas. It is true that some of the jurisdictions in many places, Ontario and other places in the world, will take different positions as to when they hedge or not.

Usually when you hedge, that involves a premium, an insurance of sorts, so they will spread that over a longer time. While they might pay less during the winter months, they’re going to pay more on average. So Alberta continues to pay less than even that marketplace. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. MacDonald: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again to the same minister: why are Alberta consumers paying on average 60 per cent more than the people of Saskatchewan for natural gas for residential use? Mr. Melchin: Actually, once again, you know, you don’t give all the information, all the facts.

You might select an individual month with an individual bill. It’s true that in any one month they may pay less, but on average Albertans continue to pay the least. The other thing that we have done for Albertans is that there’s no other jurisdiction that actually also provides a natural gas rebate. That program likely this year will return upwards of $600 million directly to the consumers as a shield against the high prices of natural gas. Mr. MacDonald: Even with the rebate, Mr. Speaker, we pay more.

Given that former Progressive Conservative Premier Peter Lougheed, who was never a political lame duck Premier, had a real plan to allow Alberta consumers to have the lowest home heating costs on the continent – the lowest home heating costs on the continent – how come we can’t in this province now have a lower domestic price for natural gas that’s used for residential heating, like the former Progressive Conservative government used to have? Mr. Melchin: Mr. Speaker, Albertans have benefited tremendously by even the deregulation of natural gas.

If they would take a look, just look what’s happened to this industry as a result of the explora- tion. I might remind them that natural gas brought in royalties to this province of $6 billion to $7 billion last year, substantially more this year. It has allowed the capacity to likewise provide the consumers the natural gas rebate program. There’s no other jurisdiction across Canada that has $600 million that comes to them, where they do actually pay the least cost anywhere in Canada. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Castle Downs. Aon Consulting Inc.

Dr. Pannu: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Aon Consulting Inc., a company with a clear vested interest in seeing expansion of private health insurance, has been hired by this government to study the wholesale privatization of public health insurance in this province. The medical services being considered for private insurance or out- of-pocket payments include primary care, nonemergency surgery and diagnostic procedures, nonemergency hospitalization, and specialist medical services. My questions are to the Minister of Health and Wellness.

How can the minister expect to get a credible, objective, and untainted report from its $1.5 million health care funding study when the contractor hired has a clear vested interest in expanding private insurance into health services now covered by public insurance in this province? 2:30 Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe that it’s fair for the hon. member opposite to impugn motives to Aon Consulting, who have been hired to do nothing involved in providing insurance products for Albertans, in actual fact to do costing on the health system.

They will gain no advantage from any decision that this government ultimately makes relative to the analysis they do. They will be providing a piece of financial information on how we would be able to pay for health services if we move under any different model; for example, anything to deal with pharmacare, conti nuous care, or supplementary health services. Mr. Speaker, I think it’s very clear that they were hired through a competitive process. They illustrated their capacity to do actuarial work.

Finance officials and Health officials and officials from Government Services looked over all of the criteria of this company,

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1671 and they found them to be very competent in the areas in which they have been secured to do the job. The Speaker: The hon. member. Dr. Pannu: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m surprised that the minister is unable to see the vested interest this company has in private health insurance.

My second question to her: why did the government not include in its request for proposals a public-sector comparator that would have compared the total cost, regardless of payer, of providing these health services under a private insurance scheme with the cost of providing these health services through single-payer public insur- ance. Why did she not include that? Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, I will have to check the Blues, but I think the hon. member persists in impugning motives or, in fact, deliber- ately distorting the picture of what Aon has been hired to do through the process of the RFP.

They have been hired to do an actuarial model. There is no Aon insurance company involved with Aon Consult- ing. There is no Aon insurance company north of the 49th parallel. This is Aon Consulting. This company has 47,000 employees in 120 countries, 800 in Canada. The ones that have been hired from Aon Consulting here have been members of the Reed Stenhouse corpora- tion that were incorporated, and they’re eminently qualified to do the job of financial analysis, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. member. Dr. Pannu: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My second supplementary to the same minister: why does the mini ster refuse to admit that the government’s real agenda has nothing to do with making health services less costly for Martha and Henry and everything to do with shifting more of the costs of paying for health care onto average Alberta families by forcing them to buy more expensive private health insurance? Ms Evans: Mr. Speaker, the trend of these questions seems to lead Martha and Henry to believe that we are going to destroy the public health system.

Would a government that put a $1.4 billion invest- ment in the public health system for capital facilities across this province contemplate weakening a public health system because they are looking for alternatives to make sure that we have a sustainable health system for the future? We can be terrorized by the opposition, but we will finally be judged on whether or not we have the foresight to do the right thing in health care. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Castle Downs. Crime Rate Reduction Mr. Lukaszuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Edmonton this year has witnessed an unusual number of homicides, and the year is not over yet. Several of these tragic incidents appear to be organized crime related. Evidently our police are dealing with much more sophisti- cated and much more violent criminals. To the Solicitor General: since one of the allegations is that the capital city does not have the sufficient number of police officers to address the issues of escalat- ing crime in our city, what is the minister doing to assist our police department in dealing with this issue? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Cenaiko: Thank you very much, Mr.

Speaker. The homicide rate is indeed, of course, an issue for all of us, for every Albertan, not just in the city of Edmonton but in Calgary and in other areas of the province as well. The province showed a commitment this past spring by adding an additional $24 millio n to policing, with the largest increase of police officers that we’ve seen in almost 20 years.

Some of those officers were added as a provincial component to the Edmonton Police Service that are working on organized crime, that are working on integrated child exploitation as well as looking at the investigations in and around the city of Edmonton regarding Project Kare. Yes, there are a number of initiatives the province is working on and working with. We’re meeting with the chiefs of police on a regular basis to look at new strategies in policing and new opportuni- ties for the future. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Lukaszuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My only supplemental, to the same minister: what is the minister doing to get law enforcement agencies across the province on the same page when it comes to reducing crime in this province and in this city? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Cenaiko: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This shows a good example. When IROC was started three years ago or two and a half years ago, that was the first integrated model of policing that we had in this province. We’ve built on that. Now IROC has approximately 61 officers and analysts working in that office. The organized crime strategy that was started this past year, Mr.

Speaker, has shown a definite asset in a number of arrests in both Edmonton and Calgary as well as in rural Alberta. We’ve seen some renewed spirit and renewed evidence regarding our dismantling of and our fight against organized crime. We’re also continuing to look this year at other areas, Mr. Speaker, continuing to look at new strategies of how we could be policing. We have, in fact, nine officers from Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Edmonton, and Calgary.

