Musings, Meanderings and Meanings

Morton’s Machinations
I am delighted with the death of Bill 208 but would have liked to see the vote happen in the daylight of the Legislature so we could tell where the individual MLA’s were on defending minority human rights. The PC caucus did the right thing (eventually) a few years ago deciding by a 2/3 majority not to appeal the Vriend case but that was done behind the closed doors of a party caucus meeting. To those provincial politicians who might think personal religious beliefs trump individual Charter Rights all I can say is sometimes you have to put away your principles and do the right thing ;-}.

Fed Funds for Highway 63
Congrats to Wood Buffalo MP Brian Jean and the Hon. Ty Lund, Alberta’s hard working Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. on bringing to fruition federal funding towards twinning some of Highway 63 to Fort McMurray. Ironically the former federal Liberal government was prepared to pay half the entire twinning before the 2004 federal election but the “Honourable” Guy Boutilier, the local MLA and the “Honourable” Lyle Oberg, the then Min of Infrastructure and Transportation seemed, “less than interested in federal assistance.” Then some high profile tragic deaths and the increasing numbers of accidents on 63 draws media attention and increases the public’s demands to fix the problem. Dr. Oberg gets kicked out of caucus and cabinet and we get better departmental leadership under Ty Lund and the very good constituency work of federal MP Brian Jean and voila – it happens...fed funds will finally flow for this project.

Local MLA Guy Boutilier has known for years that Highway 63 is part of the national highway system and therefore eligible for federal dollars. He did nothing to make it happen earlier, when it should have and could have. Why?

Oberg’s Musings on Industry Providing Housing in Fort McMurray
PC Leadership candidate and recently reinstated PC caucus member. Dr. Lyle Oberg says, in recent media reports, that industry should provide employee housing in Fort McMurray if they need it so desperately. Good thinking Lyle. The companies were prepared to do that over two years ago. The province’s response was a meaningless meandering through a political miasma around its land release policy and process. The province then had, and still has, total control over the only new developable residential land in the Fort McMurray area.

A number of companies had asked the government for these lands to be released to them so they could build housing for the construction and operations of oil sands projects they were committed to build. The CNRL Horizon project in particular was very active in pursuing the market price purchase of land from the province. They were undertaking to do the servicing, subdivision and development work and then to contract out the house construction but Oberg was then amongst the naysayer within the government at the time who killed the concept.

Months passed, RFP’s for land sales were issued and called back and finally a small amount of developable government owned land was released for bid. The remaining government land is still being released in phases, by the Seniors department if you can believe that. You are to be forgiven if you think this sound like a government process and policy proposal from the now defunct Rhinoceros Party. CNRL instead build a huge airstrip next to their project, they lease jumbo jets and fly workers in and home again on a regular schedule from all over the country. This adds to the overall project costs meaning you and I enjoy the extension of the 1% royalty rates on this project a lot longer due to the higher project costs this solution has incurred. Thanks Lyle.

Where was Lyle Oberg with this bright idea when industry was actually proposing it? Where was Oberg, the then Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation in coming forth to provide the necessary roads, overpasses, schools, hospital and long term care expansion and other local infrastructure requirements necessary and that go along with housing demands in Fort McMurray? The evidence was all in the 2004 Wood Buffalo Business Case. He has been a central player in creating the problems in Fort McMurray today.

The Rhinoceros Party slogan used to be “If you think the problems are bad…just wait until you see our solutions.” I can just imagine what other “solutions” Dr. Oberg has in store for us should he win this leadership race and becomes Alberta’s next Premier – heaven forbid.

Is Bill 208 About the Kind of Alberta You Want?

Dr. Morton’s Bill 208 is potentially a demarcation point for Alberta – do we retreat behind a political and socially conservative “firewall” or do we pursue a future that is vibrant, diverse tolerant and inclusive? Do we engage the world as it is – not as we wish it was - or worse yet, that a small but active group “deems” it to be?

