May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1637 Legislative Assembly of Alberta Title: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 1:30 p.m. Date: 06/05/17 [The Speaker in the chair] head: Prayers The Speaker: Good afternoon. Let us pray. We confidently ask for strength and encouragement in our service to others. We ask for wisdom to guide us in making good laws and good decisions for the present and the future of Alberta. Amen. Please be seated. head: Introduction of Guests The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Mr. Horner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s a pleasure for me to rise this afternoon and introduce to you and through you to all members of the House 105 visitors from Spruce Grove, from the Greystone Centennial middle school. I had the opportunity to visit with them a little bit in the rotunda at noon today, and this really is the future of our province. They are accompanied by teachers Mr. L onnie Granley, Mrs. Shireen Mohammed, Mrs. Lila Befus, Mrs. Tracy Lachman, Miss Robyn Currie, and parent helpers Mrs. Colleen Wallace, Mrs. Sandra Christiansen, Mrs. Susan Cherkas, Mrs. Pearl Young, and Mrs. Lauri MacKinnon. I believe they are in both galleries.

I would ask that they rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: Hon. the Premier, did you have an introduction? Mr. Klein: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I would like to introduce Ryan Wells, who’s here today with his two sons, Dylan and Eric Wells, and his uncle Wahab Ali. Ryan is an oil field supervisor, and his sons attend school in their hometown of Drayton Valley. Ryan’s wife bid and won a lunch for four with me through the 10th annual Western Mardi Gras, an auction put on by the Chrysalis foundation.

Now, the foundation’s auction raises funds in support of persons with disabilities and helps improve their lives in many ways. The Chrysalis foundation is a cause that’s near and dear to Ryan, his sons, and especially his Uncle Wahab, whose daughter was born with a disability. I had the pleasure of enjoying lunch with the group of four this afternoon, which was once again a gourmet meal of sandwiches. Some Hon. Members: Egg salad. Mr. Klein: Egg salad, yes. It was a special treat to talk with Ryan’s sons, who at ages 11 and 12 are already like their father and uncle very community-minded Albertans.

They are seated in the members’ gallery, and I would ask the Assembly to please join me in giving them the warm welcome of the Legislature. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Banff-Cochrane. Mrs. Tarchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce a very special group called the CCAF, who are sitting in the Speaker’s gallery this afternoon. They are participants in a nine-month international fellowship program based in Ottawa and are visiting us today as part of a western Canadian tour.

The fellowship program is a collaboration between the office of the Auditor General of Canada, the Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation, and the Auditor General of Quebec. The program is sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency and is designed to expand knowledge and understanding of public-sector accounting and auditing as practised in Canada and help fellows address auditing issues in their home environment. With us today is Mrs. Pauline Kane Fortune from Cameroon, Mr. José Alpizar Fallas from Costa Rica, Ms Grace Mugyabuso from Tanzania, Mr. James Ryoba from Tanzania, Mrs.

Sirin Phankasem from Thailand, Mr. David Sohinto from Benin, Mr. Benoît Azodji- lande from Benin. They are accompanied today by their hosts Ms Donna Bigelow, program co-ordinator of international affairs at the office of the Auditor General of Canada; Mrs. Antonine Campbell, principal of international relations at the office of the Auditor General of Canada; Mrs. Caroline Jorgensen, manager for interna- tional business at the CCAF in Ottawa; and Ms Lori Trudgeon, communications co-ordinator with the office of the Auditor General of Alberta. Mr.

Speaker, as I mentioned, they are seated in the Speaker’s gallery, and I would like to ask them to rise and receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora. Dr. B. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to introduce to you and through you to the members of the House the mother of one of our pages. Stacy Schell is the page. She’s right over here. Apparently, she sprained her ankle, so we’re happy to see her in the procession walking. It’s rough work being a page.

We’re happy that Stacy’s mother is here in the House, so it gives me great pleasure to introduce her, Jody Schell. She is in your gallery, Mr. Speaker, and I invite her to stand and receive the warm welcome of this House. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. Mr. Martin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two introductions today. First of all, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and members of the Assembly some 20 active seniors from Beacon Heights seniors’ club, led by their leader Mrs. Vickie Drewoth. I’ve been over there a couple times, and they are active.

They wanted me to play bingo with them, but I watched a couple games where they were covering eight or nine cards. I wouldn’t have kept up with the one, so I wisely declined. They are in the members’ gallery. I’d ask them to stand and receive the warm welcome of the Assembly. My second introduction. I’m also very pleased today to introduce to you and through you to this Assembly Janet MacNeil. She is also the mother of one of our hard-working pages, Desirée MacNeil.

Janet worked for the Multiple Sclerosis Society for eight years as a presenter for the MS readathon, educating and informing students about MS in schools around the city. In the process of changing careers, she continues to help with the MS Society. Janet is also a creative and dedicated mother to her four children. Janet is seated in the Speaker’s gallery. I now ask that she rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford. Mr. R. Miller: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have two sets of introductions this afternoon.

The first is a duo of constituents from Edmonton-Rutherford, Scott Reith and his father, Bruce Reith. Scott is a 14-year-old who has a ve ry keen interest in politics. He

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061638 has visited the Parliament buildings in Ottawa and wanted a chance to experience a question period in our Legislature. He tells me that someday he wants to be Prime Minister. We had an opportunity to have a brief visit outside before the proceedings today, and his father, Bruce, informed me that he was once a page in this Legisla- ture, in 1979. I would ask them to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. My second set of introductions, Mr. Speaker, three staff members from the Alberta Liberal caucus.

I would like to introduce Jill Roszell, who is our outreach co-ordinator. She comes to us from the arts community and has done a bang-up job, if I may say so, this spring. Christel Hyshka is a caucus STEP student for the summer and previously worked in the office of the Member for Edmonton- McClung as a STEP student. She just completed a degree in political science and I understand will be beginning her master’s work this fall. The third would be Kelly FitzGibbon, who is an administrative assistant extraordinaire.

I can attest to that because at the last minute I had her prepare tablings for me this afternoon with very short notice, and it was a lot of work. So I would ask them to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of the Assembly. 1:40 The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning. Mr. Backs: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m honoured today to rise and introduce to you and through you to all members of this Assembly Anna-May Choles.

Anna-May is a proud Edmontonian and is planning to enter her third year of honours in political science at the University of Alberta and will be providing her valuable assistance to the constituency office of Edmonton-Manning this summer. Please rise, Anna-May, and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner. Mr. Hinman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also have two. I’m honoured today to introduce to you and through you to the members of this Assembly three guests who have already travelled over six hours to be here today.

My guests are concerned citizens from the Clear Hills area and are here today to hopefully get some direction on how they can protect their community and their quality of life. They feel that confined hog feeding operations could have a detrimental impact on the future development of the region. I would ask my guests Terrie Wayland, Becky Montpellier, and Lee Svederus to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I’m also privileged to introduce to you and through you to the members of this Assembly three guests who are visiting here from the Eureka River area.

They have also travelled over six hours to be here. My guests Linda Basnett, Dave Larsen, and Herb Bean have come to the Legislature to promote responsible animal husbandry and land stewardship as they relate to confined hog feeding operations. They feel that this could have a negative and divisive impact on their community. I’d ask my distinguished guests to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Calder. Mr. Eggen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’m very delighted today to introduce to you and through you to members of the Assembly Ms Glynis Dorey. Ms Dorey is a member of the Strathcona composite high school parent council. She’s a graduate of the computing science program at the U of A and holds a master of political economy from the London School of Economics. Glynis is here today about her concerns regarding insufficient heating and infra- structure problems at Strathcona high school. I’m very pleased to have Ms Dorey join us here today, and I would please ask her to rise and receive the warm traditional welcome of the Assembly.

The Speaker: Are there others? The hon. Member for Edmonton- Centre. Ms Blakeman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m just delighted today to introduce to you and through you to all members of the Assembly Sarah Crummy. Sarah has been volunteering in my constituency office of Edmonton-Centre all year and is now going to continue her work with us over the summer as our summer student. She has graduated with her degree in political science, and we’re very honoured to have her join us and bring her perspective to our office.

I would ask her to please rise and receive the warm and traditional welcome of the House. head: Oral Question Period The Speaker: First Official Opposition main question. The hon. Member for Calgary-Currie. Confidentiality of Ministerial Briefing Notes Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. More than a decade ago the Premier introduced a bill that was aimed at making the government more open and accountable to Albertans.

The Premier intended to give the people of this province real power to see into the workings of government, stating, and I quote, that there is a public expectation that we must be more transparent; what you see is what you get, end quote. Now, upon his departure, the Premier is pushing legislation that effectively states to taxpayers: you can’t see, and you can’t get. To the Premier: given that in question period yesterday the Premier waved his briefing binder for the public to see, why now can they not get? Mr. Klein: Well, I’ll wave it again, and you aren’t getting it. You are not getting it.

It contains advice to the ministers. You can wait five years. Some of that advice the opposition w ill use for sure. This individual will use it for sure to interpret this as government policy when, in fact, it has not become policy. Some of it may become legislation; some of it may become policy. But this is fundamentally advice to the minister to answer questions, and we have no idea where they’re coming from. No idea where they’re coming from. But these are anticipated answers to questions.

You know, they go to great lengths – that is, the members of the adminis- tration – to provide intelligent answers to what sometimes are very stupid questions. Mr. Taylor: Mr. Speaker, there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers. Is it still the Premier’s position that there exists a public expecta- tion for greater government transparency in the province of Alberta? Mr. Klein: Well, Mr. Speaker, it’s amazing when he talks about transparency. I had a conversation with a gentleman just a few days ago.

He was a supporter, as many Albertans are, and he said that this is one of the most transparent governments he has ever encoun- tered.

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1639 Transparency goes far beyond what’s in briefing books. It involves attending media scrums almost on a daily basis. I know that the Leader of the Opposition is usually at those media scrums not to participate but to find out what I say so they can use it in question period the next day. Relative to transparency we use the website, we use communications as much as we possibly can. All of our ministers are accessible and open and acc ountable to the public through the media. So this is a very accessible and transpar- ent government. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr.

Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, the Leader of the Opposition usually takes the podium after the Premier leaves the room. Given the Premier’s apparent – to me, anyway – total flip-flop on transparency and accountability, what has happened under the Premier’s watch that is so bad that it needs to be concealed? Mr. Klein: Nothing needs to be concealed. This is totally consistent with the freedom of information and protection of privacy legisla- tion. The information contained in this briefing book is already privileged and is already protected. Bill 20 simply takes it out for an extended period of time.

After five years they can have it. They can have it then, not now and not to use for purely political purposes. The Speaker: Second Official Opposition main question. The hon. Member for Calgary-Currie. Gasoline Taxes Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, I’ve already had it. Mr. Speaker, it comes as no surprise to motorists that as this long weekend approaches, gas prices begin to soar at the pumps again. While this government collects millions of dollars in extra revenue, our drivers continue to get hit with high provincial fuel taxes.