They began meeting yesterday for the next few days regarding building an intelligence model that will be providing that ability to have a centralized, analytical location for all officers in Alberta. That’s coming. That’s going to be starting soon. They’re developing that program this week, and then the plans will come out over the next little while. The last point I want to mention, Mr. Speaker, is that as we move forward, as the minister of health mentioned earlier, the task force on crystal meth is going to be huge for this province.

We’re going to be looking at stakeholders from a number of different areas right across the province to look at how we can combat that issue, obviously, under the tremendous leadership of Dr. Colleen Klein and Dr. Bob Westbury. The Speaker: Hon. members, today six members will participate in statements, and before I call on the first of such, might we revert briefly to Introduction of Guests? [Unanimous consent granted] head: Introduction of Guests (reversion) The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity.

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051672 Mr. Chase: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you to this House I w ould like to introduce the following guests who have travelled from across the province and the nation to support the Castle-Crown wilderness park initiative.

I would ask the guests to please stand after their names have been called so that we can recognize them with the traditional greeting of this House: James Tweedie, conservation director, Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition; Judith Huntley, executi ve director; Joe Obad, conserva- tion director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Calgary-Banff chapter; Jill Sturdy, national outreach co-ordinator for CPAWS; Harvey Locke, national senior conservation adviser for CPAWS; Meredith James of the Sierra Club of Canada; Selena Smith, a post- graduate student at the University of Alberta; Rebecca Reeves, parks watch co-ordinator for CPAWS, Edmonton chapter; George Newton of CPAWS and Federation of Alberta Naturalists.

Please, can we give them a round of applause? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Vignettes from Alberta’s History The Speaker: Hon. members, by way of an historical vignette today on this day in 1966 the voice of the New Democratic Party was heard for the first time in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta when the New Democratic member for Pincher Creek-Crowsnest, Garth Turcott, spoke during the debate on the Speech from the Throne. Mr. Turcott was elected in a by-election as the result of the death of a Social Credit member, William Kovach. Mr.

Turcott was defeated in the next provincial general election on May 23, 1967, by Social Credit member Charles Drain, and there was not to be another New Democratic member elected until the general election of August 30, 1971, when Grant Notley was elected to represent the cons tituents of Spirit River-Fairview. head: 2:40 Members’ Statements The Speaker: The hon. Member for Grande Prairie-Smoky. Edson Trail Mr. Knight: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One hundred years ago the frontier of agricultural settlement in Alberta extended as far north as Athabasca Landing.

By 1910 the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway opened up more country west of Edmonton, and all the best farmland in central Alberta was soon pre-empted. Accounts from explorers suggested that there were a series of prairies in northwestern Alberta. These had names such as La Grande Prairie, Spirit River Prairie, and Pouce Coupe Prairie. Early accounts suggested that the land was very fer tile. Unfortunately, these northern prairies were separated from the south by a nearly impenetrable expanse of muskeg and boreal forest.

This area was called the last best west, and pressure to find a route from the south to La Grande Prairie was formidable. Responding to these pressures in 1911, the provincial government sent a survey team to cut a trail from Edson to Grande Prairie. The trail was noted for its mud and poor conditions, and at times it was impassable. However, for five years it brought thousands of homesteaders to the northern prairies. It was the last land rush to the last best west. The trail fell into disuse in 1916, when the Edmon- ton, Dunvegan, and British Columbia Railway reached Grande Prairie.

Since the days of the Red River settlement this is the only example of settlers preceding the railway into an agricultural area. The Edson to Grande Prairie trail opened up northwestern Alberta to settlement. The original pioneers built a regional economy to include forestry and energy. Hard work and commitment have now provided a significant regional prosperity. The Edson Trail Histori- cal Society has commemorated the achievement of our pioneers by creating a historical documentary film about this famous trail. This valuable resource, Mr.

Speaker, has been aired on public television, receiving very positive reviews. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lac La Biche-St. Paul. Métis Week Mr. Danyluk: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure on behalf of the government of the Alberta, and having two settlements in my constituency, to recognize November 13 to 19 as Métis Week in Alberta. Métis people are known as vibrant, resilient, and adaptable. They are a proud nation whose history and traditions date back to the early 1700s.

Métis Week not only celebrates a unique culture; it is a chance to reflect on how the Métis have helped shape our great province. Métis culture is vibrant and alive in our province, and you can experience the living history and culture of Métis by visiting Métis Crossing near Smoky Lake in northern Alberta. Alberta is the only province in Canada to provide a land base of 1.5 million acres for Métis and the only province to provide a governance structure to eight Métis settlements.

A framework agreement is also in place with the Métis Nation of Alberta that provides an opportunity for Métis people out of settlements to develop and influence policy and programs that impact their lives. Just last year Alberta signed interim harvesting agreements with the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Settlements General Council to ensure that all rules of the land will be followed. This morning there was a Louis Riel commemoration ceremony at the Legislature. This ceremony has occurred for at least 20 years and helps to kick off Métis Week.

It was our opportunity to enjoy Métis history, culture, and traditions and to recognize a nation that has and continues to make a difference to our province. Many activities will be held across the province, and I encourage you to join in as many as you can. The Métis are unique aboriginal people, and the government of Alberta is pleased to acknowledge Métis Week. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Montrose. Vietnamese Cao Daist Society Mr. Pham: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to pay tribute and honour to those of us in society who without fanfare or personal benefit reach out to the less fortunate in our world and brighten up their lives. While most of us never know hunger, disease, or unsanitary conditions, there are many people on this Earth who do not share our bounty. In a province such as ours with staggering budgetary surpluses and boundless opportunities we are blessed with the ability to directly affect the lives of the less fortunate, especially the abandoned and destitute.

I am very proud and honoured to inform this honourable place that two groups in my working-class riding have r ecently played a significant role in the betterment of the lives of the poorest and defenceless among us. The Vietnamese Cao Daist society of Calgary teamed up with the Applewood Park Community Associa- tion to deliver many humanitarian projects in Vietnam.

As a proud Albertan of Vietnamese descent I am humbled by their combined generosity to raise money from their hard-working members and reach out thousands of miles away through the drilling of many wells to bring potable, clean water to many poor villages in

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1673 southern Vietnam. They supplied many other basics of human life to these villages. Their contributions provided f ood and shelter to homeless seniors and children, job training for the infirm and handicapped so that they can lead productive lives. Finally, they provided critical medicines to many charitable doctors who teamed up with these organizations to alleviate suffering and help heal the sick. I’m very proud to say that they are from my riding of Calgary- Montrose. I’m also honoured to be able to publicly acknowledge their very generous actions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity. Castle Wilderness Mr. Chase: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On June 1, 2005, an Alberta legend passed on, and I rise today to urge the government to designate the Castle wilderness as a wildland provincial park in the legacy of Andy Russell. Th is wilderness area just north of Waterton Lakes national park is a sublime landscape of virtually unparalleled natural diversity, home to nearly half of Alberta’s plant species and a full complement of large carnivores.

