Swift reaction following Notley throne speech
Posted Mar 8, 2016 5:56 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The throne speech is getting plenty of reaction.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean says it raises taxes on businesses, puts more red tape in the system and punishes families.
Highlighting the carbon tax specifically, Jean thinks it can actually be effective in British Columbia and Ontario, but Notley’s system does not do that.
“All these jurisdictions are looking at revenue-neutral carbon taxes to actually change behaviour. This particular carbon tax, although described as the Premier as revenue-neutral, all the experts agree it is simply not the case,” said Jean.
Interim PC Leader Ric McIver is not impressed with the carbon tax announcement.
“When you’ve got 100,000 Albertans out of work, you would think that the Minister, who’s only job is to help them get work, would be reporting to those Albertans on progress, and not to some group of politicians in the back room,” said McIver.
He added, the throne speech lacked substance.
“The government hasn’t identified how they are going to help create jobs. With their Bill 1, all they have really done is give the minister authority to do stuff and create regulations and form committees and advisory panels. But no answers at all to the question from Alberta about how the government is going to create more jobs.”
The Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation says it’s clear the government’s priority is not debt repayment, but rather they go above and beyond the forecasted $10-billion deficit.
Alberta Director Paige McPherson says taxpayers will likely feel the burden now and for years to come.
“We also heard a lot about corporate welfare. The government, you know, I think has said that the time now is for restraint, a little bit, and yet it seems as though they’re going to be dishing out corporate welfare to companies in Alberta through green energy subsidies,” said McPherson.
She added, they’re encouraged by plans to streamline agencies, boards and commissions, and they’re hoping to see the government reduce it by 20 per cent.
Liberal Leader David Swann says it was lots of sentiment and intention on the economy and jobs, but he wants to know how they’re going to support small businesses, and he will continue to push on health care.
“The hospital system, the community care system, the long term care system, tremendous savings to be found there and I don’t see any indication that they are going to make those tough decisions,” said Swann.