This doesn’t just affect Albertans hitting the highways for the long weekend. This is thousands of Albertans running small businesses dependent on vehicle fleets. To the Premier: given that for every dollar increase in the price of a barrel of oil the Alberta government reaps more than a hundred million dollars in extra revenue, why won’t this government consider reducing the gasoline tax so that ordinary Albertans can benefit from soaring resource revenues? Mr. Klein: Mr. Speaker, our tax on gasoline is already the lowest in Canada. It is a flat tax; it doesn’t rise and fall with the price of gasoline.

Basically, the producers are responsible for setting the price of gasoline. We have a tax, which, as I say, is the lowest in Canada, plus we rebate 5 cents a litre off gasoline back to municipal- ities. So I think that our policies relative to gasoline and the sale of gasoline, notwithstanding the revenues we reap from the oil industry through royalties, are very reasonable indeed. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Given that a two and a half dollar a barrel increase in the price of oil would cover any revenue that this province would lose fr om cutting the gasoline tax, why won’t this government consider reducing the tax to 5 cents a litre so that municipalities continue to benefit, and now so do drivers as well? 1:50 Mr. Klein: Mr. Speaker, we use the tax on gasoline to build roads and other needed infrastructure. If the hon. member is w illing to forgo these very essential infrastructure projects, then I invite him to stand up and say so. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Then, to the Minister of Economic Development: what assessments, if any, has his depart- ment done to determine the effects of high gasoline prices on small Alberta businesses? The Speaker: The hon. acting minister. Mr. Horner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, the department has done a lot of work on the feasibility of doing business across a number of different areas in North America. Quite recently there have been a number of reports that have come out that would indicate that Alberta is one of the best places to do business in all of North America.

In fact, we rank very highly across a number of jurisdictions. So to look at only one piece of the whole puzzle really isn’t responsible when you’re talking about total business. We rank very well. The Speaker: Third Official Opposition main question. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning. Temporary Foreign Workers Mr. Backs: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The federal government stated yesterday that they are processing over 10,000 temporary foreign workers for our oil sands.

They say that these applications are approved by this Alberta government and will work under the oil sands temporary foreign worker memorandum of understanding initiated by this Alberta government. Yesterday in this Legislature the Minister of Advanced Education admitted that there are thou- sands of union tradesmen unemployed in Alberta. The minister said that they are unemployed because they want to work closed s hop, which means that they want to work with a real union. My question is to the minister of human resources.

Will this government stick to its often-repeated statement of hiring Albertans first, Canadians second, and work to rescind, to cancel, these applications for thousands of temporary, indentured foreign workers? Mr. Cardinal: Yes only to the first part of the question, Mr. Speaker. Yes, our top priority, of course, is to hire Albertans first, hire aboriginals, persons with developmental disabilities, and older workers that are displaced. That is our top priority. I mentioned in this House earlier that we are working with some of the federal ministers already.

I met with the federal minister of immigration already to talk about various issues that related to needs in Alberta. I’m meeting soon with the minister of Indian affairs to talk about the issue of aboriginal unemployment in Alberta. I’ve said before that there are over 200,000 aboriginal youth between the ages of 15 and 25. A lot of aboriginal youth still live in poverty. There’s a lot of work to be done, but we are definitely working in that direction to ensure that they have the same opportunities as anybody else. Mr. Backs: Let’s get them working. They would make good workers.

A supplemental to the same minister: will the minister investigate

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061640 whether restrictive contract terms by oil sands owners on union contractors are resulting in Albertans and Canadians being unem- ployed and replaced by temporary, indentured foreign workers? Mr. Cardinal: Of course, Mr. Speaker, I’ve said before in this House that with temporary foreign workers their immigration to Canada is completely under federal jurisdiction. This member knows that and still asks the same question over and over again. Call the federal immigration minister. You might get a different answer. In the meantime, our priority is to look after Albertans.

Our job as a government is to create the environment for private industry to create the jobs and the wealth, and there are lots of job opportuni- ties out there. Mr. Backs: They’re quoted publicly as saying that they’re approved by the Alberta government. A supplemental to the minister of human resources. Will the minister be working to ensure that temporary foreign workers are not displacing qualified Alberta tradesmen in oil sands work just because their employer will not employ union trades, which are the bulk of industrial tradesmen in Alberta? Mr. Cardinal: Mr.

Speaker, like I mentioned earlier, we do as a government try to create the environment for private industry to create the jobs and the wealth in Alberta. It’s up to the unions, individuals, non-union members that are interested in work to negotiate with the companies themselves. The Speaker: The hon. leader of the third party. Political Party Donations Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Unite the Right became a slogan with new meaning last night as the Liberals and the Tories joined forces to vote down an NDP amendment that would have cancelled the fiscally reckless corporate tax cut in this year’s budget. Since we know that 73 per cent of PC Party contributions and almost half of Liberal Party contributions came from the corporate sector, while 99 per cent of NDP donations are from individual Albertans, it’s clear who is paying the piper. My question is for the Premier.

Will this Premier commit, before he leaves office, to taking big money out of Alberta politics by restricting donations to individuals only, as Quebec, Manitoba, and the federal government have done? Mr. Klein: Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure, but I think that that is a matter for the Legislature. We have no control over who gives to this party, the Conservative Party, or the Liberal Party, nor do we have any control over who gives to the ND Party. You know, the New Democrats are supported in large part by the unions.

Now, I don’t know to what extent they get donations from the unions either individually from union members or collectively through the union organizations, but I would bet that they get a significant amount from unions and union workers. Mr. Mason: Mr. Speaker, we’re pleased to give up union donations if you’ll give up corporate donations. Mr. Speaker, given that the corporate sector gave $1.5 million in 2005 to the Liberal and Conservative parties and r eceived in exchange a $250 million tax cut, will the Premier admit that it’s corporate donations that are driving the tax cut agenda of his government? Mr.

Klein: No, Mr. Speaker. It’s the economy that’s driving everything really. You know, the income tax laws are there for everyone. They’re there for the NDs as well. It doesn’t matter. The 90 some-odd per cent of the individuals who donate to the ND Party get a very handsome tax receipt and tax break, as do corporations, as does everyone and all bodies, corporate or otherwise, who donate to political parties. Mr. Mason: Mr. Speaker, this is a serious question, and other governments have taken it up. Will the Premier commit, before he leaves office, to taking big money out of politics? Mr. Klein: Mr.

Speaker, that is entirely up to the donors, whether they donate to the NDs, the Liberals, or the Conservatives. We are not a top-down government, you know. We are not a top-down government, and we don’t interfere like the NDs want to interfere. They want to control every aspect of everyone’s life all the time. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner. Confined Hog Feeding Operations Mr. Hinman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many feel that it’s the responsibility and duty of government to strike a balance between individual rights and a community’s w ill.

It is often stated in law that one’s individual rights end when you encroach on other people’s quality of life or property. My first question is to the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. What can municipali- ties do if they do not want confined hog feeding operations in their jurisdiction? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Horner: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a good question. Municipalities do have the ability through their land-use planning to set aside areas they consider not appropriate for confined feeding operations.

Certainly, under AOPA, the Agricultural Operation Practices Act, and the Natural Resources Conservation Board approval officers cannot approve applications if they’re not consis- tent with the act or with the land-use provisions in the county’s municipal development plan. I can assure this hon. member that this government is committed to ensuring that our legislation and the regulations are fair to the communities, to the operators, and to the environment. 2:00 The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Hinman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again to the same minister: is there anything residents who are against the confined hog feeding operation can do if their municipal government is pursuing it? Mr. Horner: Certainly, Mr. Speaker, they can make representation to their municipal governments. When the NRCB receives the completed application for these proposals, the public is notified by ads in the local paper and courtesy letters. They usually have 20 working days to submit their concerns. It’s my understanding that the CFO this member is speaking about in northern Alberta has really only submitted

part 1 of the application process.

Part 1 of the process is essentially just informing the NRCB that there’s some- thing coming. Most confined feeding operations in this province are family operations, and our producers are good stewards of the land, and we’re very proud of that.

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1641 I would also note, Mr. Speaker, that it’s my understanding that the county council in this instance has actually put a hold on any permit issuances at this point in time to ensure that those residents’ concerns are heard, that the environmental issues are heard, that the regulations are followed, and that they’re doing what they need to do as a municipality and as duly elected officials. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Hinman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My second supplemental question will be to the minister of health.

Does the province have any studies – and if not, will they undertake to do one? – to deter- mine the effect that confined hog feeding operations have on the health of the workers, the neighbours, and the surrounding environ- ment? Ms Evans: Well, Mr. Speaker, I think that’s more appropriate for the minister of agriculture, and I will ask him to respond. Mr. Horner: Well, thank you. We do an ongoing scientific review of confined feeding operations. The NRCB consults the latest data that is out there.

We have had extensive consultation with the industry, and the Department of Environment is also well informed of any of these things. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate when a development like a hog operation threatens to split a community, and that’s exactly why we’ve developed these processes. That’s exactly why we’ve developed the regulations. That’s exactly why we base the decisions on science in consultation with Environment. The NRCB actually reports to Sustainable Resource Development, and that balances the interests of agriculture and the environmental concerns. I do find it interesting, Mr.

Speaker, that the member whose constituency actually contains more than 126 confined feeding operations would be quite interested in limiting that. Our policy is to build agriculture in Alberta, not dismantle it. Our policy is to build jobs in rural Alberta, not move them out of rural Alberta. Our policy is to develop the value chain of agriculture that the primary producers can earn their dollar from. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Drayton Valley-Calmar, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Mountain View. Agricultural Income Stabilization Program Rev. Abbott: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The federal govern- ment recently announced that it is deferring collection of overpay- ments under the Canadian agricultural income stabilization program, commonly referred to as CAIS. But that deferral applied only to the provinces where the federal government administers the CAIS program. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Because CAIS is handled here by the province, is that putting Alberta producers at a disadvantage? Mr. Horner: Well, Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to clarify this situation as there is a little bit of confusion out there.

Yes, the federal government did defer collection of any CAIS overpayments until it has had a chance to work out details on an additional one-time funding arrangement which they’ve announced, which we’re still waiting to hear the details on. The federal government did say that they were going to delay interest on those overpayments until January 1 of 2007. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the federal government is following our lead.

We introduced a similar measure in February of this year, and in consultation with producers last fall we informed every producer who has been in an overpayment situation under the CAIS program that no interest would be charged until the end of December. As well, we also added some much-needed flexibility to the producers in the sense that we informed them that they could convert any money owed to low-interest loans, to long-term repayment under CAIS program payments that were coming to them.

This week we are actually calling or writing to every Alberta producer who has an overpayment under CAIS, and we are recommending that they hold off any business decision on the overpayment until we’ve had a chance to see what the federal changes will do to the overpayment situations in Alberta. The Speaker: The hon. member. Rev. Abbott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Then my only supplemental to the same minister is: what is he or his department doing to ensure that the changes the federal government is proposing are the right ones for our Alberta producers, that will help us? Mr. Horner: Well, Mr.

