Candidate Q&A: Cypress-Medicine Hat

By Medicine Hat News on May 27, 2023.

With the Alberta general election set to take place on Monday, the News posed four questions to candidates running in the ridings of Brooks-Medicine Hat and Cypress-Medicine Hat, ranging from corporate tax cuts to laboratory service wait times.

Candidates were given 100 words to respond to the following questions. Responses have been edited for spelling and grammar.

1. Both major parties are proposing changes to tax rates and argue about their respective effects. Another crash in the price of oil and already in natural gas may make the question moot, however. How do you plan on making the province less dependent on oil and gas revenue?

2. Minimum wage has not gone up since 2018, and no longer meets the cost of living. What are your plans to help address this discrepancy?

3. Wait times are a major complaint for many Albertans requiring lab services. How do you plan on helping to shorten these wait times?

4. Major renewable energy projects are proceeding at a very fast pace, providing local investment and tax revenue, but with concerns about unsightliness and power costs. Why is your party the best suited to manage developments in the sector?

Responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Cypress-Medicine Hat

Cody Both (Independence Party of Alberta)

1. To make the province less dependent on oil and gas revenue, the Independence Party of Alberta proposes a diversified approach to the economy. We believe in investing in renewable energy sectors such as wind, solar, and geothermal, which can create new jobs and attract sustainable industries. Additionally, we support promoting innovation and technology in areas like agriculture, forestry, and tourism to foster economic growth and reduce reliance on non-renewable resources.

2. Recognizing the need to address the discrepancy between the minimum wage and the cost of living, the Independence Party of Alberta supports regular reviews of the minimum wage to ensure it keeps pace with inflation and the needs of Albertans. We believe in fair compensation for workers and will work towards establishing a living wage that allows individuals and families to meet their basic needs and thrive in our province.

3. To tackle the issue of long wait times for lab services, the Independence Party of Alberta proposes a multi-faceted approach. We will invest in increasing the capacity of laboratories, hire additional lab technicians and support staff, and explore innovative solutions such as expanded hours of operation and mobile lab services in rural areas. By addressing bottlenecks in the system and prioritizing efficient and timely delivery of lab services, we aim to reduce wait times and improve the overall healthcare experience for Albertans.

4. The Independence Party of Alberta is committed to managing renewable energy developments in a balanced and responsible manner. We recognize the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources while addressing concerns about unsightliness and power costs. Our approach involves collaborating with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that renewable energy projects are appropriately located, taking into account environmental impact assessments and community feedback. We will also work towards implementing effective regulatory frameworks and incentives to promote renewable energy investment and job creation while mitigating potential negative effects.

Cathy Hogg (NDP)

1. The Alberta NDP will work to build a resilient economy, one that creates good-paying jobs and exciting opportunities for generations to come. Our province is an energy leader, and we will also be leaders in renewable energy. Diversification is not a luxury; it is a necessity. We have a plan to attract $20 billion in private-sector capital investment and create 47,000 good-paying jobs. The plan focuses on the creation of the Alberta’s Future Tax Credit to spur investment in cleantech, carbon materials, critical minerals processing, and advanced manufacturing. We will aggressively reward investment and growth that creates jobs and long-term resilience.

2. Many in Alberta’s business community have advocated for a minimum wage that is tied to inflation. We will work with business to establish a predictable, rational schedule for minimum wage, and we will work with business leaders to ensure Alberta’s wages remain competitive during a time of labour shortage. The discriminatory youth minimum wage has been administratively complex for businesses, so we will eliminate it. Our approach, when combined with a zero per cent small business tax rate and a restoration of the STEP subsidy program, will be good for Alberta families, for businesses, and for Alberta’s economy.

3. We have heard many stories of the long waits for lab tests and right here in Medicine Hat those waits are putting extra pressure on our hospital because patients can’t get tests done in less than four or five days, so they are sent to the hospital. We will review the private health service contracts signed by the UCP government for community labs run by DynaLife. We will look at the parts of the contracts that have not been publicly released to see how DynaLife can be held accountable to their obligations. We will also launch a robust health-care recruitment strategy.

4. We are at a pivotal moment in time and the decisions we make today will have long-lasting implications for future generations. We know you cannot pit the economy against the environment. Our economy is changing, and we must be ready. We are committed to achieving net-zero by 2050. This is what investors are looking for and we’ve already seen our energy sector take significant steps towards getting there. Alberta is an energy leader, and we must also lead in our responsibility to make responsible choices for the climate. We know Albertans have the expertise to make our province a leader in renewable energy.

Justin Wright (UCP)

1. If the past year of watching the horrific invasion of Ukraine has shown us anything, that is that the world needs a reliable and secure supply of responsibly produced energy. Our focus is to continue diversifying our economy so we can have industries like film & television, fintech, aviation, and others boosting our economy, alongside our vibrant oil and gas sector as we work to reduce emissions. Thanks to our UCP government Albertans and Alberta businesses benefit from one of the lowest and most competitive business taxes in North America, experience ongoing reduction of bureaucratic and administrative red tape, and are home to one of the friendliest business environments our nation has ever seen.

2. Alberta’s economy has momentum, and more jobs are being created every month. Even as more Canadians choose to move to Alberta and make their home here, our unemployment rate is staying low. Right now, Alberta has a record number of people working and a record number of people working full-time. That means more individuals and families can count on regular paycheques. In addition, those paycheques are higher. Alberta has the highest average weekly wages in the country, at $1,274. A United Conservative government will continue working to build our economy and support the creation of more jobs

3. Several actions have been taken to reduce wait times and improve service. DynaLIFE, with support from Alberta Health Services is actively recruiting additional staff and bringing in staff from other areas of the province to help in communities of high demand. Other improvements include expanding operations throughout several key locations across the province.

4. Under the United Conservative government, Alberta experienced the fastest growth in renewables in Canada and we currently are leading the country in renewable development. Thanks to our energy-only electricity market, which our UCP government recommitted to in 2019, Alberta has attracted billions in generation projects including well over $2 billion in renewable generation. We will continue to support our growing renewables sector through maintaining our business-friendly and investment-attracting environment.

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