MLAReport: The greenest pastures are right here in Alberta
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on May 18, 2018.
I recently came across a picture of the magazine Canada West from 1913 the cover was a photo of a man walking his horse through an endless field of grain emblazoned with the promise of Land, A Living, and Wealth to anyone willing to work. As much as Alberta has changed and modernized, at its core, it remains much the same as it did over a century ago; a land full of opportunity for those willing to work. It is that promise that attracted immigrants from around the world to this harsh and unforgiving land. For most of Alberta’s history, Albertans had governments that understood that the best way to foster and grow wealth for all Albertans. This required a government that lived within its means, kept taxes low, supported society’s most vulnerable, and nurtured an economy that attracted business and investment. For over a century this receipt resulted in a province, and a people, that flourished. Unfortunately, since the NDP government was elected, the province has lost focus on these critical components and it has resulted in a province that is less successful and less able to care for its most vulnerable. As a result Alberta has seen thousands of its job creators abandon this province for “greener pastures” outside of Alberta. One of the most important components to ensuring lasting wealth and prosperity is for government to live within its means. Unfortunately Premier RachelNotley’s government has done nothing to address this. Instead Finance Minister Joe Ceci has increased spending 16 per cent since 2015 with no plans to slow down. The NDP government has delivered four consecutive deficit budgets and will balloon the province’s debt to $96 billion by 2023. Who, ultimately, pays for this irresponsible spending? A recent University of Calgary School of Public Policy report indicates a 16 years-old in Alberta can expect to pay more than $42,000 over their lifetime just to cover the interest on Alberta’s debt, not including the income taxes they will already pay over the course of their life. For those aged 36 years old the news is worse, they will pay nearly $50,000! Imagine what these young Albertans could do with an extra $40,000? If a 16 year-old Albertan were to invest that $40,000 into a Registered Retirement Savings Plan by the time they retire it would have grown to over $100,000. Instead they will line the pockets of bankers on Bay Street instead of preparing for their futures. Unfortunately, the underlying issue is that the NDP doesn’t understand Alberta. This has grown more obvious over the course of their term in office. While this province’s most recent success is largely due to our oil and gas industry, it was agriculture that built this province. More specifically, the family farm. If the NDP understood this fact, they would never have introduced Bill 6 in the fall of 2015. The Bill has resulted in needless regulatory hurdles for our producers and increased hardship for families simply trying to live out their Alberta dream — a dream that feeds all of us. Albertans deserve a government that understands what they need. They need a government focused on controlled spending, attracting investment, and ensuring that Albertans are provided the opportunity to succeed in the future. Further, they deserve a government that recognizes the role of our foundational industries like agriculture. That has always been the attraction of Alberta. Alberta is the land of opportunity, it’s time we get it back on track. Drew Barnes is the MLA (UCP) for the Cypress-Medicine Hat constituency. 10-9