Speaker, as we’ve talked about in this House a number of times, we are part and parcel of the National CAIS Committee. We are working through that committee to try and understand better what exactly it is that the federal government is going to do in terms of this retroactivity that they’ve announced, in terms of how they’re going to calculate this payment. Until we know that, until we actually know what procedure they’re going to follow and the calculation that th ey’re going to use, it’s a little difficult for us to understand how that’s going impact our producers in the province.

We are lobbying a certain am ount to have a set approach taken that we think will benefit, certainly, our grains and oilseeds producers who are the most dramatically hit. It’s interesting to note that of the 36,000 producers who are under our CAIS program, our overpayment situation is just a little bit over 10 per cent. In the total realm of things that’s not to say that it’s not a serious situation, Mr. Speaker. We believe it is, and we’re hopeful that this one-time payment will help that. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Mountain View, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-East.

Coal-bed Methane Drilling Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Rural Albertans have lost trust in the ability of this Environment minister to protect groundwa- ter and their safety. Growing rural concerns about increasing gas migration into water have been dismissed as fearmongering by this minister. One week ago in Spirit River a private well exploded, burning and hospitalizing three men. Alberta Environment has been investigating and receiving complaints about this well for over three years.

To the Minister of Environment: can the minister confirm that this private well which exploded in Spirit River was being investigated by Alberta Environment? Mr. Boutilier: Mr. Speaker, this was, as the hon. member has mentioned, a very unfortunate occurrence. In fact, one of my own Environment staff is the son of the family who owns the well. Of course, I wish his father and the other two involved in the incident a speedy recovery as I’m sure all members of the Assembly do. My ministry was on-site very shortly after the incident occurred, and we will continue to be involved until this issue is resolved.

I want to say, Mr. Speaker, that this hon. member has been in here talking about coal-bed methane drilling. There is no coal-bed

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061642 methane drilling going on anywhere near what is happening up there. I want to say that at this time we have no reason to believe this is related to industrial activity. There is simply no coal-bed methane in this area at all. Dr. Swann: Mr. Speaker, after two years of complaints from people like the Zimmermans, Ernsts, Lauridsens, and others, how can we believe this department is protecting their health and doing a proper investigation of the complaints? Mr. Boutilier: Mr. Speaker, the inferences that he is making against me personally I find unacceptable.

I accept them but as a public official because my passion and my interest is protecting the land, air, and water of this province to every citizen, all 3.2 million. I guess I’d best describe it as almost as if I don’t have a heart. All I can say to you is simply this. Albertans are very caring people, and I know that this government reflects that in how we protect the environment. I think, based on some of the inferences that you have made against me, based on some of the unsubstantiated facts that you have made, I can assure all Albertans that we will do what is right in protecting their interest.

Let me end by saying this. I think there’s only one quality that is worse than the hardness of the heart, based on the kind of comments you’re making, and that is softness of the head. Dr. Swann: Three years this man waited for investigations. He still has no explanation of why his water exploded. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Environment has not met the mark in protecting our most vital resource. The Speaker: Hon. member, I appreciate that there’s a synergy that goes on in here, and I also appreciate that there’s emotion, but it’s question period. Let’s get to the question, okay? 2:10 Dr.

Swann: I ask the Minister of Environment to resign. Mr. Boutilier: Not on your life, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-East, followed by the hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity. Persons with Developmental Disabilities Program Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently I have had many constituents visiting my office to talk about the services their loved ones receive from the community-based programs funded by PDD boards.

Even though they are satisfied with the quality of the programs they and their loved ones receive, they are concerned that the recent increase in f unding will not enable these programs to maintain these services at current levels. My question today is to the hon. Minister of Seniors and Community Supports. Is the minister committed to ensuring that funding levels are maintained at adequate levels to ensure that there are no cuts to community services of PDD programs? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mrs. Fritz: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I agree with the hon. member because I know, too, how important this program is, and I have been paying close attention to the concerns of the people in the community. There is substantial funding in the PDD program, and I am committed. The hon. member has asked that. I am committed to ensuring that the substantial funding remains in place for the services, but I want to tell you how. This is a top priority for my ministry and there are two ways.

One is the bill that we have here in this session, which I hope will pass soon and be proclaimed, and that legislation will change the governance, and it will also change the way that the program is administered. Along with that, I am currently reviewing the funding and the eight steps the funding goes through before it reaches the individual in the community. I believe there is a disconnect there. I will find that. I expect to have answers within the next two months, the next eight weeks, and I hope that satisfies this member. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My only supplemental to the same minister: will the minister commit to monitoring the funding situation closely and make sure to address any shortfall in funding to these community groups wh ich negatively impacts services provided to recipients? If she doesn’t, will she resign? Mrs. Fritz: Well, I can’t even believe you said that. Mr. Speaker, in all seriousness this is very important, about communication with the community. I can assure the member that I have met with the regional boards, the regional board chairs in the past two weeks. I’ve also met with the regional CEOs.

We’ve discussed the monitoring, the accountability. I am meeting with the families, with caregivers out in the community, and even this Friday I’m meeting at the Disability Action Hall in Calgary, and we are discussing this very issue. This member is more than welcome to be there, and I will be there. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity, followed by the hon. Member for Lacombe-Ponoka. Provincial Campgrounds Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure that the Minister of Community Development would agree that this weekend officially kicks off the 2006 camping season.

Where we may disagree is on the ability of the park system to keep Albertans healthy, happy, and safe over the long weekend. My questions are all to the Minister of Community Development. How many conservation officers, permanent and seasonal, will be on duty this long weekend to ensure that Albertans have a safe visit to our approximately 500 parks and protected areas? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Ducharme: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are 278 permanent park staff, and in the summer we nearly double that number, by another 300.

Of those, there are 68 permanent conservation officers and 91 seasonal for a total of 159 conservation officers during the summer seasons. Two hundred and seventy of our parks have camping facilities; therefore, that gives us approximately one conservation officer for every two parks. If I may, Mr. Speaker, the conservation officers are responsible for public safety, resource management, heritage appreciation, park administration, and enforcement of the various legislation that we have.

Our interpretive staff manage heritage appreciation activities, including interpretive programming such as special events, guided walks, publications, environmental education, and public inquiries and complaints.

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1643 Mr. Speaker, our goal is to ensure that Alberta’s provincial parks are safe and enjoyable for families. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Chase: Yes. Thank you very much. I very much appreciate the minister’s response to the questions I sent to him previously. Given that two popular campgrounds, Miquelon Lake and English Bay, will be closed this weekend, has the minister evaluated which nearby parks are expected to take displaced visitors, and if so, what steps were taken to plan for these extra displaced people? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Ducharme: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. I thank the hon. member for asking this question. Just to reinforce again that at Miquelon Lake provincial park there will be approximately $5 million of upgrading that will be taking place this summer to make our camping experiences that much more enjoyable for Albertans and visitors to this province. There will also be approximately $700,000 in upgrades that will occur at English Bay this summer at Cold Lake.

There was a public service announcement that was released on May 16 advising Albertans of this, and there are certainly opportunities in the surrounding areas where other camp facilities will be available for them to go out and camp this weekend. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Chase: Thank you. My final question to the Minister of Community Development: now that Wal-Mart is officially sponsor- ing Alberta’s park system, can the minister confirm whether there will be greeters in blue vests and yellow buttons welcoming campers to Alberta’s parks this weekend? Mr. Ducharme: Mr.

Speaker, I think the situation in regard to Wal- Mart has been a little bit exaggerated. I can tell you that we do have a brochure that goes out advertising the campgrounds that we have available in our province, and that is done through various groups that take advertising space. Wal-Mart happens to be one of those. They also have links that have been established to our Gateway website that people have been able to go through.

What we have done is we’ve informed Wal-Mart that there has been a little bit of negative reaction in regard to them linking themselves to our Gateway website, and we’ve asked that they redirect their page to describe the environmental initiatives that they do providing funding to Albertans. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Lacombe-Ponoka, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. Postsecondary Education for Rural Students Mr. Prins: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Recently Alberta jointly launched a new bursary program with the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation to enable rural students to pursue postsecondary opportunities. Statistics show that fewer rural students complete postsecondary studies compared to their urban counterparts. My first question today is to the Minister of Advanced Education. What is the value of this new bursary, and will the bursary make it easier for students to complete a program in Al- berta’s postsecondary learning system? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Herard: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I was greatly honoured this morning to be in Red Deer at Red Deer College along with Mr. Norman Riddell of the millennium foundation to announce the new rural incentive bursary. We know that postsecondary students from rural Alberta face unique challenges when furthering their education. In fact, 15 per cent fewer rural students enrol in postsecondary than urban students. So this bursary will help to assist with these challenges, in turn increasing the number of Albertans from rural communities pursuing and completing postsecondary education.

We estimate that about 8,100 Albertans will be eligible to receive this $1,000 bursary, and we hope that each and every one of these adults will make good use of it. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Prins: Thank you. My second question is also directed to the Minister of Advanced Education. Which students will qualify for this rural scholarship? Mr. Herard: Mr. Speaker, this bursary is available to students studying in an approved Canadian institution who are enrolled in their first or second year of a postsecondary program of at least two years’ duration.

Students applying for the bursary must have attended high school in rural Alberta or lived in rural Alberta for 12 months prior to starting their studi es. In addition, to qualify, the students also have to be eligible for at least $1,000 in student loan assistance. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview, followed by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie. 2:20 City Centre Early Education Project Mr. Martin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The city centre early education project is an award-winning collaborative effort among seven inner-city Edmonton schools to overcome challenges related to poverty and lack of opportunity. One of their most important successes has been the junior kindergarten program in three of these schools. The program was funded on an interim basis by Children’s Services, but the funding will be eliminated for September of this year. The success of this program is well documented, and its jeopardy is a serious reversal for high-needs students. My question is to the Minister of Education.

What is the minister prepared to do to save junior kindergarten in the city centre project? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure if the hon. member is referring to the so-called AISI projects or not, but if he is, it was made very clear to the Edmonton public school board – and he would know this because he may have been there when it started three years ago – that the funding was provided on a one-time basis and that funds that were to be used out of that funding pool were not going to be repetitive in nature. They were not going to recur.

Now, if that’s the fund he’s referring to, then those particular programs will have to be adjusted for by the school board in its budget by the end of June. Alternatively, they’ll have to look for other sources. The nature and extent of our AISI program is that we provide those monies, about $71 million a year across the province, for specific innovative projects that typically have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Mr. Martin: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’m not talking about the AISI programs. I’m talking about junior kindergarten, which was paid for

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061644 by Children’s Services, and they’re eliminating it. My question is again to the minister. What is the minister prepared to do to save junior kindergarten, specifically junior kindergarten that was financed by Children’s Services before? Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I’m sorry. I apologize to the member. There were some kindergarten programs funded out of AISI as well. At least that’s my understanding.