Protecting the area’s three underrepresented ecoregions – the montane, the foothills fescue gr asslands, and the foothills aspen parkland – will help make this the corner piece completing the province’s conservation puzzle. It will contribute to the Yellow- stone to Yukon initiative, an international compendium of over 800 conservation groups committed to creating a 3,200 kilometre long protected area network from Yellowstone national park to the Peel River in the Yukon Territory.

The opportunities for outdoor recreation and sustainable tourism make this area a Kananaskis south, an economic and social asset to the region. I can think of no better centennial tribute than to designate the Castle wilderness as Andy Russell I’tai Sah Kòp wildland park. I’tai Sah Kòp references the name used for the area by the Piikani First Nation, who first called this wilderness area home. Andy Russell was an outstanding Albertan who embodies the spirit of Alberta’s heritage.

Just some of Andy’s accomplishments include being an Order of Canada recipient, the author of 13 books and dozens of magazine articles, and receiving three honorary doctorate of law degrees. Andy travelled extensively on horseback throughout the Rocky Mountains and the f oothills, b ecoming a wilderness advocate as he watched these special places begin to disappear through shortsighted industrial development. Our Premier spoke fondly of Andy’s contributions to Alberta at the memorial service for Andy this summer.

Alberta would benefit from remembering people like Andy Russell, respectin g the original First Nations inhabitants, and protecting more places like the Castle wilderness. I urge all members of the House to support the creation of the Andy Russell I’tai Sah Kòp wildland provincial park as a legacy for future Albertans to enjoy. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie. International Day for Tolerance Mr. Agnihotri: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, November 16, is International Day for Tolerance, a day to embrace our differences and to celebrate our diversity.

It’s a time for promoting understand- ing between people and for renewing our commitment to be proactive in combating intolerance, bigotry, and hatred. Together we live in a wonderful province filled with cultural, religious, and racial diversity. Today we should celebrate our diversity by denouncing racism, discrimination, hatred, and ignorance. By promoting tolerance, our society can successfully reach a new milestone on the path towards social peace and harmony.

Together we are capable of creating a society in which our children and grandchildren will be free from the injustices that are rooted in ignorance and fear. I urge each and every Albertan to take on this challenge, begin- ning at home. Teach your children to embrace diversity, to de- nounce ignorance, and to seek understanding. Even at work we can explore ways to promote tolerance: be courageous and vocally object to racial jokes, comments, and in sults. In doing so, we will tear down the walls of intolerance brick by brick. It is my firm belief that tolerance is the virtue that makes peace possible.

May this international day inspire each of us to open the channels of communication with the understanding that the future of our society, the future of all of humanity is at stake. Thank you very much. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Wetaskiwin-Camrose. 2:50 International Education Week Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. International education makes a significant contribution in preparing Albertans for partici- pating in the global economy. This week, November 14 to 18, is recognized as International Education Week by the province of Alberta and over 85 countries around the globe.

The Alberta government set a course for the province through the 20-year strategic plan, that focused on unleashing innovation, leading in learning, competing in the global marketplace, and making Alberta the best place to live, work, and visit. International education directly supports all four of these pillars, which are the keys to the province’s bright future. Increasingly, jurisdictions like Alberta and others around the world are recognizing the importance of international education and are developing and implementing a comprehensive series of plans, policies, and programs.

Recently Alberta Advanced Education revisited the province’s strategy for international education in the postsecondary sector, and as a result a new plan has been developed in consultation with the province’s postsecondary institutions. The ministry has identified a broad range of potential programs to achieve the outlined objectives and will implement these based on the availability of resources. Mr. Speaker, the province’s action plan demonstrates the prov- ince’s awareness and commitment to ensuring that Alberta will be internationally recognized as a leading provider of education and learning experiences.

It ensures that Albertans will be well prepared for their role in the global marketplace and as global citizens. More than ever before it is valuable to provide Albertans with international learning experiences, linking them to the world. Alberta companies are increasingly investing abroad, expanding their business activi- ties, increasing the employment of Albertans, and generating more benefits for our province now and in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. head: Presenting Petitions The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-McClung. Mr. Elsalhy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am submitting a petition which was initiated by a constituent from Edmonton-McClung and signed by a group of concerned Alberta parents from all over the

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051674 province asking the Legislative Assembly to urge the government to eliminate school fees charged for textbooks, locker rentals, field trips, physical fitness programs, and music classes. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore. Mr. Bonko: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have a petition that says: The undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the Government of Alberta to introduce legislation declaring a moratorium on . . . future expansion of Confined Feeding Operations, with a view to phasing out existing operations within the next three years. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning. Mr. Backs: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have a petition from a hundred Albertans from the Alberta communities of Conklin, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Alberta Beach, and Stony Plain, and it reads: We the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the Government of Alberta to prohibit the importation of temporary foreign workers to work on the construc- tion and/or maintenance of oil sands facilities and/or pipelines until the following groups have been accessed and/or trained: Unem- ployed Albertans and Canadians; Aboriginals; unemployed youth under 25; under-employed landed immigrants; and displaced farmers. head: Introduction of Bills The Speaker: The hon.

Solicitor General. Bill 49 Police Amendment Act, 2005 (No. 2) Mr. Cenaiko: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I request leave to introduce a bill being the Police Amendment Act, 2005 (No. 2). Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to provide first reading of Bill 49. The main purpose of the proposed legislation is to streamline and enhance the Law Enforcement Review Board’s effectiveness in how complaints are handled by police and how the police disciplinary process works. The proposed amendments also clarify the role and powers of the board to assess costs and pay expenses.

Thank you. [Motion carried; Bill 49 read a first time] head: Tabling Returns and Reports Mrs. McClellan: Mr. Speaker, I have two tablings. I’m pleased to table today five copies of a document showing the cost breakdown of the government brochure on the surplus. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the hon. Minister of Interna- tional and Intergovernmental Relations I am pleased to table the required number of copies of the response to Written Question 6 on the Order Paper. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr. Stevens: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of the Govern- ment House Leader it’s my pleasure to file the requisite number of copies of a memorandum to the Official Opposition House Leader and to the third party opposition House leader dealing with the subject of the supplementary supply

schedule for the fall of 2005. That, of course, is filed with th e Assembly this afternoon in the event that motions 22 and 23 receive favourable reply from the members. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Wetaskiwin-Camrose. Mr. Johnson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise on behalf of the Minister of Advanced Education to table the appropri- ate number of copies of an updated provincial action plan for international education initiatives.