If the vision of Alberta represented by Bill 208 and Dr. Morton's intent to isoloate Alberta from Canada behind a policy firewall is the main stream consciousness then the people of this province are in for a bundle of trouble. If it is not the main stream thinking, then those of us with a different perspective better pony up Five Bucks for a PC membership, get engaged in the leadership issues and show up to vote for our view of the future. That means vote Hancock, Stelmach or Dinning…ideally Hancock who best represents this progressive conservative perspective!

The Calgary Herald recently had a front page story on a Leger poll saying Dinning and Oberg are potentially statistically tied based on the polling margin of error. Based on the same margin or error it would be just as accurate to say they are potentially far apart with Dinning showing a commanding lead. Just as important is the poll finding that Hancock and Morton were tied in third place. Only one of them will make it to the second ballot.

The Leger Poll results are not even close to being conclusive because 44 - 45 % of Albertans say they are currnetly undecided about who they support but the potential of a Morton victory is real and sobering.

The blogosphere is very active about Dr. Morton's Bill 208 – mostly in opposition from what I have seen. This proposed legislation and its future impact is a symbolic turning point for Alberta. Do we try a “perfect” a view of Alberta of the 1950’s or are we ready to be pioneers for our times and explore the potential of this province in the diverse greater context of Canada and the world?

Staying undecided in the PC leadership race is neither a smart or realistic choice. We have to make up our minds about the kind of Alberta we want and decide who we think can help get us there. Then we have to exercise our democratic rights if we are to be part of defining our future. Right now that means participating in the PC leadership selection process. It is more than a party leadership at stake - it is the premiership of the entire province for the next two years that is being decided too. That means the outcome directly impacts your life. In a democracy you always get the kind of government you deserve – especially if you opt out or are indifferent.

On the Left Bank of the Left Coast

I am veggin' in Tofino for a week or so - expect fewer entries in the next few days. I will be blogging but in a more relaxed fashion.

The recently released Integrated Energy Vision interests me and I have downloaded it for "reflection." The new Leger Poll showing Oberg and Dinning in a virtual deadheat for first with Hancock and Morton tied for third is fascinating...just as much at the 45% undecided. Looking forward to looking at the real data and doing some analysis. This one is no shoe-in for anyone and is far from over.

Campaigns matter and this one is proving that reality yet again. Dinning and Hancock have one progressive vision for the province whereas Oberg and Morton represent a very different view and would take us in a regressive and disasterous direction to my mind.

Holidays matter too. I shall be in touch! "Stay tuned" as Ralph used to say!

Dr. Morton’s Desire to Discriminate

Dr. Morton’s Private Member’s Bill 208 formally and ironically called the Protection of Fundamental Freedoms (Marriage) Statutes Amendment Act, 2006 is potentially up for debate and Third Reading to could become law in the late August “revival” session of the Legislature.

He proposes that no one who speaks ill of same sex marriages can be liable under Alberta’s Human Rights legislation, that anyone licensed by the province to perform marriages and who feels to officiate at a same-sex marriage “would violate the person’s religious beliefs or moral values… No action lies against a member of the clergy or a marriage commissioner who refuses to solemnize a marriage between persons of the same sex.”

He goes further to say any student or teacher who does not want to participate in teachings that involve same sex marriage discussion can opt out of responsibilities to the public and minority individuals with constitutional rights protecting there sexual preferences without penalty. I don’t think so!!!

This issue is settled law in Canada and broadly supported by Canadians – and yes Albertans too – as evidenced by numerous polling results. Minorities have their rights and ought not to be subject to the tyranny of the majority. Fair enough. However this is an example of one minority trying to impose their values on another minority. It is time for the majority to speak up and not allow this to happen either.

Parents who do not want their kids to understand and accept people who are gays or lesbians and to erode their rights I guess can send them off to certain private schools. Churches have already been exempted from performing same sex marriages because they are actually private institutions. There are already protections, choice and options for the religious beliefs and moral values argument fofor those who feel the need to discriminate.