Now, I’m not aware of the particular junior K program specifi- cally that is being referenced here, but I’d be happy to take a look at that and speak with Children’s Serv ices and see what it is that the public school board has in mind b ecause this is, after all, a local decision by the local board. Mr. Martin: Well, Mr. Speaker, it’s not a local decision if they get the funding cut from the provincial government. My question again is to the minister. Is the minister prepared to step up? This is well documented that this is doing good work for high-needs students.

Is the minister prepared to continue with these programs in the three schools in the city centre project? Mr. Zwozdesky: Well, again, Mr. Speaker, I’m at a disadvantage because I don’t know which specific schools are being referenced or which specific programs, but if the member would be so kind as to send me over the information, I’d be happy to take a look at it and see. Maybe something can be done, maybe not. I don’t know on what basis Children’s Services might have been funding which programs. Was it one-time funding, or was it some pilot funding, or something other than that?

I’d be happy to take a look at it. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Ellerslie, followed by the hon. Member for Leduc-Beaumont-Devon. Applewood Park Community Association Mr. Agnihotri: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An Alberta Auditor General’s report has led to the Ministry of Community Development demanding that the Applewood Park Community Association repay its $20,000 grant. The minister has asked the Crown’s debt collection to collect the money.

To the Minister of Restructuring and Government Efficiency: why has the Alberta debt collection taken so long to collect any of the missing Wild Rose funds from the Applewood community? Mr. Ouellette: Well, Mr. Speaker, it’s true that Restructuring and Government Efficiency does look after debt collections for the province of Alberta, and I can tell you that the overall success rate of Restructuring and Government Efficiency’s Crown debt collec- tion unit is very high. From 2003 to 2004 we went from $4 million in collections to $9 million today. On this particular issue, Mr.

Speaker, we have passed this over to Justice because we believe that this case may be going to court. Justice is determining the strength of the case and doing a cost- benefit analysis to determine whether to proceed with this collection or not. Once we hear the advice from Justice, we’ll work with Community Development, who will determine whether or not we are going to proceed. Mr. Agnihotri: I don’t know when that time will come.

My next supplemental, to the Minister of Justice: why does the government take legal action against Albertans that do not pay their health care premiums yet takes this soft approach to Applewood? Mr. Stevens: Well, Mr. Speaker, as you know, Alberta Justice provides legal services to each of the ministries, and if the ministries ask us for assistance in that regard, we provide it. The hon. minister indicated that he has asked for assistance from my department. That assistance is being provided.

I don’t know exactly what the current status of it is, but I’m sure that when he receives the advice from Justice, appropriate action will be taken. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Agnihotri: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next supplemental, to the Minister of Government Services: why is access to information refusing to disclose the Department of Justice’s 719 pages of records pertaining to Applewood Park Community Association? Mr. VanderBurg: I have no idea on the particulars of this, and I’ll get back to him in writing. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Leduc-Beaumont-Devon, followed by the hon.

Member for Edmonton-Glenora. Alberta in Washington, DC Mr. Rogers: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Legislature rotunda is featuring many colourful banners depicting Alberta’s participation in the Smithsonian’s Folklife Fe stival in Washington, DC, this summer. A number of my constituents were interviewed to be a part of this festival. My question is to the Minister of Community Development. Can he tell us who was selected and how? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Ducharme: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On April 21 I was pleased to announce along with the Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations the names of approximately 150 Albertans that will be in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian. These Albertans will showcase urban and cultural diversity. Our creativity, entrepreneurship, and can-do spirit will all be on display. This is a curated event. Participants were chosen by the Smithsonian Institute in consultation with staff from my department. The participants are listed on the April 21 news release or can also be found on our website at albertaindc.com. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr.

Rogers: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My only supplemental is to the Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. What other activities does the government have planned, and was Al- berta’s business community given the opportunity to participate? Mr. Mar: Mr. Speaker, we’re going to help tell Alberta’s story in a lot of different ways at a very, very important place. There are going to be economic forums featuring people speaking in the areas of energy and agriculture, innovation and science. Our postsecondary institutions are going to be featured with a concert at the prestigious Kennedy Center.

There will be receptions held by the city of Edmonton, a Stampede breakfast hosted in Washington. We’re going to tell people in Washington about the integration of our ag sectors in both countries, we’re going to educate Americans about the largest energy supplier to the United States, and we’re going to promote Alberta as a tourism destination. We certainly have involved people from organizations and businesses throughout the province’s municipalities. Many of them have come forward to

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1645 us, knocking on our door and asking how they can help, how they can participate. As an example, Alberta beef producers are donating Alberta beef. Caterpillar and Finning are donating a giant oil sands truck to be on display at the festival. Suncor is supporting the energy forum. So there’s been a great deal of involvement from many different sectors. We’ve got a great story to tell. We’re going to do a great job. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora, followed by the hon. Member for Strathcona. Regulation of the Legal Profession Dr. B. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The legal profession in Alberta is extremely important, and it is imperative that lawyers remain independent and impartial. These same values must also apply to the Law Society of Alberta in dealing with public com- plaints in order to increase public confidence in the justice system. My questions are to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Given that transparency and accountability are vital to increase public confidence in the system, how can a system for complaints against lawyers run by lawyers themselves achieve public confi- dence? 2:30 Mr. Stevens: Mr.

Speaker, the Law Society of Alberta is a self- governing body. It is pursuant to

an act of this Legislature. Indeed, from my observation in the few years I’ve been here, this is a trend we have, that there are more self-governing bodies. My recollection is that the benchers, who are the group that are elected by the lawyers, ultimately include among them lay benchers who are put there by appointment. These are people who are not lawyers but who participate as full benchers along with the other benchers. My memory is that they participate in the discipline hearings. The discipline hearings are also, to my understanding, very public if, in fact, they proceed to a discipline.

The process itself is one where a complaint is made. If there is some substance to the complaint upon initial review, it goes to a hearing. If there is not, it ends at that time. If it goes to a hearing, it is a matter of public record. I know of nothing that is more transparent than something that is done in public. The Speaker: The hon. member. Dr. B. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just one supplemental question: given that reform of the legal profession from professional self-regulation to a more open and transparent system has been conducted in the United Kingdom – and I’ll table the Sir David Clementi report later; good summer reading, by the way – will the minister commit to a similar review of the Legal Profession Act in Alberta to make the system more responsive to public concerns? Mr. Stevens: Well, Mr.

Speaker, I am familiar with the Clementi report, and I think the hon. member, if he was in fact holding up what he is going to file, is not going to be filing the entire report because when I got it, it was a full binder as opposed to just part of a binder. Nonetheless, the fact is that the United Kingdom has in fact approached this in a different manner. There’s absolutely no doubt about that.

But I can tell you, on the basis of the information I have, that the circumstances we currently have in Alberta – indeed probably across Canada but certainly in Alberta – are different than the circumstances that were present in the U.K. when this particular matter went forward with the Clementi report and the changes following. The Speaker: Hon. member, that’s fine? Then the hon. Member for Strathcona. Accessible Outdoor Recreation Facilities Mr. Lougheed: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many Albertans have asked about the status of Blue Lake centre, located in William A. Switzer provincial park near Hinton.

They believe that the Blue Lake centre would make an excellent location for a fully accessible facility similar to William Watson Lodge in Kananaskis Country. My questions are to the Minister of Community Development. Has the ministry assessed the demand for an accessible facility more easily reached by residents of northern or central Alberta? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Ducharme: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Blue Lake centre offers significant opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities.

The Alberta government has retained a consultant to investigate future options for the Blue Lake centre, including the possibility of a facility for persons with disabilities. We’ve also received indication from the disability association that converting the Blue Lake centre into a disability accessible facility would be encouraged. Once we’ve reviewed the consultant’s report, we’ll have a much clearer picture of what we have to do forward in order to meet all these needs. The Speaker: The hon. member. Mr. Lougheed: Thank you. It’s complete.

Vignettes from the Assembly’s History The Speaker: Hon. members, shortly I’ll call upon the first of six to participate in Members’ Statements today, but a historical vignette. [interjection] I want to put a disclaimer on what happened yester- day. I had nothing to do with that. Nothing to do with that. Back to the business today. Four hundred and fifty candidates from nine different political parties contested the November 22, 2004, Alberta election. Prior to the implementation of the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act of 1978 candidates could run under any banner that they chose.

Starting January 1, 1978, political parties and independent candidates were required to provide appropriate registration information to Elections Alberta. This registration information has to be in place before a candidate’s nomination papers are accepted and the candidate is allowed to participate in the election. In Alberta’s electoral history 62 different political affiliations or parties have had candidates run in our elections or by-elections. In our first election, held on November 9, 1905, the political affiliations or parties were Conservative, Liberal, and Independent with a capital I.

In the election held November 22, 2004, the political affiliations or parties were – and there are currently nine registered political parties in Alberta – the Alberta Alliance Party, the Alberta Greens, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Alberta New Democrats, the Alberta Party, the Alberta Social Credit Party, the Communist Party of Alberta, the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, and the Separation Party of Alberta. During the Social Credit era coalitions between Liberals and Conservatives were created in an attempt to defeat the government. These coalitions failed, and failed miserably.

In the 1955 provincial

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061646 election the Liberal Conservative political affiliation received only 1.1 per cent of the vote. In the 1963 provincial election the Conservative-Liberal affiliation received .3 per cent of the vote, and in the 1967 election the Liberal/Progressive Conservative Coalition received only .1 per cent of the vote. The s upport for candidates running under the Conservative banner or Liberal banner fared much better in these three elections. In terms of political affiliation or party identification the name “Liberal” was not to be used by any candidate in the 1944 election

whereas the name “Conservative” was not to be used by any candidate in the elections of 1940, 1944, and 1948. Liberal and Conservative candidates have run in all other Alberta elections. The New Democratic Party name was used for the first time in the 1963 general election. The Alliance Party of Alberta name was used for the first time in the election of 1993. The Conservative and Liberal names were used for the first time in 1905. In 30 seconds I’ll call upon the hon. Member for Calgary-East.

Hon. members, might we revert briefly to Introduction of Guests? [Unanimous consent granted] head: Introduction of Guests (reversion) The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Health and Wellness. Ms Evans: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my great hope and great pleasure that the gentlemen I wish to introduce today are present in the Assembly. Mr. Peter Snyder from Allentown, Pennsylvania, is with us. He’s with Air Products, and they have just completed a plant in Strathcona county and have received permission to construct a second facility. Accompanying him today is Mr. Ian Murray of Edmonton.

The great enthusiasm they display for locating Air Products in Strathcona and in Alberta is indication that Air Products, as the world’s largest supplier of third-party hydrogen, has recog- nized the advantage of locating in Alberta as the best place in North America to do business. I’d ask them to please rise and receive the warm applause of our members. At least one is still here. Thank you. head: Members’ Statements The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-East. Calgary Police and Community Interactive Fair Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It was a great pleasure for me last weekend to attend the police and community interactive fair. The purpose of the police and community interactive fair is to heighten the awareness for residents within district 4 about the various policing, community services, and available programs. Mr. Speaker, the event was organized by Sergeant Gord Renke of the Calgary Police Service, and he put together an outstanding list of community organizations that are committed to serving the citizens of northeast Calgary.