This action plan demonstrates the province’s awareness and commitment to ensuring that Alberta will be internationally recognized as a leading provider of education and learning experiences and ensuring that Albertans will be well prepared for their role in the global marketplace and as global citizens. In addition, I am tabling copies of a new brochure to assist international students in choosing Alberta as an educational destination of choice. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Ms Blakeman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have four tablings today, all concerned with health care in Alberta.

The first is from Tena Wiebe, who writes with her concern about “building more hospitals and increasing bed capacity.” She has not heard of a commitment to staff and maintain these new facilities and is concerned that after having the buildings built, the government will say that we don’t have money to operate them and will sell them to private companies.

The second tabling is from Donald Sexauer, who writes of an experience he had with a relative in ER and wondering if the slashing that occurred to health care in the early ’90s “is now showing its ugly head” and is concerned as well about building more hospitals but without operational expenses. The final two are related to each other: a very thorough letter from Verna Pollack, writing to the Minister of Health and Wellness regarding the plea to expedite funding for Herceptin. She qualifies for the program but is waiting in line to get funding for it. This is an important program for women with breast cancer, Mr.

Speaker. The final tabling is a letter of support from Robert Pollack, who is the son of Verna Pollack, again with his concern that “it is alarming that a significant medicine such as Herceptin has been apparently placed on the other side of the two tiered Health Care fence.” Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-McClung. Mr. Elsalhy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am tabling the Federal Accountability Act, dubbed Stephen Harper’s commitment to Canadians to clean up government.

It contains wonderful ideas like ending the influence of money on politics, strengthening the Lobbyists Registration Act, making government appointments an all- party exercise, and whistle-blower protection. I urge all government members to study what their federal Tory cousins are trying to do so that one day they, too, can portray themselves as being pro transpar- ency and standing for openness and accountability. Thank you, sir. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie. Mr. Agnihotri: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have received numerous calls and letters in the past concerned about long waiting times for services at the Grey Nuns hospital in Edmonton. Another letter from

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1675 my constituent for tabling. She’s also concerned about long waiting times for emergency services in the Grey Nuns hospital. She had to wait four and a half hours when she was in severe pain in the stomach. She’s urging the government to give health care a top priority. 3:00 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Mountain View. Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On behalf of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society I want to table five copies of a proposed EnCana development in the Suffield national wildlife area that could set a precedent in disrupting a federally protected area. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Mr. MacDonald: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have one tabling today. It is a document that I acquired on Saturday, Novem- ber 5, when I was visiting the Artspace Housing Co-operative Ltd. at 9330 – 101A Avenue here in Edmonton. This brochure is an introduction to co-operative housing.

It explains how it works and who can qualify for membership in the co-op support system. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora. Dr. B. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have five letters and the appropriate number of copies from five persons in my constituency. They’re all members of a group called Falun Gong. They are protesting that there is not prosecution for hate literature that was disseminated against their group. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Dr. Pannu: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two tablings today.

The first one is a brochure titled The Third Way or the Third Hoax? It’s a comment on the Premier’s proposal for reform on medicare in Alberta, published and distributed by SALT, the Seniors’ Action and Liaison Team, a self-financed group of Edmonton seniors concerned about social justice issues in Alberta and Canada. The second one, Mr. Speaker, is appropriate copies of a letter sent t o a l l M L A s f r o m M r s . I r e n e P a y n e . M r s . P a y n e i s u r g i n g t h e minister of health to cancel their contract with Aon Consulting. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. head: Tablings to the Clerk The Clerk: I wish to advise the House that the following documents were deposited with the office of the Clerk. On behalf of the hon. Mrs. McClellan, Minister of Finance, and pursuant to the Govern- ment Accountability Act the government of Alberta 2004-05 annual report; Budget 2005 2005-06 quarterly budget report, Q1 fiscal update; and Budget 2005 2005-06 quarterly budget report, Q1 activity report. Pursuant to the Members of the Legislative Assembly Pension Plan Act Members of the Legislative Assembly pension plan annual report for the year ended March 31, 2005.

Pursuant to the Insurance Act the Alberta Automobile Insurance Rate Board annual report for the year ending December 31, 2004. Pursuant to the Securities Act the Alberta Securities Commission 2005 annual report and the ATB, Alberta Treasury Branches Financial, annual report 2005.

Pursuant to the Legislative Assembly Act and the Government Accountability Act and by the related ministers the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development annual report 2004-2005; Alberta Advanced Education annual report 2004-2005; Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development annual report 2004-2005; Alberta Children’s Services annual report 2004-2005; annual report of Alberta Community Development for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005; Alberta Economic Development 2004-05 annual report; Alberta Education annual report 2004-05; Alberta Ministry of Energy 2004-05 a nnual report; Ministry of Environment 2004-05 annual report; Executive Council a nnual report 2004-05; Alberta Finance annual report 2005; Alberta Gaming 2004-05 annual report; annual report of Alberta Government Services 2004-05; Alberta Ministry of Health and Wellness annual report 2004-05, sections 1 and 2; Human Resources and Employment ministry annual report 2004-05; Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation annual report 2004-05, Alberta Innovation and Science annual report 2004-05; Alberta International and Intergovernmental Relations annual report 2004-05; Alberta Justice annual report 2004-05; Alberta Municipal Affairs 2004-05 annual report; Restructuring and Government Efficiency annual report 2004-05; Alberta Seniors and Community Supports annual report 2004-05; Alberta Solicitor General annual report 2004-05; Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development annual report 2004-05.

On behalf of the hon. Mr. Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and pursuant to the Agriculture Financial Services Act the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation annual report 2004-2005. On behalf of Mr. Liepert, chair of the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee, Alberta heritage savings trust fund 2005 annual report and the Alberta heritage savings trust fund 2005-2006 first quarter update. On behalf of the hon. Mr. Klein, Premier, and pursuant to the Premier’s Council on Alberta’s Promise Act the Alberta’s Promise partners report 2004. And on behalf of the hon. Mr.

Stevens, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and pursuant to the Legal Profession Act the Alberta Law Foundation 32nd annual report 2005 and the Alberta Law Foundation audited financial statements and other financial information for the year ended March 31, 2005. Privilege Contempt of the Assembly The Speaker: Hon. members, yesterday in the Assembly we dealt with a point of privilege and contempt raised by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. I offered an opportunity for hon. members to deal with that matter. We did then conclude that submission by hon. members at that point. Then I recognized the hon.

Member for Edmonton-Highlands- Norwood, who proceeded on a question of privilege of the Legisla- tive Assembly, and at the same time I offered an opportunity for hon. members to participate should they wish. In the latter point there was made mention in the oral presentation of the Minister of Environment. The Minister of Environment was attending a funeral yesterday afternoon, so today I will offer him an opportunity to make comments with respect to this purported point. Mr. Boutilier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to members of the House.

