tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post2966236356166057727..comments2023-09-22T06:22:50.820-06:00Comments on Ken Chapman: Manning Wants a More Comprehensive Policy Approach in Alberta - and He is Rightkenchapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-44618873136661506832007-11-09T12:37:00.000-07:002007-11-09T12:37:00.000-07:00anonymous 11:14am,"There is nothing about Stelmach...anonymous 11:14am,<BR/>"There is nothing about Stelmach's education, training or experience which equips him to deal with the complexities of the royalty regime"<BR/><BR/>Oh, really now. And what experience, may I ask, has Preston Manning with respect to running a government? Answer: zero. Being resigned to the Opposition benches for his entire career does not qualify. Last time I looked, Manning also did not have a background in the oil and gas industry, so how much more do his comments mean than yours or mine?<BR/><BR/>Prime Minister Harper was not a diplomat prior to becoming PM, yet he seems to be doing a good job on the world stage.<BR/><BR/>No leader, whether at home or on the world stage, could have prior direct experience in every issue that may arise. Your idea of a "philosopher king" is a little old.<BR/><BR/>Premier Stelmach has more than a decade of cabinet experience in several roles. Specific energy industry experience would be beneficial, but is not required. Contrary to the beliefs of some, there is more to governing Alberta than running the Department of Energy. And even there, we have today as Energy Minister one of the best qualified people in a generation.<BR/><BR/>Mel Knight spent his pre-political life in the oil & gas service business. He owned a company. Better yet, he was successful at it. So I think he knows a few things about decline rates, shallow gas rights reversion, and rig utilization.<BR/><BR/>Funny how the people that disparage the royalty decision - which was made using the expertise of the Energy Department - disparage the apparent lack of knowledge available. These same people evidently had no problem with the department in the Klein days. Correct me if I am wrong, but there was no wholesale change in staff when Ralph retired. If the people were capable then, they are now, non?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-13287820694358287012007-11-08T11:14:00.000-07:002007-11-08T11:14:00.000-07:00Manning raised the issue of competence and you men...Manning raised the issue of competence and you mentioned statistics on trust. These are not related. There is nothing about Stelmach's education, training or experience which equips him to deal with the complexities of the royalty regime. Manning is right. <BR/><BR/>Stelmach's lack of competence can be somewhat remedied by an open and transparent process. Why does Mr. Stelmach refuse to make public the expert opinions and analyses provided to the government and the royalty review panel?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-40830647297561039442007-11-07T08:57:00.000-07:002007-11-07T08:57:00.000-07:00Anon @ 9:27 - I don't think that federal funds in ...Anon @ 9:27 - I don't think that federal funds in to Alberta will happen. <BR/><BR/>Harper believes he has Alberta in the bag and so why spend money on rich Albertans even though we are part of the country. <BR/><BR/>Harper believe we can be relied upon to accept that we are second class citizens in the nation.<BR/><BR/>This benign neglect from Harper towards Alberta is all over the place...I know it in terms of responses to mountain pine beetle. <BR/><BR/>It is going to feed the energy of 8-10% of Albertans who are separatists. I have always said it iwll be Alberta that is the first to invoke the Clarity Act - not Quebec.<BR/><BR/>Alberta and BC can make it on their own...Quebec - not so much.kenchapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-32830119120877428972007-11-06T21:27:00.000-07:002007-11-06T21:27:00.000-07:00Any idea if Alberta is going to sign a deal simila...Any idea if Alberta is going to sign a deal similar to BC. The Conservative Party of Canada committed over $2.2 billion to infrastructure in BC - do you know if there is something similar going to happen in Alberta? I am surprised the LPC did not invest in these types of programs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-50977558340280184602007-11-06T10:47:00.000-07:002007-11-06T10:47:00.000-07:00Anon @ 8:10 - Manning may not know about the on-go...Anon @ 8:10 - Manning may not know about the on-going dealings between the GOA and Suncor/Syncrude to look at renegotiating the old royalty agreements.<BR/><BR/>He may be caught in the rhetoric of the energy nay-sayers and MSM business writers who have characterized the negotiations in this way. <BR/><BR/>I always presume the best in people until they prove otherwise. It is a happier way to live.<BR/><BR/>On the main Manning message I think he is right on that we have to tie in taxes, security of continental energy supply and environmental integrity (and I would add better decision making) into the Alberta energy strategy right away. <BR/><BR/>Royalties are about balancing public and private economic interests. As important as that is, it is only a piece of the large challenge.kenchapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-10519664472811542512007-11-06T08:10:00.000-07:002007-11-06T08:10:00.000-07:00I do not understand. You say you have to admire P...I do not understand. You say you have to admire Peter Lougheed and Preston Manning, but then go on the say that Manning accuses the Tories of tearing up agreements, when in fact he knows that is not the case.<BR/><BR/>Overlooking someone's blatant misrepresentation, because he has a "greater goal" sounds a lot like Harper's "Ends Justify the Means" philosophy. And all along I thought you were not keen on the current PM ;-)<BR/><BR/>Frankly, Manning has never had to negotiate/renegotiate any sort of government agreement, because he never actually formed a government. He may want to keep that in mind, next time he decides to mouth off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com