Some of the organizations that attended this weekend’s event were the Parent Link Centre, Patch project, northeast Crime Stoppers, Block Parents, Greater Forest Lawn Seniors, Rainbow Lodge transitional housing society, youth alternative programs, Wal-Mart Walk for Miracles, the CHR, Sunrise community link, Wood’s Homes, Families Matter, Calgary Family Services, and the city of Calgary. They all participated and on a daily basis work in my constituency and in many others to provide programs and services to people from all walks of life. 2:40 Mr.

Speaker, while it’s not possible to mention all of the great things each of these organizations do, I would like to recognize them and make the Assembly aware and all of my constituents aware that these programs are available for them to make use of. They can contact my office any time to get information on these valuable services provided to the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Bow. Tribute to Fathers Ms DeLong: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to stand today in recognition of Father’s Day.

While Father’s Day will not be taking place until the third Sunday in June, June 18 this year, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the importance of our fathers a little bit early. We recognized Mother’s Day in the Legislature last week, so I think our dads deserve the same recogni- tion. Father’s Day offers us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate fatherhood and honour our fathers. It’s a time to recognize the important roles that our fathers play in our lives and the lives of our families. Fathers are vital. The benefits of engaged fathers are obvious.

Children are healthier, happier, and more productive when their fathers are active in their lives. Kids do better in school, are less likely to drink or use drugs, and are less likely to be involved with delinquent behaviour. The inverse, unfortunately, is also true. When a father is absent from a child’s life, there’s an increased likelihood of behavioural problems, depression, and health issues. Simply put, children are generally better off when both parents play an active role in their lives. Mr. Speaker, children learn a great deal from their fathers.

Dads play a vital role in the development, growth, and maturation of their children. Fathers teach their children how to play, how to learn, and how to work. They are there for wisdom, advice, and affection. Father’s Day offers us a chance to let our dads know just how much we love them and how important they are to us and to remember our dads who have passed on. I would like to acknowledge this important day a little early this year and wish dads across Alberta a happy Father’s Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Foothills-Rocky View. Bow Habitat Station Aquatic Ecopark Dr.

Morton: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past weekend plans were unveiled for Alberta’s first aquatic ecopark, the Bow Habitat Station. Over 4,000 Albertans participated in the Wild Thing celebration organized by Alberta fish and wildlife and the Livingston Fish Hatchery. The Bow Habitat Station, scheduled to open in the spring of 2007, will include displays and interactive exhibits that will help teach visitors and students how everything in our environment relates back to freshwater. The Bow Habitat Station will be a world-class visitor centre.

It’s located in the heart of the city of Calgary and is sort of an oasis surrounded by the city’s major transportation thoroughfares. It includes the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and the Pearce Estate Interpretive Wetland. It is expected to attract 100,000 visitors and students each year. This $20 million project is made possible through a partnership between government, industry, and stakeholders. Together the government of Alberta and more than 100 businesses, corporations,

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1647 nonprofit organizations, and granting agencies from across Canada have contributed to this project. Major partners and exhibit sponsors include the city of Calgary, BP Canada Energy Company, Ducks Unlimited Canada, HSBC Bank Canada, and the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery Volunteer Society. The long-term vision of the Bow Habitat Station is to promote awareness of the connections between water and the rest of our environment and to encourage Albertans and visitors to discover what each of us can do to sustain the province’s natural resources for future generations. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore. Go Oilers Go! Mr. Bonko: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to talk about team spirit, spirit that is growing in numbers and in followers. This spirit has not only gripped the hearts of the young and old but that of a city, not just any city but the City of Champions, home to the Edmonton Oilers, five-time Stanley Cup champions. Once again Edmonton has the opportunity to advance to the western conference final in front of the loudest crowd in the National Hockey League. You need only look around to see how much support is behind the Oilers.

Flags fly on almost every vehicle, posters on windows and doors. This town is alive with passion about the team, the Oilers. Tonight an entire city, province, and country will be watching as the Oilers are the last remaining Canadian team in their quest for the holy grail of hockey. Tonight the victory will be on the steps of the Oilers, one step closer to that particular piece, and shark bait will be on the tables in the restaurants. Go, Oilers, go. The Speaker: And some people still have their game beard on.

It’s my sincere hope that all Members of the Legislative Assembly will be able to watch all of the hockey game this evening. The hon. Member for Calgary-Varsity. Calgary Meals on Wheels Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On November 30, 1965, Calgary Church Women’s Community Care was incorporated, and in 1976 the name was officially changed to Calgary Meals on Wheels. In addition to the United Church the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, and Presbyterian churches supported the movement while interested volunteers and service clubs answered the call for help and proved to be the backbone of the fledgling organization.

The United Way and the city of Calgary have also played a vital role in the success of this social service. At this year’s Cuisine et Concours d’Élégance fundraiser last Saturday night at the Roundup Centre the Ismaili community, a silver cloud sponsor, teamed up to announce a very special 2006 Stampede parade float project that will highlight for millions of viewers the significant community contributions of Calgary Meals on Wheels.

From January to December of 2005 Meals on Wheels delivered some 400,000 meals, 1,650 meals per day, to clients at their place of residence, enabling them to stay at home, to retain their autonomy and dignity, and to receive fresh, nutritious f ood. Meals to these seniors, convalescents, veterans, and persons with disabilities consist of one hot meal, one cold meal with a heat-up soup, and snack. Fifty-two per cent of the meals are special diets. In addition, Meals on Wheels delivers 215 bag lunches daily for the working homeless at the Drop-in Centre.

Through its duck soup program 960 servings of hot, hearty soup lunches were delivered to seven high-risk elementary schools twice weekly to some 600 children, who, as noted by their teachers, would not have a meal due to living conditions, financial conditions, and/or social circumstances. Seventeen schools are currently on the waiting list for this donor-based service. Meals on Wheels offers culturally appropriate meals through its chopsticks on wheels and r eaches further out into the Calgary community with programs like food and fellowship, food and caring, as well as offering five-pack magic meals.

Unfortunately, the growing demand for services is far outstripping Meals on Wheels’ kitchen capacity. Therefore, a new facility is desperately needed to carry on the 41-year tradition of outstanding outreach. Hopefully, the Alberta government will recognize Meals on Wheels’ history of giving and provide sustainable financial support to help keep this program on the road. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Fort. Calgary-Fort Constituency Decennial Mr. Cao: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to speak about the great constituency of Calgary-Fort on the 10th anniversary of its creation.

Due to the fast population growth in Calgary the constitu- ency of Calgary-Fort was created in 1996. Its name was based on the historical landmark in the riding, Fort Calgary, which is the birthplace of the city of Calgary. The Calgary-Fort constituency now includes the hard-working residents in the communities of Inglewood, Dover, Forest Lawn, Erin Woods, Millican, and Ogden. It covers the largest manufacturing and industrial park in Calgary, from which products and services are exported to the world and other parts of Canada.

The residents and businesses of the Calgary-Fort constituency have been contributing a great deal to the robust economy of Alberta. The two main rivers of Calgary meander through the riding of Calgary-Fort, which is also the source of the irrigation system that brings abundant agricultural life to the district east of Calgary. Mr. Speaker, in 1996 I had the honour of being nominated as the PC candidate for the riding of Calgary-Fort, and the following election I had the honour of becoming the first MLA for the riding. Hard work is just part of it.

The electoral successes are thanks to the great team of the Calgary-Fort constituency. My constituents are very smart in their choice of support and decisions. Mr. Speaker, I can go on with hundreds of names of people who are my respectful constituents and dear friends and strong support- ers. For the last 10 years I can say with confidence that we have worked very well to establish a tradition of political integrity and honesty in the Calgary-Fort riding.

On the anniversary of this occasion, representing my constituents I want to express our sincere thanks to Premier Klein for his dedicated public service to bring outstanding success to the prov- ince, the city, and the constituen cy. Our constituents wish the Premier all the best in his next, deserving

chapter of life. The Speaker: Hon. members, might we revert briefly to Introduc- tion of Guests? [Unanimous consent granted] head: 2:50 Introduction of Guests (reversion) The Speaker: The hon. Member for Cardston-Taber-Warner. Mr. Hinman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is truly a privilege to introduce to you and through you 47 concerned and dedicated

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061648 citizens from the Clear Hills area. They’ve travelled over six hours to share their concerns and are thankful for the guidance that they have received from the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and hope to be able to continue to protect their quality of life and their community camaraderie. I’d ask my guests to please rise and receive the traditional warm welcome of this Assembly. head: Presenting Petitions The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford, then Edmonton-Centre, then Calgary-Currie. Mr. R. Miller: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

My pleasure to rise this afternoon and present a petition on behalf of 197 Albertans from various communities: Grande Prairie, Sexsmith, Edmonton, Calgary, and many, many others. This petition urges the govern- ment of Alberta to abandon its plans to implement the third-way health care reforms. I think it’s been read into the record many times, so I don’t have to read the entire thing. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Currie. Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise to submit a petition with 103 signatures of Calgarians urging the government of Alberta to abandon its plans to implement the third-way health care reforms. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Centre. Ms Blakeman: Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to present almost 4,000 more signatures, 3,921, which is bringing the total petitions against the third way that the Liberal opposition has presented to over 20,000 signatures. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview. Mr. Martin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’d like to table a petition sponsored by the Alberta Social Credit Party. It has 1,058 signa- tures. The petition calls for the Assembly to urge the government to “introduce legislation to increase Alberta’s share of oil and gas revenues to pay yearly dividends to Albertans.” Thank you. The Speaker: Hon. members, I talked about Liberal/Conservative coalitions, but never in the history of Alberta have I ever found anything that suggests a Social Credit/New Democratic Party coalition. This is another historic first. Mr.

Flaherty: I’d like to table a petition from 116 people from across Alberta regarding the third way. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. head: Tabling Returns and Reports The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Woods. Mrs. Mather: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have the appropriate number of copies of a petition from 40 residents of Grande Prairie, electors of the Peace River constituency, to the House of Commons, requesting that the federal government “provide the provinces/ territories with annual funds of at least $1.2 billion to build a high quality, accessible, affordable, community-based child care system.” The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Currie. Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure to rise today and present the required number of copies of a letter from a constitu- ent of mine, Barbara McNamara, a parent at the Western Canada high school, urging the provincial government to get on with the reconstruction or modernization of the Western Canada high school, which was built in 1928 and increasingly, as she says, consumes more time, energy, and school budget on behalf of the administrative and custodial staffs patching roofs that leak, asbestos ceilings that have been damaged, and so on. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora. Dr. B. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’d like to table five copies of the report I referred to during question period, Review of the Regulatory Framework for Legal Services in England and Wales, the report of Sir David Clementi. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona. Dr. Pannu: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two tablings today, two documents that resulted from a meeting and correspondence between the parent council representative from Strathcona composite high school in my constituency and my meeting this morning with that representative, Mrs. Glynis Dorey.