Yesterday, as you rightly mentioned, I was attending a funeral, a First Nations funeral, in my constituency and was not here. However, I have since learned that in this Assembly yesterday members from the NDP have linked my name again to accusations about leaking the Auditor General’s report and the Ethics Commis- sioner’s reports.

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051676 First, on the matter of the Auditor General’s report, Mr. Speaker, I did not have a copy of this report, contrary to what was being alleged. I therefore did not, could not, and would not release it. I read about it and its contents in the Edmonton Journal on Thursday, October 13, and as a member of this Assembly I received the Auditor General’s finding when it was sent to all MLAs on October 17.

When it was released, this report cleared my name and my family name of any inappropriate action or behaviour in response to the accusations that were made by the New Democratic Party. It proved that they were both false and clearly irresponsible. I was pleased but not surprised by the Auditor General’s report findings. I have no knowledge of or any connection to its release. Let me be very perfectly clear here today. Contrary to the NDP allegations, Mr.

Speaker, I fully support the respect and the need for high standards when it comes to the handling of these types of reports, and I have always respected these standards in this House. Secondly, Mr. Speaker, after June, when allegations were made against me and my family, I requested the Ethics Commissioner to investigate the allegations that were made by the NDP. I made this request as a member of this Assembly in order to answer in an open, fair, and independent manner any final questions that could arise as a result of the entirely false accusations made against me and my family by the NDP. Mr.

Speaker, in light of the fact that I had requested this independ- ent review by the Ethics Commissioner, I was given an advance copy of this report and made reference to it on a radio program the day before. I had no reason to believe it was inappropriate to reference it as I had requested the report myself to clear my reputation and my family name, and it had been delivered to me in response to that request. 3:10 I’m afraid that this is just one more example of the NDP refusing to accept and acknowledge that th eir initial attacks on me and my family back in June were irresponsible, unfounded, and untrue.

They don’t like the fact that these two independent reports cleared my family name and me on the false charges that they made, so they now are attacking me on another front. Mr. Speaker, I have the utmost respect for this House and its members and its family members, who the members represent here. I will respect today the ruling that is made relative to this very, very important situation. I want it to be very clear, though, Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, that I would not act in any way that would undermine the rules of this Legislative Assembly.

I still await the members of the NDP to do the honourable thing: to apologize to my family. The Speaker: I take it that the hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly- Clareview wants to participate on this purported point of privilege? Mr. Martin: Well, Mr. Speaker, I wish he’d stay on the privilege motion instead of what he was talking about. If he wants a debate about this, let’s deal with the privilege. That’s not what he’s talking about. The Speaker: Any additional members want to make a presentation with respect to this purported point? Then I will take this informa- tion that’s been stated in the House.

I understand as well that the Auditor General appeared before the Public Accounts Committee this morning, and I haven’t had a chance to review the Blues with respect to that. We will review wh at has been stated in the House with respect to these two matters and report back to the House. I’m not so sure that we’ll be able to do it tomorrow, but Monday at the latest. head: Orders of the Day head: Transmittal of Estimates Mrs. McClellan: Mr. Speaker, I have received a certain message from His Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor, which I now transmit to you. The Sergeant-at-Arms: Order!

The Speaker: Hon. members, the Lieutenant Governor transmits supplementary estimates of certain sums required for the service of the province for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2006, and recom- mends the same to the Legislative Assembly. Please be seated. Mrs. McClellan: Mr. Speaker, prior to moving a number of motions relevant to the supply estimates, I wish to advise that I provided the government’s 2005-06 quarterly budget report for the second quarter to all MLAs this morning. At the same time I also made this report public as required by

section 9 of the Government Accountability Act. Mr. Speaker, I now wish to table the 2005-06 s upplementary estimates. These supplementary estimates will provide additional spending authority to 13 departments of government. When passed, these estimates will authorize increases of $1,531,247,000 in voted expense and equipment/inventory purchases, $234,150,000 in voted capital investment, and $5 million in lottery fund payments. Mr. Speaker, I will now table the quarterly budget report for the second quarter pursuant to

section 9 of the Government Accountabil- ity Act. This amended fiscal plan is also required by

section 8 of the Government Accountability Act when a second set of estimates is tabled. I’m also tabling the second-quarter activity report describing the major achievements of our government during that period. Likewise, I am tabling the second-quarter update for the Alberta heritage savings trust fund. head: Government Motions 22. Mrs. McClellan moved:

Be it resolved that the message from His Honour the Honour- able the Lieutenant Governor, the 2005-06 supplementary estimates for the general revenue fund and lottery fund, and all matters connected therewith be referred to Committee of Supply. Mr. Mason: This is a debatable motion, is it, Mr. Speaker? The Speaker: Yes, it is. Mr. Mason: And the time allotment is 10 minutes per member? The Speaker: Twenty. Mr. Mason: Twenty? Well, I don’t think I’ll need all of that, Mr.

Speaker, but I will address this question because I think that there has been a very important question that has been raised by the government’s actions and certain comments that have been made by the Premier with respect to the role of this Legislative Assembly in overseeing government expenditures. The role of parliaments and Legislatures in controlling the public purse and holding governments accountable for their expenditures goes back hundreds of years in the British parliamentary tradition, and it forms part of the democratic nature of our society for which

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1677 our veterans fought in the Second World War. It’s not the entire democratic system, but it’s an important part of the democratic system. For the Premier to be unaware of the Legislature’s primary role in overseeing government expenditures, whether they come from taxes or whether they come from royalties or whether they come from gambling or cigarettes or wherever they may come from, is appalling to me.

That the Premier would make statements to the effect that the surpluses are not within the purview of the Legisla- ture, or not within the purview of the opposition, I think he said, by extension means not within the purview of the Legislature and by further extension means not within the purview of public discussion at all. This government’s imperial approach to spending and budgeting is getting more and more troublesome, Mr.

Speaker, so much so that I said today, and I’ll say again, that when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money in this province, democracy is on life support, and it’s all the opposition can do to keep the Premier from pulling the plug altogether. I think the tremendous financial resources that are now flowing to the province require very, very strong and systematic debate. I heard the Deputy Premier and Provincial Treasurer say today that of course everything is going to be debated in the Legislature.

It was clear that she was doing damage control, ably so, I think, on the Premier’s comments, but the fact of the matter is that it is just damage control. Why would the government, after a brief caucus meeting and a cabinet retreat, promise each Albertan a $400 rebate without any reference to this Legislature if they really believed in legislative authority? 3:20 They may say: well, it’s all got to be approved before the cheques are cut. Mr. Speaker, they have already spent a great deal of money preparing glossy brochures that advise Albertans that they’re entitled to this money.

