tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post5146215037216171234..comments2023-09-22T06:22:50.820-06:00Comments on Ken Chapman: Old Time Alberta Cons Still Angst over NEP and Threaten Separationkenchapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11384045981190810115noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-66084532836800397602007-02-05T23:13:00.000-07:002007-02-05T23:13:00.000-07:00I find regionalism totally pointless. If I was li...I find regionalism totally pointless. If I was living in Ft. Mac, I'd wonder why the hell all the gravy is going to Edmonton and especially Calgary. <br /><br />If the West separated, what would be the new capital, Vancouver? Sounds like we'd still be on the outside looking in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-18626779072846103922007-02-05T15:02:00.000-07:002007-02-05T15:02:00.000-07:00I understand that the NEP did not by itself destro...I understand that the NEP did not by itself destroy the AB economy. It was the thinking behind Trudeau's plan that has fostered AB's mistrust for the federal gov't. Screw the west, we'll get the rest - that mantra still seems to apply today with regards to the LPC (see Mark Holland's recent comments about oilsands, or Dion's statements about stopping the "gravy train").<br /><br />Yes, the NEP is over; however, the circumstances that gave rise to it could exist after the next election. A LPC federal government that receives no seats in AB and, thus, has no reason not to intrude in provincial rights.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-82116008716019504292007-02-05T13:53:00.000-07:002007-02-05T13:53:00.000-07:00In the reality of those days, the NEP has little r...In the reality of those days, the NEP has little real impact on Alberta's economy. <br /><br />What happened, as the NEP was being put in place, Bush 41 released American emergency oil reserves in response to middle east conflict issues. It was percieved as an oversupply and as a result the world price of oil dropped dramatically. That drop in price and the geopolitical perceptions versus reality of energy supply is what killed the Alberta economy back then. <br /><br />The NEP might have done it too but it was not operational enough to have an impact. It was Bush Sr. who in fact preempted its impact.<br /><br />Alberta's economy was crushed as a result in any event.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-21142631630204479022007-02-05T13:19:00.000-07:002007-02-05T13:19:00.000-07:00That the question as you phrase it. It seems to r...That the question as you phrase it. It seems to rest on the assertion that you have some type of enlightenment in realizing that constantly fighting with Canada does Alberta little good. For the most part, I would agree. However, we have learnt lessons from the past when we were permissive - should we have fought against the NEP despite it being a losing battle?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-10715544414821711302007-02-05T09:41:00.000-07:002007-02-05T09:41:00.000-07:00So eric - do we continue to live in the past or do...So eric - do we continue to live in the past or do we find new ways to move forward? That is the debate question within Alberta and its relationship with the ROC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-15579685118801499942007-02-05T08:59:00.000-07:002007-02-05T08:59:00.000-07:00Of course Alberta has been treated unfairly in the...Of course Alberta has been treated unfairly in the past. But why stoop to that level when we can raise up above it.<br /><br />As I said above I'm finally seeing this become a prevailing sentiment in Alberta.docsanchezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17291801225875936103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-1477590069054861122007-02-05T08:39:00.000-07:002007-02-05T08:39:00.000-07:00Ken, I live in Ottawa and I can tell you that the ...Ken, I live in Ottawa and I can tell you that the Ottawa-forces-that-be against Alberta are real and not pretty. <br /><br />Let's look at one example of "holding your breath" - Premier Williams of NFLD. He took down the Cdn flags and made a stink over equalization; guess what, he got what he wanted and his province, because of his strong leadership, is in a much better position than it was.<br /><br />I guess I just have a different view of Confederation than you do. History will illustrate that Alberta has not been treated kindly and this continues to be the case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-67997872922711070642007-02-04T17:39:00.000-07:002007-02-04T17:39:00.000-07:00The GOA has been in suspended animation for at lea...The GOA has been in suspended animation for at least 2 years while the PC leadership thing settled out. T<br /><br />he Party membership itself finally brought some focus to the lack of direction and governance wen it let Ralph know it was time to go last April 1. <br /><br />It has taken another year to get that leadership change over with and this spring session and budget ought to show they have turned the corner and gotten back into governing.<br /><br />About 15 months from now we will have an election and citizens can decide who, how and to what ends they want to be governed. That is when we can hopefuly get back on track and get some serious progress made. <br /><br />We have squandered so much time and opportunity in the past years it is to weep!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31415271.post-54245062253317000052007-02-04T17:11:00.000-07:002007-02-04T17:11:00.000-07:00Instead of waiting for Ottawa to come "get us" why...Instead of waiting for Ottawa to come "get us" why doesn't our provincial government take the proactive step of getting out front. I feel like a broken record when I say why don't we become leaders in confederation instead of just whiny spoiled brats (a carefully selected analogy). <br /><br />Fortunately I'm starting to feel this is becoming a prevailing attitude of most Albertans and the 10% minority is really becoming an outcast minority - in the way say smokers are. (But that's a different blog post.)docsanchezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17291801225875936103noreply@blogger.com