I received a letter from her last week in which she drew my attention for the first time to a shocking problem at the composite high school with respect to health safety related to heating problems in the school. That problem was in fact identified by Alberta Infrastructure in ’99 but has not received the attention that it needs. She’s sitting in the public gallery and would like me to draw the attention of the House to this very serious problem. Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-McClung. Mr. Elsalhy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’m tabling the requisite number of copies of a letter that was sent to me by 17 land agents and interim land agents dated April 12, 2006, all of whom are stating their opposition to any consideration of the removal of

section 1(c)(ii) of the Land Agents Licensing Act. They’re questioning why our government would want to undermine the requirement currently in place that requires land agents to have certain qualifications before they’re able to represent their clients. The names are Matt Martel, Leon McNamara, Darcy Harty, Phil Becker, Darrell Goruk, Elliott Friedrich, Jason Svenningsen, Tyson Zack, Diane Perrin, Harold Lema, Ron Bodnar, Bernie Tchir, Dennis Worobec, Joey Andries, Dennis Cochrane, Ken Curley, and Wade Pruett. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore. Mr. Bonko: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. I have five tablings here of photos that show the environmental impact of careless off-road driving and random camping in the Willow Creek forestry area. I’m submitting these on behalf of Sheena Reid of Nanton, Alberta, which further highlights the need for a land-use policy in these areas. The Speaker: The hon. Deputy Premier. Mrs. McClellan: Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased today to table five copies of a response document to Written Question 14 as asked by the hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford.

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1649 Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I’m tabling responses to questions raised during Finance’s estimates on May 10. The members to whom the responses are addressed r eceived a copy in their offices this morning. Additionally, I’m tabling the annual reports of the provincial judges and masters in chambers pension plan for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2004, and March 31, 2005, as required by legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs. Mr. Renner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to table copies of letters that I sent to the Leader of the Opposition as well as to the Member for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview answering questions that were left outstanding following Committee of Supply for Municipal Affairs held on April 11. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. Ms Calahasen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’m pleased to table the appropriate number of copies of responses that I made a commitment to during estimates, that I would make sure that we addressed the concerns if I didn’t address them in my answers.

I also sent copies to those members who I didn’t answer. The Speaker: The hon. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. Mr. Horner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise to table the required five copies of the 32nd annual report of the office of the Farmers’ Advocate of Alberta. The report reflects the past 16 months as the agency has changed its reporting period to align with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

High- lights include the details on 1,500-plus client inquiries, 19 water well hearings, eight wildfire hearings, two Farm Implement Board hearings, and the increase of 84,000 additional hits to their online obsolete parts directory. The increased energy activity and changing dynamics of rural Alberta have led the agency to pursue a renewal initiative, which is covered in the report. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Strathcona. 3:00 Mr. Lougheed: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to file a petition from staff and students from Next Step outreach sc hool in Sherwood Park.

They’re asking for concerted government action to address the reported rise in teen smoking in Alberta. Also, I would like to table five copies of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities annual report 2004-2005. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Rutherford. Mr. R. Miller: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Finance minister for her very rapid response to the questions that were asked in supply last week. Mr. Speaker, I have several tablings this afternoon.

The first is two separate reports that were prepared by Kathryn Burke on behalf of community workshop participants in relation to children who suffer with learning challenges. Both reports were prepared in response to an EPSB review of programming for children with learning disabilities. They were completed on a volunteer basis. The workshop report represents the collective voice of 48 stake- holders, and the survey report represents the collective voice of 102 parents. Also, Mr.

Speaker, I have a letter from a constituent, Art Dyer, who is a retired Alberta civil servant and is very concerned about two aspects of Bill 20: that, in fact, they serve to erode the funda- mental principles that the act was founded on, namely public business should be done in public, and his main concern specifically is the 15-year blanket thrown over internal audits. Another concern is being expressed by a constituent, Butch Whiteman, regarding Bill 20, and this is actually a copy of a letter that he sent to the Premier of the province of Alberta.

He indicates that he feels that “Bill 20 is something that should not even be given a second thought let alone be sanctioned as progressive legislation and passed in this legislature.” Thank you. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Edmonton-Calder. Mr. Eggen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table the appropriate number of copies of a letter which details 20 farm- related deaths in Alberta last year, marking an unacceptable upward trend for farm fatalities in the province in recent years.

Thank you. 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. Mr. Ducharme, Minister of Community Development, response to Written Question 16, asked for by Mr. Miller on behalf of Mr. Agnihotri on May 8, 2006. On behalf of the hon. Mrs. Fritz, Minister of Seniors and Commu- nity Supports, pursuant to the Persons with Developmental Disabili- ties Community Governance Act the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Alberta Provincial Board annual report 2004-2005. On behalf of the hon. Mr.

Stevens, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, responses to questions raised by Dr. Miller, hon. Member for Edmonton-Glenora, on May 3, 2006, the Department of Justice and Attorney General main estimates, 2006-07, Committee of Supply debate. Responses to questions raised by Dr. Pannu, hon. Member for Edmonton-Strathcona, on May 3, 2006, Department of Justice and Attorney General main estimates, 2006-07, Committee of Supply debate. On behalf of the hon. Mr. Melchin, Minister of Energy, response to Written Question 19, asked for by Mr. MacDonald on May 15, 2006.

Speaker’s Ruling Member’s Apology The Speaker: Hon. members, last evening, late in the evening in committee and during debate, an hon. member used certain words in the House. Today I would like to offer that hon. member, the hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning, an opportunity to hopefully retract and apologize for the usage of those words. The hon. Member for Edmonton-Manning. Mr. Backs: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In all humility, sincerity, and with a sense of contrition I rise to withdraw three words, namely Nazism, fascism, and Stalinism or any variance, which were mentioned in debates last night around 11 o’clock.

These words are unparliamentary. I sincerely apologize if any member took these to mean practices which were committed by any enemy force or government in the Second World War.

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061650 My extended family was severely affected by that war. Some were lost in the defence of our country and great democracy. Some were lost fighting for our armed forces. Some were subjected to terrible times in the Netherlands and fought there or suffered there as well. I do understand those feelings, and I know that they do not subside over the decades. We do remember. That inference was not intended, and if any member felt that, I must say that this was not the intent, and I sincerely apologize. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, hon. member.

That concludes that matter. head: Orders of the Day head: Government Motions Time Allocation on Bill 20 20. Mr. Zwozdesky moved:

Be it resolved that when an adjourned debate on third reading of Bill 20, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2006, is resumed, not more than one hour shall be allotted to any further consideration at this stage of the bill, at which time every question necessary for the disposal of this stage of the bill shall be put forthwith. Mr. Zwozdesky: Mr. Speaker, I wonder if I could have permission to exercise my five minutes of explanation. The Speaker: Proceed. Mr.

Zwozdesky: I believe I indicated yesterday, but I’d like to just reiterate today that time allocation motions are very rarely used by our government. In fact, they were not used at all last year, nor were they used at all in the year before. Over the last five years I think only four or five bills have had time allocations ever put on them for just and reasonable cause. Nonetheless, I want to reiterate, too, that Bill 20 has now come up 10 times fo r debate in this House since March 14. Now, why does it sometimes become necessary for a government to bring in a time allocation or a closure-type motion?

Typically, Mr. Speaker, as most members here would know, it happens because of the clock, so to speak, having moved on and a number of repetitive debates starting up, perhaps some redundancy starting up, perhaps in some cases even some irrelevancies coming up. No one that I know really likes to use a time allocation motion to bring an end to a discussion.

However, in the same vein that one of opposition’s tools is the legislative power to speak virtually endlessly to a bill at committee, so, too, is it one of government’s tools to use responsibly and to exercise good and sound judgment when sufficient time, in the opinion of the government, has taken place for the debate on any particular bill. Mr. Speaker, I would submit that with respect to Bill 20 that time has now come.

With about 10 hours or so of debate and/or question period time consumed on this one bill or on FOIP issues in general, it’s impor- tant to note that rarely does any bill receive more than about an hour and a half to two hours of debate unless there’s something really controversial, obviously. So 10 hours, or five times more than the two-hour general practice that I just mentioned, is certainly enough and ample time for members to have voiced their opinions. In addition to that, we’ve also, I think, received and debated approxi- mately five amendments. I might add, Mr.

Speaker, that we have met in this House on 41 afternoons. We have met in this House as well on 27 evenings during this spring session so far. That’s 68 times. During those times that we have convened in this House, at least 10 of those times we have referenced debate on this particular Bill 20, so it has come up a number of times.

With that, I would also just conclude by saying that I think every opposition member has now spoken to Bill 20 with the exception, I think, of the leader of the Liberal opposition, who still has an opportunity, obviously, this afternoon, and several government members have also spoken now to Bill 20 in debate or perhaps in response to questions in question period. I will just conclude, then, by saying that the time has come to now resolve the final vote on Bill 20.

With that in mind, I’m looking for the support of the House for the motion so that we can conclude this matter of business this afternoon with one final hour of exhilarating debate. Thank you. 3:10 The Speaker: Under Standing Order 21(3) I’ll now call on the hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore. Mr. Bonko: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Education spoke about how many times, in fact, to his memory they have used the time allocation to put closure on the debate in this House.

Well, from the years 1992 to 2005 that has been exercised 32 times to force closure – and I’ll use that word “force” – on a democratic process in this House. In the Speech from the Throne this government assured people that transparency and accountability first and foremost will be used to address Albertans’ concerns. They wanted to be the government that was leading the way in this particular act. So far, when they put in something like this, this couldn’t be any further from the truth. Mr.

Speaker, when we adjourn on Thursday afternoon and Friday and through the weekends to be able to touch base with our constitu- ents, Bill 20 is becoming more and more relevant in the coffee shops or in the homes, in the newspapers because Albertans are just starting to wake up as to what is actually happening in this Legisla- ture. Secrecy is now becoming more and more of a topic in the homes and on the doorsteps of Albertans. They’re becoming concerned, and because they’re becoming concerned, I think that this is unfortunate that we are only allowing another 60 minutes to take place.

You have immigrants coming to Alberta from other countries, wherever they may be, who in fact are trying to flee this sort of undemocratic way. I’ll use my words carefully, noting debate . . . An Hon. Member: Yeah, I hope so. Mr. Bonko: Listen, that’s enough of that already. . . . noting the debate of last night. I know that people are tired, people are wanting to get out of this House, but unfortunately there’s a lot of work that still needs to take place. This is a legacy that needs to be talked about. It’s the legacy of one person, perhaps the Premier. Only at this time has this ever come into effect.

Other Premiers have had this open and transparent and accountable attitude. Now one Premier comes in, and suddenly we have FOIP. We have more and more secrecy because the individual says that they do not want anyone to have that type of record. They don’t want speaking notes; they want briefing notes. Well, it’s not just for the opposition. It’s for all Albertans to ensure that this government remains accountable and transparent and answerable, above all things, to those that elect them. It’s the Albertans, the 3,500,000 Albertans that reside in Alberta.