They have done a great deal to communicate a decision that has not yet officially been taken by the Legislature, and that shows, in my view, contempt for the role of this Legislature and an arrogance in their spending that I find unacceptable altogether. Now, democracy is one thing. Another thing, Mr. Speaker, is vision. There’s no vision here.

If we look back over the history of governments in this province, we see that previous governments, even Progressive Conservative governments, have had more vision and more sense about what needs to happen in the province econom- ically and financially than this government has. Under the Lougheed government the attitude was that the resource revenues that we have are a windfall on a nonrenewable, declining natural resource and that the value that came from them, the money that flowed from them was just as much the right of a future generation as this generation. That is lost on this government.

It seems to me, fundamentally, that the government has to have a vision for this province’s prosperity once the conventional oil and gas revenues are gone and once even the tar sands resources or the nonconventional natural gas is gone. I know that many people opposite don’t even think that we’ll ever get to the point where we’ll be out of nonconventional resources, but I can assure them that that day will come. [Mr.

Shariff in the chair] It’s very important, in our view, that the extra windfall bonus that the government is now receiving from oil and gas revenues because of high prices be invested to ensure that Alberta remains an energy leader into the future once the oil and gas is gone. We’ve put forward a proposal to create an entity that would essentially be a new energy company and would invest in conservation and in alternative forms of energy and maintain Alberta’s position as the energy leader in Canada even when the petroleum and the carbon- based energy resources are more or less depleted.

This money could be used to invest not just in Alberta but right across Canada in order to create energy security going into the future for the post hydrocar- bon energy ec onomy, and that way we would retain control and ownership of the resources and the wealth that comes from them. We would insulate ourselves from any attempts by other places in Canada to take our wealth, and we would also invest it for the future of Albertans and for the future of Canadians as well. The government doesn’t have a vision, Mr.

Speaker, and what is going to happen is that when the oil and gas is gone, all that is going to be left for people in this province are cutlines, empty holes, dried up farms, and ghost towns because the government is not preparing this province for the time when the oil and gas is, in fact, gone. I think it’s clear that we need a bigger vision, a broader vision of the economic prosperity. The money that the government is spending now doesn’t just belong to this generation; it belongs to the next generation and the generation after.

It needs to be invested in a way so as to preserve the quality of life and the economy that we enjoy in Alberta today. The other point that I want to make is that the government has no long-term financial plan. Again, the Provincial Treasurer goes to great lengths to deny that and to argue that they do have a long-term plan, but it’s interesting that this long-term plan changes dramati- cally from month to month. It wasn’t long ago that the Provincial Treasurer was saying that she didn’t support rebates to Albertans, but, after a caucus retreat, all of a sudden that was the government’s policy.

The government had said that tax reduction was low on Albertans’ priorities, and that wasn’t very long ago. Now they’re saying that tax reduction is on the agenda. So it’s clear, Mr. Speaker, that this government is in fact changing its so-called long- term economic plan, or long-term financial plan, almost from week to week. That says to me, in fact, that there is no plan. The Treasurer also spoke this morning a little bit about smart spending. That is a code word, but what does it really mean? My hon. colleague says: jumbo shrimp.

Some spending could be smart, but I know that one of the mistakes of the Lougheed era was investment in capital, in bricks and mortar, without ensuring the long-term financial capacity to operate all of the facilities that were built.

I’ve travelled the province, and I’ve seen hospitals that were built in the Lougheed era, the dark brick that was characteristic of that time, and these hospitals in little towns in Alberta are boarded up – they actually have plywood on the windows in pl aces like Empress, Alberta – because they’ve been closed because they were ill-advised capital projects or the government was unable to sustain the operating costs that were necessary to keep them going. Politicians really like to invest in new buildings and things that are under construction, but if it was to be smart spending, Mr.

Speaker, then the government would have to put in place a plan that would show that the operating budgets to sustain those things into the long- term future were in place and would also have to show that, in fact, they have training programs and educational programs in order to make sure that there is an adequate supply of professionals and other workers to operate them going forward instead of having shortages of nurses, when 10 or 15 years ago we were sending nurses to the United States because we were laying them off in droves.

It’s that kind of yo-yo economic planning that makes it very difficult to ensure sustainability. Without an adequate operational plan for new capital expenditures, it’s not smart spending – it’s dumb spending – and we haven’t seen that yet from the Provincial Treasurer. So in respect of those three points, Mr. Speaker – the govern-

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051678 ment’s contempt of democracy and contempt of the Legislature when it comes to expenditures and the Legislature’s oversight of government expenditures, the lack of a long-term economic vision for this province that ensures that future generations have the same standard of living that we enjoy today, and the lack of a long-term financial plan that doesn’t change from week to week and from caucus to caucus – I cannot support the motion that’s been made by the government, and I would ask all hon. members to join me in voting against it. The Acting Speaker: The hon.

Member for Edmonton-Gold Bar. Mr. MacDonald: Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise to participate in the debate this afternoon on Government Motion 22 as presented by the hon. Minister of Finance. Certainly, when we look at the 13 departments that are eventually going to get more money, this is a substantial increase from the budget that it seems like we passed just last week.

Incredibly, an entire summer and most of the fall have gone by since we finalized the provincial budget, but this habitual amount that we are now going to debate – and I am grateful for the opportunity to debate this motion and also have a good discussion on further government expenditures. 3:30 There are conflicting messages with the government. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood certainly has every right to question some of the spending habits of this government. Without a doubt. We hear all the time the comment: where is the money going? We heard in question period today, Mr.

Speaker, that public health care expenditures are unsustainable, that they’re going up and up and up, and they’re going to be as high as $10 billion. Well, maybe we should look at how we’re managing this money. An Hon. Member: We’re trying to. Mr. MacDonald: Well, people say that we’re trying to, but we don’t have an opportunity in this Legislative Assembly, Mr. Speaker, to see where the money that we previously spent has gone.

It is amazing to think that in the last two fiscal years the Public Accounts Committee has not had an opportunity to scrutinize the spending of many different government departments that have spent billions and billions of dollars. So there is the entire issue of the government and its accountabil- ity. Money is quite easy to acquire in Alberta at this time because of high North American prices for natural gas and high prices for crude oil on the international markets. These prices are determined by matters that are totally outside the control of this government, and that is something that we must recognize.

I would encourage this government to further increase our savings. There have been some very modest efforts being made here. In fact, Mr. Speaker, how fast is this budget process for this government? Well, in this piece of information that was put out we’re looking at a photograph here, and it’s the steady hands on the reins. We should have confidence in the stewardship; that’s the image that’s trying to be portrayed here.

