I have not read this report on the oil sands by Linda Duncan - MP for Edmonton Strathcona yet...but I will soon.
I disagree with Linda politically on a few issues and agree with her on many others. We both share a passion for good music and Leonard Cohen in particular went together to his concert in Edmonton earlier this year. Full disclosure of my bias and friendship with Linda.
One thing for sure you cannot question Linda's integrity, honesty, accountability and transparency when it comes to her application of her environmental expertise. Based on that I suggest every Albertan, as an individual owner of the oil sands read her report. Reflect on the implications and come to your own conclusion as to the implications for the responsible development of our resource.
Here is the link and I look forward to a full and open discussion on the content on this blog.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Gaming Rivals Royalties in Alberta Coffers
Albertans own some of the greatest and largest collection of natural resources to generate wealth now and for future generations. Those include forestry, coal, oil, gas and oil sands in abundance. But are we getting good value from our tenants? Are we getting good management from our government? How are they jointly providing for the proper stewardship? Are they taking a comprehensive long-term integrated development approach that embraces the social, political, cultural, ecological and economic elements related to exploitation of our resources.
If so, why then do we only expect to collect revenues from those resources at about the same level as we garner from gambling in the province? What is wrong with this picture? This is a perfect storm example of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Gambling revenues are apparently highly concentrated from a small and not very wealthy portion of the population and is a very socially expensive tax system.
Non renewable resources have only one time to generate royalty revenues from our natural capital. But we forgo them in exchange for subsidized jobs in the energy sector especially. This is nothing short or selling out the birthright of future generations as we use these capital revenues to subsidize our about a third of current public service programs instead of taxing our selves properly to pay our way.
Instead we adhere to a narrow-minded Alberta Advantage mantra of low taxes at all costs. Foolish and selfish are the only conclusions one can come to when gambling is as important a public revenue source as natural resources.
Any political party prepared to suggest to Albertans that we return to our self-reliant, self-respecting and resilient selves and actually pay our own way for health care, schools, seniors, safe communities and so forth. that may mean a rise in taxes and a closer look at value for money as taxpayers. It also beg the question of the proper role of government and the appropriate level of funding for government to do the jobs we ask of it.
Time to wake up and grow up Alberta. We got serious about getting rid of debt and deficits in the early 90s in no small part so we would not leave that burden on our children and could look them in the eye. Not so sure we can do that now. This is especially true given how we are squandering such resource wealth and opportunity and at the same time stifling our capacity for caring, compassion and dignity for the young, vulnerable and marginalized in our society by under funded government programs because we will not pay our way as taxpayers.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
If so, why then do we only expect to collect revenues from those resources at about the same level as we garner from gambling in the province? What is wrong with this picture? This is a perfect storm example of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Gambling revenues are apparently highly concentrated from a small and not very wealthy portion of the population and is a very socially expensive tax system.
Non renewable resources have only one time to generate royalty revenues from our natural capital. But we forgo them in exchange for subsidized jobs in the energy sector especially. This is nothing short or selling out the birthright of future generations as we use these capital revenues to subsidize our about a third of current public service programs instead of taxing our selves properly to pay our way.
Instead we adhere to a narrow-minded Alberta Advantage mantra of low taxes at all costs. Foolish and selfish are the only conclusions one can come to when gambling is as important a public revenue source as natural resources.
Any political party prepared to suggest to Albertans that we return to our self-reliant, self-respecting and resilient selves and actually pay our own way for health care, schools, seniors, safe communities and so forth. that may mean a rise in taxes and a closer look at value for money as taxpayers. It also beg the question of the proper role of government and the appropriate level of funding for government to do the jobs we ask of it.
Time to wake up and grow up Alberta. We got serious about getting rid of debt and deficits in the early 90s in no small part so we would not leave that burden on our children and could look them in the eye. Not so sure we can do that now. This is especially true given how we are squandering such resource wealth and opportunity and at the same time stifling our capacity for caring, compassion and dignity for the young, vulnerable and marginalized in our society by under funded government programs because we will not pay our way as taxpayers.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Canadians Split on Oil Sands Development???
Asked if energy is more important than environment Canadians are split 51-49. Ipsos Reid poll for CBC shows no clear opinion on that opinion.
Even more important is 41% of Canadians don't know or don't care about oil sands implications one way or the other. Are 40% of Canadians naturally oblivious or just living under a rock?
Maritimers are mostly concerned about energy over environment - it couldn't be Fort McMurray jobs tainting that opinion could it? Surprisingly Ontario has a economic over environment bias too.
The moral of this story is that Canadians are not yet decided on the best options for oil sands development. Our research at Cambridge Strategies shows Albertans are much more decisive when you ask them about the values they attribute to development of THEIR oil sands.
None of this polling predicts behaviour unfortunately. Our research on the values that Albertans want to drive and guide oil sands are unequivocal that reclamation, habitat, ecological monitoring GHG and water usage trump the economic issues. There is still a large Alberta swing vote in the middle that could go against for for the oil sands development and there is an erosion of pride in the oil sands by the most educated, influential and progressive parts of the population.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Even more important is 41% of Canadians don't know or don't care about oil sands implications one way or the other. Are 40% of Canadians naturally oblivious or just living under a rock?
Maritimers are mostly concerned about energy over environment - it couldn't be Fort McMurray jobs tainting that opinion could it? Surprisingly Ontario has a economic over environment bias too.
The moral of this story is that Canadians are not yet decided on the best options for oil sands development. Our research at Cambridge Strategies shows Albertans are much more decisive when you ask them about the values they attribute to development of THEIR oil sands.