There are more and more that are coming all the time, and they, in fact, expect their government to act honourably. They expect their government

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1651 to act with integrity. When you put through a motion that adjourns debate, that ends the ability for opposition and Albertans to have an opportunity to speak to something that is near and dear to their hearts, which is basically democracy, then there is no democracy that remains. Mr. Elsalhy: What signal are we sending? Mr. Bonko: Yeah, exactly. What signal are we sending, Mr. Speaker? That we want to remain more and more secret. It came out in a poll a little while ago that people do not trust politicians. They came behind used-car salesmen.

I shudder to think, but the fact remains that that was the poll. This leads exactly to that particular point. If we’re hiding something, then why are we hiding something? It’s censorship right through and through. The fact remains that Albertans deserve answers regardless of who is asking. That is a democratic right. That is the ability that we all, in fact, have. The Member for Edmonton-Manning talked about democracy and how only 60 years ago people fought for that right. This is exactly the right that we’re debating here this afternoon.

We debated evenings, 4 o’clock in the morning, 2 o’clock in the morning for the right to have that democratic process continue. When you’re invoking closure due to time limits or people being tired, 10 hours, 20 hours: who’s to say it was too long? If we’re prepared to sit here and talk about it, then obviously we still want to have the ability and the time to discuss the concerns of the citizens that we represent. It limits freedom of speech. It limits democracy, which is all the more reason why we need more opposition in Alberta to continue to ensure that accountability remains.

Now, I know there are only 16 elected Liberals, and there are four NDs and an Alliance, but that’s certainly not enough, so the next election I think people will certainly be considering as to where they’re going to mark their X along the ballots. Are they going to mark for democracy, or are they going to mark for a dictatorship, which is apparently what’s happening here? Mr. Speaker, I would seek unanimous consent to waive Standing Order 32(2) to shorten the division bells from 10 minutes to two minutes this afternoon should a standing vote be triggered.

The Speaker: Well, hon. member, before that, we have some business we have to conduct. We have to deal with this particular motion, and I have to call the question. [The voice vote indicated that Government Motion 20 carried] [Several members rose calling for a division.

The division bell was rung at 3:16 p.m.] [Ten minutes having elapsed, the Assembly divided] For the motion: Amery Haley Pham Boutilier Herard Prins Brown Horner Renner Cao Jablonski Shariff Cardinal Liepert Snelgrove Evans Lougheed Stelmach Forsyth Mar Strang Goudreau McClellan VanderBurg Graydon McFarland Zwozdesky Groeneveld Oberle Against the motion: Backs Flaherty Miller, B. Blakeman Hinman Miller, R.

Bonko Martin Pannu Eggen Mason Taylor Elsalhy Mather Tougas Totals: For – 29 Against – 15 [Government Motion 20 carried] The Speaker: Hon. members, before we move to the next segment and ask the Clerk to identify the first speaker, we have two brief bits of information to deal with. Hon. Member for Edmonton-Decore, as you were wrapping up your comments on your participation, you asked for consent of the House to reduce the division bells from 10 to two minutes should that be appropriate. I didn’t allow the vote because we had a superseding motion.

So if you want to proceed now, I’ll let you do it, asking the Assembly. Mr. Bonko: Do you just want me to go through the whole thing? The Speaker: No. Just very briefly, unanimous consent. Mr. Bonko: I’m just seeking unanimous consent, then, that if in fact opportunity does arise, we would revert from 10 minutes to two minutes. The Speaker: Okay. All hon. members understand that? Should the opportunity arise for division bells to be rung, the normal time would be reduced from 10 minutes to two minutes. [Unanimous consent granted] The Speaker: Okay. That’s done. Now the hon.

Government House Leader on a point of order. Point of Order Parliamentary Language Mr. Zwozdesky: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would cite Beauchesne 489 again with respect to unparliamentary words and phrases. Dictatorship as referenced by the hon. Member for Edmonton- Decore I’m sure was an unfortunate slip. I would just ask that he please retract that word from his final comments just before the division bells rang and apologize, and then we’ll move on. Thank you. Mr. Bonko: Mr. Speaker, I would retract the comment of dictator- ship, then, if that would be pleasing to the Assembly. Thank you. The Speaker: Okay.

We’ve heard that. The matter is closed. head: 3:30 Government Bills and Orders Third Reading Bill 20 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2006 [Adjourned debate May 16: Mrs. Jablonski] The Speaker: Okay. I’m going to call on the hon. Member for Red Deer-North. When she begins, 60 minutes begin. The hon. Member for Red Deer-North.

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061652 Mrs. Jablonski: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity to speak to Bill 20, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2006, in third reading. It would be good to know and to remember that this bill proposes eight amendments to the FOIP Act. Perhaps the most important amendment sets higher penalties for disclosing the personal information of Albertans to a foreign court, a very serious move to protect the privacy of Albertans.

If an individual or a corporation discloses personal information pursuant to a subpoena, warrant, or court order when that court does not have jurisdiction in Alberta or pursuant to a court order that is not binding in Alberta, that person would be guilty of an offence and would be subject to a fine of up to $500,000. Anyone thinking that this legislation is toothless is not reading this carefully. The FOIP Act itself contains provisions for fines of up to $10,000 for anyone convicted of trying to abuse the intention of this legislation.

It is a top priority of this government to protect the private information of Albertans. Other solutions to address the potential for American authorities to view the private information of Albertans without proper authorization are being explored. Our goal is to ensure that the personal information of Albertans is protected from unauthorized access. The USA PATRIOT Act, which is a very clever acronym that stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism, is of particular concern to this government, Mr.

Speaker, but the legislation will apply to any foreign government that seeks to obtain the personal information of Albertans without permission. A second amendment further enhances the security of Albertans’ personal information. Currently the act allows a public body to disclose personal information to comply with a subpoena, warrant, or court order; however, it’s not clear which courts this refers to. This amendment makes it clear that a public body may disclose personal information only if ordered to do so by a court with jurisdiction in Alberta or in accordance with a rule of court binding in Alberta.

This will make Albertans’ information less vulnerable to collection by foreign agencies. Mr. Speaker, another amendment clarifies the existing limits on access to ministerial briefing materials. This is the only change to a time period limitation and only applies to ministerial briefing binders. The FOIP Act already allows ministers to refuse to disclose advice to ministers without this amendment. This amendment will clarify that briefing books prepared for a new minister and session briefing books for ministers can be disclosed after five years.

This information was not available at any time prior to this amendment act. The five-year period was chosen to coincide with the life of a Legislature, which is five years at most. A third important amendment limits access to working papers relating to an audit by the newly created office of the chief internal auditor of Alberta for 15 years. Fifteen years is the same period of time for other financial records until now, and this hasn’t been considered a problem previous to this because the Auditor General has free and timely access to these records.

An individual can still make a request for records about a program or service of a ministry but not for records about the internal audit. I will state that again. This information is always available to the Auditor General of Alberta, who does an excellent job of representing the people of Alberta. Another amendment suspends the processing of an access request while the Information and Privacy Commissioner consults with an applicant on how a public body is handling a FOIP request. This amendment is purely administrative.

Since the Privacy Commis- sioner’s consultation takes time, typically a decision comes after the legislated 30-day deadline for a response has expired. Now, the opposition members have consistently expressed a deep respect for the opinions of the Privacy Commissioner. I would expect that if they respect his opinions in one area, they could respect his deci- sions in other areas. This amendment would allow the 30-day processing time for a FOIP request to stop while the Privacy Commissioner makes his decision.

These requests are rare, reflecting this government’s commitment to the openness and transparency of the access to information process. I would like to repeat a fact that was stated by the hon. Minister of Government Services as I’m sure that some members did not hear this fact the first time it was stated. Of 3,168 FOIP requests received in 2004-05, 94 per cent were completed by government public bodies within 60 days or less, confirming that Albertans have effective and timely access to the information they seek.

This represents a significant achievement given that the complexity and number of requests received by government continue to increase annually. Of the 3,168 FOIP requests r eceived in 2004-05, 95 per cent were handled without complaint to the Information and Privacy Commissioner. This demonstrates the success of Alberta Govern- ment Services’ efforts to support FOIP staff throughout government public bodies. The Information and Privacy Commissioner has said that he would take a dim view if the number of requests for exten- sions suddenly spiked, a statement that should be respected by all Albertans.

The Privacy Commissioner has the ability to order the public body to resume processing the request immediately. Another amendment in this amendment act will allow newly created government boards and committees to be brought under the FOIP Act more quickly. As I mentioned earlier, protecting the personal information that Albertans entrust to their government and the public bodies under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is a key priority for this government. Mr. Speaker, costs are not a barrier to gaining access to govern- ment information. They are in line with other jurisdictions.

Since FOIP legislation was first introduced in 1995, we have collected $535,000 in fees. That’s less than $50,000 a year. During this same period we have spent $59.3 million to collect and distribute the requested information. That’s more than $5 million a year in support of transparency and openness. Administering the act is and will continue to be an important function of the Ministry of Government Services, and I’m proud to have this opportunity to speak to this important piece of legislation. Now, Mr.

Speaker, my colleague from Edmonton-McClung had the opportunity to quote three historical leaders in the last few days. So I, too, would like to quote a well-respected leader, my husband, who always says: happy wife, happy life. This is very good advice. Now I will be happy to take my seat and listen to the comments of others of integrity and honesty in third reading of Bill 20. The Speaker: The hon. Member for Calgary-Currie. Mr. Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure how I follow that. Well, with respect to the Speaker, I’ll try a vignette of my own.

I used to work indirectly with a guy who was in management in radio at another radio station in our company who liked to say that he operated his department on a need-to-know basis: he told his staff everything and let them decide what they needed to know. Mr. Speaker, we are but a mere province, one of 10 in this federation. We do not have the authority to commit the rest of this country to war or to go to war ourselves, and short of wartime, although I’ll give you cold or hot, I can’t really think of a reason why you need to keep anything secret for 15 years. I really can’t. I mean, a year perhaps.

A couple of years perhaps. Maybe there’s some justification for that. But 15 years for documents created for

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1653 or by the chief internal auditor? Five years for briefing notes and papers?

No disrespect, but I don’t think that there’s anything quite that valuable in that briefing binder that the Premier has been waving around the House in question period for the last few days. 3:40 I’m going to refer back to the opening questions that I asked this afternoon in question period, when I referenced something that the Premier said more than a decade ago, that he intended to make government more open and accountable to Albertans, that he intended to give Albertans real power to see into the workings of government, stating: “There is a public expectation there that we must be more transparent.

What you see is what you get.” He made that comment. Presumably he made it on December 23 because it showed up in a media account on December 24, 1994. Here we are 11 and a half years later, discussing a bill that does precisely the opposite of what the Premier, towards the beginning of his – I was going to say reign, but that’s not the appropriate word – tenure, said he was going to do.

Now, I understand that one of the reasons why our trust level is 16 per cent among the general population in Canada, one of the reasons why people distrust us so much is because we make an awful lot of promises that we don’t keep as a species, if we can be classified as a species. I understand as well that sometimes there are very legitimate reasons for not being able to keep those promises. You make a promise on the campaign trail that you fully intend to keep if you’re elected to government.

