MLA Report: Trudeau, feds have a long way to go with Albertans
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on November 15, 2019.
In 1651, Anthony Weldon first documented what is now a well-known saying, but was then just an Italian proverb: “He that deceives me once, it’s his fault; but if twice, it’s my fault.” These were the words I couldn’t get out of my head on an election night that saw the re-election of Justin Trudeau and the Liberals, with 157 seats and 33% of the popular vote. Yet, upon reflection, the proverb doesn’t really fit the election result for three reasons. First, Justin’s father Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s third-longest-serving prime minister, winning four federal elections during his time as Liberal leader. Second, Western Canada didn’t actually support either Trudeau very much. Pierre Trudeau famously won no seats at all west of Manitoba, while Justin Trudeau’s new minority government holds no seats in Alberta or Saskatchewan. Third, a better future for our children, our community and our province lies not in revisiting mistakes in the rearview mirror, but in positive ideas that will move us forward. I have written and talked at great length about all the advantages we have as a province. Albertans are the best entrepreneurs, we are fifth in the world at exporting agricultural products, and we sit on the world’s third largest oil reserve. We aren’t about to let a little thing like the government in Ottawa get in our way. Now, as a provincial politician I hesitate to stray too far into federal politics. However, addressing certain federal issues has become essential to ensure the prosperity and well-being of Albertans. It is time for all Albertans, including my colleagues in Edmonton and our 34 new and returning federal representatives to insist that Justin Trudeau and his federal government do the following: 1. Guarantee a firm timeline for oil to flow through the Trans Mountain pipeline 2. Approve at least two other pipelines, to avoid a repeat of this situation in the future 3. Scrap the equalization formula 4. Transfer tax points currently collected by the federal government to the province 5. Get to work on aspects of electoral reform such as recall legislation, term limits, transforming or abolishing the Senate and a fairer provincial seat distribution Feelings of unfairness fester and grow over time. Those feelings went unaddressed for the last four years. Alberta, and Canada, can’t afford another four. Drew Barnes is MLA (UCP) for Cypress-Medicine Hat constituency. 16-15
Yes…
I remember last fall when the UCP voted for Bill 26 (to index AISH and senior’s benefits to inflation).
And not only did the UCP vote for it they were very strong with their support for it. They supported and voted for Bill 26 without debate on future budgets. They just supported it, knowing they were going to screw people with disabilities and the seniors when they formed the government.
So on November 15 when Drew Barnes used the quote, “He that deceives me once, it’s his fault; but if twice, it’s my fault” he may come to learn just how true those words are in 2013.
You mean 2023, Les Landry?
Yes, 2023, thank you.
I, personally, would rather Mr. Barnes took the time to write about the UCP measures being taken provincially that affect their constituents.
It’s fine that party members are required to express support for their leader and overall direction, but Alberta’s current fiscal mess could’ve been avoided internally through better management throughout the Conservative years. The corporate tax cuts, cancellation of oil by rail, and multitudes of other cuts / non-continuation of grants / funding… that’s what’s really affecting our province’s budget at present, and fanning the flames of western alienation, including the ridiculous notion that Alberta could survive as an independent… smoke and mirrors.
Lastly, for someone who hardly has an opportunity to speak when in legislature, it seems that Mr. Barnes is forced to rely on Scheer/Kenney agendas in order provide enough content for his ghostwriter to work with for these monthly contributions.