None of this polling predicts behaviour unfortunately. Our research on the values that Albertans want to drive and guide oil sands are unequivocal that reclamation, habitat, ecological monitoring GHG and water usage trump the economic issues. There is still a large Alberta swing vote in the middle that could go against for for the oil sands development and there is an erosion of pride in the oil sands by the most educated, influential and progressive parts of the population.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Monday, September 27, 2010
A PC MLA Speaks Her Mind on Public Education
Genia Leskiw, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Bonnyville Cold Lake has written a very interesting piece on her website. It takes direct aim at the Wildrose Alliance Education Policy. You can form you own opinions about the Wildrose policy
I love the political spunk and personal exercise of free speech that Genia represents in this posting. MLAs need to speak out more often like this and on critical issues of the day. They also need to be able to change their minds based on new knowledge and better information from time to time without being accused of flip flopping.
Tip of the Hat to Daveberta for the link and good for you Genia. You make me proud to know you.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
I love the political spunk and personal exercise of free speech that Genia represents in this posting. MLAs need to speak out more often like this and on critical issues of the day. They also need to be able to change their minds based on new knowledge and better information from time to time without being accused of flip flopping.
Tip of the Hat to Daveberta for the link and good for you Genia. You make me proud to know you.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Envision Edmonton Going to Court Over Muni?
Media report says the Envision Edmonton group is off to court to try and get a ruling to force City Council to hold a plebiscite.
Waiting to see what the grounds for judicial review will be but those reported in the Edmonton Journal don't seem all that strong. Saying for instance suggestions that the Municipal Government Act requiring a petition to be filed within 60 days of the council vote under dispute is trumped by the Mayor's "open invitation to come up with visions for the airport" made the petition legit???? Coming up with a proposed vision is legit but to say a call for planning options for city lands take precedence over the laws of the province - that is a stretch.
The law also says the City Clerk does not have to provide scrutineers in the review of the validity of petition signatures. The City Clerk is an administrator not a political operative. There is a need for open disclosure and reasons for disallowing certain signatures by the City Clerk. That is being promised "once the rush to deal with the start of the civic election was completed." This court action should wait to see the reasons for rejections. It may make the entire litigation exercise functus.
I wonder what FOIP restrictions apply to those disallowed signatures? I hope that is not a barrier to Envision Edmonton or others from reviewing, rejecting or validating the disallowed signatures. Looking forward to seeing the analysis and evidence behind the City Clerk's decisions to reject certain signatures.
Going to court is an interesting tactic but it is not the solution long term. I applaud Envision Edmonton, its volunteers and financial backers - whoever they may be for this exercise in citizen engagement. That said, the likelihood of getting the requisite number of signatures on a petition in 60 days is pretty impossible in a large city like Edmonton that is embedded in a dynamic surrounding region where confusion as to eligibility is going to be a problem.
I wonder is we can't use the technology we have available via the Internet to allow for a notice to go out to eligible citizens and allow them to sign an electronic petition on line. To get face-to-face with that many people i that short a time makes the plebiscite protest a moot solution.
Edmonton is becoming active in open data and may be a leader amongst municipalities in Canada in that regard. Internet petitioning is not a walk in the park but it is doable and we should, as a smart city, start thinking about how to make that happen. Just about everyone has email these days and those that don't can sign up the old-fashioned way if they wish.
The Province will have to change the Municipal Government Act but that is possible once the mechanics of Internet petitioning to identify eligible citizens are worked out. Service Canada has a secure system for Internet access by individuals to their own records all worked out. It has been done before and can be done for this purpose - and others so why not do it. It will also advance a strengthened democracy and enable more effective informed citizen engagement - both of which are in serious need of support these days.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Waiting to see what the grounds for judicial review will be but those reported in the Edmonton Journal don't seem all that strong. Saying for instance suggestions that the Municipal Government Act requiring a petition to be filed within 60 days of the council vote under dispute is trumped by the Mayor's "open invitation to come up with visions for the airport" made the petition legit???? Coming up with a proposed vision is legit but to say a call for planning options for city lands take precedence over the laws of the province - that is a stretch.
The law also says the City Clerk does not have to provide scrutineers in the review of the validity of petition signatures. The City Clerk is an administrator not a political operative. There is a need for open disclosure and reasons for disallowing certain signatures by the City Clerk. That is being promised "once the rush to deal with the start of the civic election was completed." This court action should wait to see the reasons for rejections. It may make the entire litigation exercise functus.
I wonder what FOIP restrictions apply to those disallowed signatures? I hope that is not a barrier to Envision Edmonton or others from reviewing, rejecting or validating the disallowed signatures. Looking forward to seeing the analysis and evidence behind the City Clerk's decisions to reject certain signatures.
Going to court is an interesting tactic but it is not the solution long term. I applaud Envision Edmonton, its volunteers and financial backers - whoever they may be for this exercise in citizen engagement. That said, the likelihood of getting the requisite number of signatures on a petition in 60 days is pretty impossible in a large city like Edmonton that is embedded in a dynamic surrounding region where confusion as to eligibility is going to be a problem.
I wonder is we can't use the technology we have available via the Internet to allow for a notice to go out to eligible citizens and allow them to sign an electronic petition on line. To get face-to-face with that many people i that short a time makes the plebiscite protest a moot solution.
Edmonton is becoming active in open data and may be a leader amongst municipalities in Canada in that regard. Internet petitioning is not a walk in the park but it is doable and we should, as a smart city, start thinking about how to make that happen. Just about everyone has email these days and those that don't can sign up the old-fashioned way if they wish.
The Province will have to change the Municipal Government Act but that is possible once the mechanics of Internet petitioning to identify eligible citizens are worked out. Service Canada has a secure system for Internet access by individuals to their own records all worked out. It has been done before and can be done for this purpose - and others so why not do it. It will also advance a strengthened democracy and enable more effective informed citizen engagement - both of which are in serious need of support these days.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
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