That indicates to me that we’re going nowhere because if we were really riding that horse and directing that horse, the hands wouldn’t be resting on the saddle horn and the reins wouldn’t be as loose as they are. This brochure is a lot like the government’s budgeting practices; it’s about public rela- tions. This may look fine from the public relations perspective, but one only has to go inside this brochure, or this propaganda. We hear all the time about the smart spending, saving, and giving back.

Well, I would certainly encourage you to save a good portion of this extra funding that we have, whether it’s in the heritage savings trust fund or any of your endowments. Some of those funds actually were ideas that originated on this side of the House and were gradually adopted by this government. I think I have to encourage the government even more to spend their money. Don’t spend it all at once. To say that this plan is smart – the hon.

Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood was talking about smart spending – well, it certainly is not smart spending to in one decade blow up a good, sound public hospital and then 10 years later think that everyone should just be so grateful because you’re going to construct some new hospitals where, granted, they are needed. An Hon. Member: Two in Sherwood Park. Mr.

MacDonald: Well, there is a hospital going to be built in Sherwood Park, and there’s going to be one built in Fort Saskatche- wan, but I would remind all hon. members of this Assembly that there’s going to be significant population growth in both those centres. At some point in the fu ture, if I was working out in Fort Saskatchewan or near Fort Saskatchewan and I was injured at work, I would be grateful that there’s a hospital handy. An Hon. Member: And a choice. Mr. MacDonald: Well, I don’t want a choice.

I just want a good, sound public hospital, and I want to know that there are going to be trained professionals there in the event that I do get injured or someone else gets injured. So I’m not necessarily opposed to the construction of these hospitals in needed places, but I find it quite ironic that they can describe themselves as smart spenders when in one decade you want to blow up a perfectly good public hospital and then: ho, hey, we’re heroes because we are now going to construct hospitals. Now, another item in this document that caught my eye was the government’s pledge.

I’m going to call it a pledge, and I’m going to keep them to it. Hopefully, they’re going to increase it even further. I’m pleased to see that they’ve done this, but the govern- ment is putting $226 million from the surplus into the fund – and this is the heritage savings trust fund – to ensure that the fund grows at least as fast as the rate of inflation. Well, I’m pleased to see that this has caught the attention of the Minister of Finance because to date it has not been done.

If we had been inflation-proofing the heritage savings trust fund, today’s value would be in excess of $19 billion – $19 billion – not $12 billion. I see in the quarterly budget report that there has been an increase in the amount that’s being set aside to inflation-proof the heritage savings trust fund. My information indicates that to date this year in Canada the consumer price index is in the range of 3.3 to 3.5 per cent, but that amount that is indicated here, Mr. Speaker, I don’t think even brings that up to cover the consumer price index for this respective year.

I would like to see the government recognize that we are in a unique and unusual position in this jurisdiction in North America in that we can build a society and we can build a province that’s the envy not only of the entire North American continent but of the world. When we have this sort of budgeting process that, to say the least, does not in this member’s view provide very good stewardship of the tax dollars, it does not increase my confidence in this govern- ment’s ability to manage. Now, I know that we went through many different budget debates in this Assembly in the spring, but I had no idea, Mr.

Speaker – the debt had supposedly been paid off. There were estimates that the

November 16, 2005 Alberta Hansard 1679 infrastructure debt was 3 and a half billion dollars. That was to improve our roads and our bridges, fix up our existing hospitals, fix up the existing schools, not arbitrarily forcing public school boards to close good, sound schools before they could get money to build new ones.

We had no idea that the infrastructure debt was over $7 billion until – and I don’t know; I could be in all kinds of tr ouble here with some sort of point of privilege against me – the leaked document that came from the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, that became public knowledge here in I think it was June, in regard to the possibility of having to borrow money to pay for this infrastructure debt. None of this information came up during public debate over the budget this spring. Mr. Mason: It’s called smart borrowing. Mr.

MacDonald: This idea of smart borrowing: I believe the interest rate was going to be 4 and three-quarters per cent. There was talk that maybe we’d even have to change the Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act to allow this leadership hopeful to borrow money to build roads and bridges and fix the province up really nice, but that plan apparently is no longer needed. The fact remains that the total infrastructure debt that we are go ing to have to deal with in this province has doubled. 3:40 The hon. Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation confirmed that in that report. I was just glad it was made public.

I don’t have the opportunity to attend a lot of those standing policy committee meetings except behind that braided rope, and the only thing I can say about that braided rope in room 512 is that at least it’s red, you know. I’m not allowed to participate in the proceedings of that committee. But it is a good thing, and I am grateful, no matter how we get that information, to receive it. When you receive that information and you look at what was proposed by the hon. minister, we really need to improve our budgeting process.

The fact that we were going to have this complete 180-degree reversal of public policy by this government and borrow money was certainly, to say the least, astonishing. Now, Mr. Speaker, there are significant increases in the amounts of money that have been collected in this fiscal update. We’re certainly spending significant amounts additionally, but one thing that I would like to note for all hon. members of this Assembly is something that I find quite interesting. Perhaps the minister could clarify this for all members of the Assembly.

In the second-quarter fiscal update the nonrenewable resource revenue that we’re looking at here – the budget for the second quarter had indicated that for synthetic crude oil and bitumen royalty there would be roughly about $400 million collected. But so far the forecast is for in excess of $1 billion. The main reason for the change from the budget, as indicated, is higher oil prices, which is significant. Hopefully, in the debate we’re going to get a clarification on whether this is revenue from synthetic crude oil or from bitumen.

We all know the problem that a lot of bitumen producers are having and this notion that everyone is getting close to $60 Ameri- can a barrel for their product, when I’m sure the hon. minister knows that not to be true. Can we get a breakdown on that? How much of that is from synthetic crude, and how much is from bitumen? Have there been any major developments in the north that have now gone from paying 1 per cent royalty to 25 per cent royalty for their synthetic crude oil production? If there have been any major producers, who are they?

I think the public would be very interested to know that, and if the hon. minister or some other member of Executive Council could provide that information during the course of debate, I would be very grateful. Now, we’re taking in a lot of money here. There’s no doubt about that. Some of the expenses here – and the hon. member earlier was talking about the Second World War and . . . [Mr. MacDonald’s speaking time expired] Oh, dear, my time is up. Thank you. The Acting Speaker: Anybody else wish to participate in the debate? The hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner. Mr. Hinman: Thank you.

I’d also like to speak to the motion. As mentioned by the two previous speakers: very concerned that so quickly we’re having this motion come before the House because of the income. I guess I’d like to refer to a few things. We continue to hear from the government that we have one of the lowest tax regimes, so that’s good enough. They always talk about value added, and they’ve given lots of incentives in the Fort McMurray area, but they failed to carry those on.

One of the big concerns of the people of Alberta that I’ve spoken to this last summer is that it doesn’t seem like there’s a possibility of getting the money to where they need it. It’s who you know. The programs are very difficult for people to make application, and it’s frustrating to them.