Once you are elected or re-elected to government, you discover that circumstances have changed or circumstances are different than you understood them to be, and in fact as much as you would like to go ahead and do what you said you were going to do, that just isn’t possible. But I don’t think that happens all that often. I don’t think it happens nearly as often as the number of times that we as a species collectively break our prom- ises.

We sometimes talk about looking for ways to re-engage a cynical, jaded, apathetic populous that likes to come out in droves of less than 50 per cent of eligible voters and cast their ballots on election day. I think the single best thing that we could do is actually deliver them a couple of terms of office consecutively where the govern- ment of the day actually keeps the vast majority of its promises. Now, there are a number of ways that you can take that approach. One way, I think, is being attempted by the federal government right now, and that is to make very few promises.

The fewer promises you make, perhaps, the fewer you have to keep track of and make sure that you’re keeping. There is a certain sense in that. But I think, you know, within the context of no matter how many promises you have made, when you make a promise to the people of your political jurisdiction that you are going to make your government more open, more accountable, more transparent b ecause you acknowledge that there’s a real expectation on behalf of the people for that, and you go the other direction, I think that is more than breaking a promise. I think that’s breaking a trust with the people.

There is, of course, under the U.S. style of government, I think, more ability to do certain things – and one of those things is to place term limits on how much time you can serve at any particular level – than we can do within the concept of the British parliamentary model. In fact, we may not ever be able to achieve term limits under this model, but there is a good reason, in theory at least, and I think as practised in the United States in some jurisdictions, in some areas, for supporting term limits, and that is because it tends to keep people from staying in the job past their best-before date.

I’d like to think that whatever we’re doing in whatever field of endeavour, whether it’s public life or private life that we’re involved in, we all kind of come to that job with a best-before date stamped on our foreheads. You know, that best-before date represents the point at which we are going to run out of anything meaningful that we as individuals can contribute to the process. If we’ve done our job up to that point, we will have made our contribution, and it is at that point time for us individually to move on and go do something else where we get a brand new best-before date.

But there’s no way of enforcing that best-before date, and, you know, when the milk of a career politician has gone over, there’s no way of pouring it down the drain unless, of course, at the next election the voters throw the guy out. Dr. Morton: Make cheese. Mr. Taylor: I’m sorry. What was it that the Member for Foothills- Rocky View said? Make tea? Dr. Morton: Cheese. Mr. Taylor: Cheese. Well, he’d know about cheese.

Anyway, the point here is that we’re seeing in Bill 20 ample evidence that this government has passed its best-before date because this government has forgotten, obviously, if it believes in this bill that it’s bringing forward, the fundamental tenet of democ- racy, which is this. In a democratic country or a democratic province or a democratic jurisdiction of any sort those people who are elected to take a seat in a Legislature, whether they get appointed to cabinet or not, are the servants of the public, the employees of the public. We work for them, not the other way around.

A bill that supports this much secrecy purports to upset the apple cart, purports to have the inmates running the prison, purports to have the people of this great province, the 3,500,000 of them, working for the 83 of us. You can even carve off the 22 opposition members. Heck, you could even carve off the government back- benchers, who aren’t actually part of cabinet. So all of us work for – how many people are in cabinet this week? It keeps changing – 25, 24, 26, that bunch. This is fundamentally wrong. Fundamen- tally wrong.

It is unfortunate that both opposition parties proposed at various stages along the way a number of amendments to this bill and found it impossible or virtually impossible to engage government members in debate about that. That, I think, speaks to the lack of interest in openness, accountability, transparency, and the democratic process that has developed from too many years in power. There’s no possible way – there’s no possible way – that I can support this bill in third because the effect of this is to deny information that should be readily available to the people of this province to those very people.

The effect of this bill if passed, the effect of this law once it becomes law is to set the government apart from and above the people, and we must never do that. We may get outvoted on this one, as we so often do, but we recognize on this side of the House that we are to be servants of the people. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, that when we are elected government, whatever happens today, if this bill is passed, we will throw it out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: The hon. leader of the third party. Mr. Mason: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I’m pleased to rise at third reading of Bill 20 under the intolerable c onditions of closure in this House. One of the most far-reaching bills in its impact on the government of this province, and we’re allowed one

Alberta Hansard May 17, 20061654 hour to debate this in third reading. I just want to indicate that despite our best efforts to process a number of amendments in committee stage, we still have four amendments that we have not had a chance to put forward in debate in this House. So people can see for themselves the impact of closure on the democratic process, or the lack thereof, in dealing with this issue. 3:50 Mr. Speaker, this legislation is just the most recent example in a long trend towards secrecy for this government.

No other govern- ment in Canada is so careful and so calculating in its management of information. The watchword of this government seems to be: what they don’t know can’t hurt us. The NDP opposition has attempted on a number of occasions to obtain information, as have other groups and individuals in our society, only to be misdirected and given selected information which has been filtered for political expediency, and this is under the act even before these amendments are included. One example, Mr.

Speaker, is that we recently FOIPed informa- tion relating to the study commissioned by the Minister of Health and Wellness and undertaken by Aon insurance company. We were interested in this information because there was a clear attempt on the part of the government to sell their third-way privatization schemes to Albertans. They knew the schemes were not workable, so they had to manage the information which was given to Alber- tans. Our request was plagued by unnecessary extensions and ultimately was not fulfilled until nine days after the final deadline that was set by the Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Not surprisingly, we received the information only after the minister had had time to put it through the government’s messaging filter and it had been properly sanitized. Mr. Speaker, it’s interesting to note that even though the govern- ment failed to meet the deadline set by the Information and Privacy Commissioner, there was no penalty for their noncompliance. This is intolerable, and if the gove rnment was really interested in improving our FOIP legislation, this would be one place to start. Mr. Speaker, there’s a clear pattern.

The opposition party asked for information to be tabled in th e Assembly and then were told to FOIP for it. When we do FOIP it, we are met with delays and exemptions. When the information is finally released, it has been nipped and tucked into government spin. But now we have a situation where the Premier is retiring. In all likelihood several senior ministers will retire with him. They will no longer have control over the Public Affairs Bureau, and they will have no way of ensuring that their successors don’t open the doors and let the skeletons out of the closets. We have a bill that does two things, Mr.

Speaker. It provides for more exemptions, and it provides for more delays. It allows heads of public bodies to stop the clock while seeking permission to disregard a request entirely. But worse, it seals the vault on ministerial briefing notes and internal audits for five years and 15 years respectively.

Now, the Premier has talked repeatedly about how we’re not getting his briefing books, but the Information and Privacy Commissioner has indicated that in most cases requests for information relating to briefings from ministers have been disal- lowed by his office but that in certain cases they have been allowed and that adequate protection is already in existence. Furthermore, the internal audit branch of the government is what is responsible for making sure that money is spent as it is supposed to be and that there is no fraud and there is no theft of public money.

To seal their audits for 15 years is, in our view, inexplicable since they are in the forefront of protecting the taxpayers against fraud. To keep their audit secret for 15 years represents, in our view, a really grave threat to public accountability. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a red flag for members of the opposition but also for Albertans generally. We need to ask why this informa- tion is so sensitive and what secrets are being kept.

This government took great pleasure in watching the federal Liberal government flounder after Auditor General Sheila Fraser started revealing scandal after scandal about misspending and misuse of public dollars. The Premier boasted that such scandals could never happen in this province because Albertans would run him or any tainted minister out on a rail. But the reality is that if such scandals could never happen here, it is because Albertans might never find out about them in the first place. Members of this government flaunted the authority of our Auditor General by prematurely releasing damning reports.

Again, this was a calculated political move designed to manage the release of information. Ministers make deals with the likes of Rod Love and Kelley Charlebois for so-called strategic advice in which no documents are produced and for which there is no accountability. On this side we are left wondering just how politically partisan such strategic advice is or what advice was received at all. Are taxpayers footing the bill for strategic advice to ministers on how to best ensure re-election? How much time is being spent crafting workable public policy?

How much time is spent crafting marketing strategies for bad policies based on ideological biases and rewards for well-connected donors? You know, whenever this government seeks to restrict civil liberties – and it happens from time to time in this province – they tell us that if you’re not doing anything wrong, you don’t need to worry. Well, Mr. Speaker, what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If ministers aren’t receiving partisan strategic advice as part of their briefings, if they’re not cooking up side deals and rewarding friends, fine. Show us the books.

If you’re not doing anything wrong, you don’t need to worry. The disregard for basic tenets of democracy shown by this government is astounding. We r ecently released an analysis of Alberta’s information laws that shows that they are among the most secretive and regressive on the planet. Even worse, we are now facing closure on the bill. Why? Apparently because members opposite don’t want to sit following the long weekend. Well, I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. I don’t want to either, but it’s not really a good reason to foreclose debate on this bill. To conclude, Mr.

Speaker, the NDP opposition will not be supporting this bill, and we will continue to challenge the ever- increasing secrecy this government is pursuing. An Alberta NDP government will open the curtains on government secrecy and let the sun shine in on the closets of the most secretive government in Canada. An NDP government will ensure that the public informa- tion is available to those to whom it belongs, the public. Thank you. The Speaker: Hon. members, Standing Order 29(2)(

a) is available for questions and comments. There being none, the chair will then recognize the hon. Member for Edmonton-Mill Woods. If anybody else wants to participate, send me a signal, please. Mrs. Mather: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What a difference a decade makes. Alberta was a leader among Canadian jurisdictions when it first introduced its Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act on June 1, 1994. The act was the child of the new and now retiring Premier, who liked to point out that he personally had been FOIPed a number of times.

May 17, 2006 Alberta Hansard 1655 Access to information and privacy protection was and still is a significant next step in democratic empowerment. Democracy cannot work without informed citizens. Choices made in ignorance may be democratic, but they can also be prejudiced and persecuting. There’s nothing quite as unanimous as a lynch mob. For democracy to work, there must be due process, a pause to reflect, and knowl- edge to reflect on. For citizens to function on a jury, they need instruction and clarification on the facts of a case before rendering a verdict.

For the electorate to function as a jury on the government, the citizens must have a factual basis to assess the government’s performance. Sometimes those facts come forward in the govern- ment’s own announcements. Sometimes they come forward in response to questions by the opposition and media. The FOIP Act can assist both media and opposition in gathering facts on government, but it can also be used by the ordinary citizen pursuing a matter of either public or private interest. This was the intention of the freedom of information part of the act.

Bill Gates’ replacement of John Paul Getty as the world’s richest man illustrates that knowledge has replaced earlier forms of capital, such as land, as a means of power. While all persons may not be equally endowed, all persons are entitled to equal access to law and equal access to information on their governments. By protecting citizens’ privacy, including their private information, and simulta- neously giving them access to information on what their govern- ments are doing, it was hoped to restore a balance, to make the state the servant of the citizen rather than the reverse. This was the intent.

Unfortunately, a growing culture of secrecy has offset these gains, and democracy has