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Forum plays to a packed house as deregulation a key issue |
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Wednesday, 27 February 2008 |
Deregulation, affordable housing, taxes and the economy were the hot topics Monday night inside the Taber Legion.
By Garrett Simmons
Taber Times
MLA Paul Hinman of the Wildrose Alliance, former MLA Broyce Jacobs of the Progressive Conservatives and Ron Hancock of the Liberals were in town for the all-candidates forum, which was minus New Democrat candidate Suzanne Sirias and the Green Party's Will Turner.
Most of the night, the three Cardston-Taber-Warner candidates battled back and forth on the record of the Conservative government and the ideas for changes from the Alliance and Liberals.
On the issue of affordable housing, Hinman put the focus on limiting the costs for Albertans.
"We need to decrease municipal, provincial and federal taxes," said Hinman, who added decreasing those costs would help everyone deal with Alberta's growing economy.
However, he was quick to rule out any form of government interference on the matter.
"When government steps in to regulate, often times the problem gets worse," said Hinman, who added it is not the government's role to step in. Rather, the municipalities should have more power in housing matters, which means one thing - a need for more money. "Municipalities don't have the money in their communities to expand and take on new people."
Jacobs pointed to the positives the burgeoning economy has created and added eventually, the housing market, like other aspects of the economy, will level itself out.
"I'm grateful to live in a province with prosperity and a place people are still moving to. Government has to be careful, because business cycles will level out. We don't want to stop growth."
Hancock, on the other hand, said government action was needed, and reached into the past for part of the solution.
"We have to slow the demand and we have to build up the supply," said Hancock, who pointed to a 1972 plan he was part of, when low-income loans were doled out to Albertans to create low-cost housing.
The economy also drew a lot of attention, as the oil boom in the province, and worries that sector's glory days may not last forever, prompted a few questions from the gallery.
Hinman said Alberta needs a 10-year plan from its government, that is known to the business community. In turn, businesses will expand their services to meet the needs of the economy. Hinman added he wanted to see the province push for a capital investment savings plan, along the lines of an RRSP, to help businessmen create a little extra seed money to get innovative projects off the ground in a free-market economy.
Jacobs admitted an infrastructure deficit was created in the 1990s was partly to blame for some labour issues now in the province but added the government has taken steps to increase immigration. He went on to say the economy needed to see some diversification as well.
"I think we need to look at the value-added concept," said Jacobs, who added it was key to keep Alberta products in Alberta.
Hancock said he was not convinced rapid growth was good, and added taxes on small businesses are becoming too burdensome. With that, costs need to be brought down for businesses to be able to thrive.
The Liberal candidate went on to say a more-qualified workforce is also important.
"Education is the No. 1 priority for diversification," said Hancock, who added Alberta should also go back to a policy where value-added industries are more important in the province.
But for all the issues, it was deregulation that dominated discussion. For Hinman, the term deregulation was misleading Albertans, as he preferred to look at the scheme in a different way.
"The electrical system is not deregulation - it was monopolized. When you monopolize something, it's not in the best interest of the society as a whole. It's cost Albertans billions."
He added Alberta needs to open up a true competitive system. Hinman said he would like to see a program for windmills and renewable-energy projects similar to the capital-cost-allowance program for the oilsands, which would help give seed money to those looking to get such projects off the ground.
"Then, if you produce the energy, you should get compensated," said Hinman, who added more access is also needed to the electrical grid, so co-ops, private entrepeneurs and the like can try and compete.
Hancock was equally critical of deregulation.
"Deregulation was the biggest mistake the government has made in the last 20 years. We have the highest utility rates in Western Canada," said Hancock, who added the scheme has resulted in nothing more than transferring money from rural Alberta to Edmonton and Calgary, where the big companies like EPCOR and Enmax are based.
Jacobs defended the system, and said in time, the system will correct itself.
"The free-enterprise system works the best," said Jacobs, who also defended the rights of utility companies to make a profit. "I would hope the government wouldn't legislate what percentage of profit I can make."
Jacobs said Alberta is investing in windpower generation and is looking into biomass, and added Albertans still have adequate power in this province. He added it was probably too late for the province to abolish deregulation.
Other topics, such as education, social issues and worries over the concentration of government power were also discussed but in the end, according to Hancock, the election March 3 will not be about individual candidates, or even a few key issues..
"It all comes down to, do we want to see changes in government, or don't we?"
He added a Liberal government could represent that change or at the very least, act as a closer watchdog on the Progressive Conservatives.
"I believe democracy depends on checks and balances, and those checks and balances are gone, and I'd like to see them come back."
That sentiment was echoed by Hinman, who pointed out some of the policy changes he has helped enact as part of the legislature, even as the lone Wildrose Alliance MLA. He added he would like to see a strong, and true conservative opposition to the Conservatives.
"This government won't put the power in the people's hands. It's a struggle when the government has a majority and the government can dictate from the top down. It's easier to change the government than change the behaviour of the government."
Jacobs stressed the riding needs representation from an MLA that is in the government, and pointed out over the last three years when he was not MLA, he managed to bring government ministers to the riding to discuss concerns he had.
"I'm looking forward to working with the government," he said, and added he knows Premier Ed Stelmach is working on behalf of the best interests of Albertans and Cardston-Taber-Warner would benefit from a PC connection. "We live a long way from Edmonton, and it's important to have government representation." |
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