However, teachers and marriage commissioners are licensed by the government on behalf of all the citizens of Alberta , regardless of status and sexual preferences, and therefore, they have a public duty. Consequently they ought not to be afforded such opting out options to allow them to discriminate against a minority’s rights inside a public system. It is settled law that under our Charter such discrimination based on sexual preference is illegal.

Dr. Morton’s Bill 208 is not only outside the provincial jurisdiction because it violates the Charter; it is pure and simple discrimination against a minority who has constitutional protections for those rights. Modern, cosmopolitan, enlightened, inclusive and educated Albertans are surely not going to allow this travesty to happen.

Daveberta’s blog content today gave me some hope and an opportunity to not let this happen and to demonstrate our tolerance and concern for minorities. Give him a read and set some time aside on August 28 in the afternoon when Bill 208 is expected to be heard in the

Legislature and also be aware there is a news conference apposing Bill 208 set for August 25.

This is an opportunity to engage as a citizen – those of you who follow this blog have heard me expound on that before. Oh yes…I also say “that the world is run by those who show up.” I am unfortunately out of town on holidays but I will be following these events with interest – I hope many of you who are in Edmonton or can come to Edmonton will “show up.”

A "Wonk Fest" In Quebec City

I have been on the road this past week, mostly in Quebec City for the Board Meeting of the National Theatre School. I am a new member so it was a lot of get acquainted and get oriented. Fascinating organization and I am looking forward to the experience.

I have not been to Quebec City in a long time and I have to say what a gorgeous city. The restoration and rejuvenation work they have done and are doing is absolutely spectacular. I am very interested in this stuff because my firm, Cambridge Strategies Inc. is part of a group working with the city on a revitalization strategy for certain Edmonton neighbourhoods, primarily the 118 Ave area. This all fits into Mayor Mandel’s vision of an arts cluster being formed there as well and Quebec City has done just that. I came home from Quebec City with lots of ideas, great contacts and proof that it can be done and it really works.

Just as much fun was the “wonk fest” I enjoyed while in Quebec City. The NTS Board is a very interesting collection of accomplished policy and political wonks. Included is Bernard Roy, former Mulroney Chief of Staff and recently the Commission Council to Judge Gomery, who some of you might have heard of. Jodi White Chairs the NTS Board and is currently the head of the Public Policy Forum think-tank and a former key operative in both the Joe Clark and Mulroney Prime Ministers offices. Don MacDonald – former Liberal Finance Minister who headed a Royal Commission on the Canadian economy was part of the group. He was once touted as a potential successor to Trudeau but demurred saying he “lacked the Royal Jelly,” a phrase which has become part of the political lexicon in Canada. Senator Carstairs was there, mostly because her husband is on the National Theatre School board as well.

I ran into Rona Ambrose, Minister of Environment in the new Harper government and had a brief chat. She was immersed in her French lessons and getting ready for the fall release of Green Plan II. Then there was the board’s dinner with Premier Charest in the Quebec Parliamentary Dining Room where virtually all the talk was politics and culture. Premier Charest is very knowledgeable about Alberta. We discussed his desire to be in attendance at federally lead international negotiations that impact Quebec, culture most obviously. I mentioned Alberta need to be at those negotiating tables as well and for much the same reasons, like topics of continental energy discussions around oil sands development. Maybe a revival of the Lougheed- Lévesque liaison can be realized if Charest survives if pending election and if we don’t select an isolationist leader or Firewall Premier in Alberta - like Dr. Morton.

I learned a lot, laughed a lot and met a lot if interesting, thoughtful and influential people who are very committed to Canada. Sure got a sense of what some of the central and eastern Canada thinking and reactions to Alberta’s growth and emerging power role in the confederation is too. Lots of challenges are ahead for the next Premier of this province that is for sure.