A few of the comments I’d like to address with the motion are that earlier this summer when I was up in Grande Prairie, they talked about the fair share program in British Columbia and how those revenues are being distributed to the municipal governments there in order to do their own infrastructure work and not be microman- aged on every aspect, whether it’s potholes, tertiary water treatment, or what have you. They’re very concerned with the conditional funding that is going out and the struggle that the different areas are having in addressing that.

I would very much hope that as we get to debate these s upplies, we can change the stability of the programs that become long term. I’ve had the opportunity of being in Olongapo, Philippines, when an anti-aircraft ship comes in with 6,000 sailors that hit the beach and think that they’ve only got three days to spend their money. It seems that that’s very much the attitude here, that we’ve only got six months. Let’s get it spent quickly before someone else tries to get it. It doesn’t matter about value for our dollar; it’s the speed at which we can spend it because it’s going to be gone anyway.

I’d very much like to see those things going into a savings program and then a five-year plan, or possibly longer, on infrastructure spending being presented. One particular area in my riding has had a bid of $1.1 million for some infrastructure work that they want to do and are not able to get the funding. Now that’s jumped up to $2.1 million because of the huge demand and the short span that these builders are looking at. Many of them seem like they’re putting in bids realizing that this is a one-shot program. We’ve got six months, one year, and we’ve got to pay for everything in that time.

So I’m very concerned that they don’t really have a five-year program saying that this much money is going to go out. Construction workers and other ones can look at it realizing that we don’t have to get it all in six months, that this is coming over a longer time. I also very much like the fact that Albertans for years have said: yes, we want the deficit paid off. We’ve done that, but the second thing they’ve always said was that we deserve a tax break when we got that. This is the ideal time, when the economy is booming, to give tax breaks. They say that they want to be more efficient and downsize.

They had a great opportunity here to eliminate the health care premiums for every working Albertan and to have moved the bureaucracy involved in trying to do that collection and the paper-

Alberta Hansard November 16, 20051680 work there over for their thousand extra people that they needed. It would be very beneficial, I feel, to the province on a long-term plan if they were to have a formula where they would say that a certain percentage of the surplus every year would go back to taxpayers in the form of property assessment rebates. Those taxes are paid for, the rolls are there, we know the numbers, and it would be a very simple formula. It wouldn’t take a lot of bureaucracy to set it up and spend $10 million in order to redistribute the money.

Plus that would actually be a tax refund, and there would be no question federally on whether or not it was a rebate. An Hon. Member: What about the renters? Mr. Hinman: They’ll have the opportunity. It goes into the market. Anyway, tax deductions are what we need in the province. We need to raise the basic tax exemption to at least $20,000 or $24,000. We have the ability here in the province, and that would help them. Mrs. McClellan: The federal government is $8,000. Mr. Hinman: So we want to follow their example? How appalling.

They’re hypocrites to say that they’re worrying about low-income people and taxing them at $8,000. We have the ability here, and it would be of great benefit to those low-income people, more so than raising the minimum wage. An Hon. Member: A leadership speech. Mr. Hinman: Leadership. That’s already over. It’s in the mail. An Hon. Member: Do you have your caucus’ support? Mr. Hinman: Yes. The Acting Speaker: Hon. members, the hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner has the floor. Mr. Hinman: Thank you.

The point is that we need to take those good programs that we have and the incentives that we’ve brought in – industry to develop the bitumen and the capital investment that’s coming here. We could do it in many other areas. We could be doing it in health care. We could be doing it in research in our universities. It would just be very pleasing to the people of Alberta to see investment incentives come into this province, anywhere from a small family business to the huge tar sands in Fort McMurray.

Anyway, I look forward to the debate on this surplus, and I hope that we’ll have prudence and not think that we have to have it all spent in the next six months. It’s very worrisome that we’re going to be like a lottery winner, and in a year we’ll be back wondering how we make ends meet. 3:50 The Acting Speaker: Hon. members, Standing Order 29(2)(

a) kicks in. Any questions for the hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner? The hon. Member for Edmonton-Castle Downs. Mr. Lukaszuk: Thank you. The hon. member just indicated that he would refund the dollars to Albertans by way of a property tax refund. How would he address those who don’t own property and rent? Does the member not think that all Albertans deserve the benefit of the revenue that the province is realizing? What about those who can’t afford to buy a property and have to rent? Mr. Hinman: Excellent question. I appreciate the opportunity to get up and answer the question.

The thing that we need to look at first in order for things to go forward, to make an economy boom is the tax level. It’s critical. It’s the barnacles on the ship or the ball and chain. There are many programs that we could have for incentives to help out Albertans in property ownership, but if, in fact, they knew that incentive was there, that would be the benefit. It’s an open market for renting, and if people are getting their rebate back as property owners, it only makes sense that they can then compete and that it would adjust the rental accordingly.

The important thing is that it’s the people who have paid the tax that should get the ref und first, and that would help to boost the economy. To just give out money randomly doesn’t make sense when you’ve taxed so heavily in so many areas. In order to help people buy a house, what we could do with the surplus is set up a deposit in the Alberta Treasury Branch or the credit unions and put it in for a 10- or 15- or, ideally, 20-year deposit.

Then those institutions could turn around, using good loan policies, and loan that out, and we could have 20-year mortgages on property instead of one- and two-year open-ended mortgages, which is going to be a disaster for our economy when interest rates rise and people are caught without locked-in mortgages. It was standard practice back in the ’60s and ’70s to have 20-year mortgages that were locked in. The Acting Speaker: Hon. member, this session is supposed to be brief questions, brief answers. We only have five minutes for this portion. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood. Mr.

Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I enjoyed the hon. member’s speech and so on. I’d like to ask him, as a representative of another conservative party in this Legislature, whether or not he believes that the current spending habits of this government represent true-blue, small “c” conservatism? Mr. Hinman: A brief answer. No, this isn’t conservative spending. This is drunken sailors, only they’re not spending their own money; they’re spending someone else’s. The Acting Speaker: Any other questions? Does anybody else wish to participate in the debate? The hon. Minister of Finance to close debate. Mrs.

McClellan: Well, Mr. Speaker, really the debate was to be around the motion for consideration of the supplementary estimates, so I’m not going to get into a lot of the discussions. I did make very good notes, and there’ll be great opportunity through the debate of the supplementary estimates and again under Bill 43 to answer some of them. I want to wish the Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner the best of luck this weekend. I think it would be great. Member for

Document details

Collection	Alberta — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20051116
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	L26 S1 20051116 1330 01 han.pdf
Language	en
Format	json
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	4610c66ca0a5fe09286247c3510a7659c8bd0ae5

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