I was honoured to be part of the University of Alberta Board of Governors retirement dinner last week. I was there becuase of my part of a government relations committee that was disbanded because Karen Wichuk and company have done such a great job in the government relations area they really did not need outside advice anymore.
Nice to be part of the celebrations though and really touched by the gifts from the University. Instead of a plaque or certificate, they actually dedicated a digitized Alberta book from the Library collection for each of us. My commemorative book is the 1930 edition of the College Saint Francois-Xavier. In addition they gave us a copy of the recently published translation of the Prayer Book in Cree Syllabics done originally in 1883 by Father Emile Grouard in Lac La Biche. This is believed to be the very first book written in Alberta.
The company honoured at the retirement dinner was pretty good too. It included, amongst others, Lou Hyndman, one of my early mentors, and good friends Eric Newell, Gerry Protti, Audrey Poitras and Michelle Stanners. Here is a link to the Peel Priairie Collection at the University of Alberta Library where the digitized books are housed. Give it a visit if you are interested in exploring the history of western Canada and the culture of the prairies.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
China's Purchase of Syncrude Stake OK'd by Harper.
Reuters is reporting that the Chinese government controlled corporation Sinopec's $4.65Billion investment in Syncrude is a done deal. Prime Minister Harper has approved the sale. Good! I wonder how much that deal came into play in China opening up its borders to Alberta beef again? That was announced today too.
Our recent random sample survey of Albertans values asked if Harper should stop the Chinese from investing in Alberta's oilsands. The results were 45% agreed that China should be stopped from investing in the oilsands. However 55% believed that China should be allowed to invest in our oilsands. I agree with the majority. This is a smart move by China, a prudent sale by ConocoPhillips and it might be a good influence on the other Syncrude owners to raise their environmental performance standards.
We have lots of "foreign" (meaning not American) investment in the oilsands already. We have Britain, France, Norway, Japan, Hong Kong to name a few, investing already. I think the more diversity of international investment the better it is for Alberta. China is in now. My bets are that India will not be far behind and I would not be surprised if Russia and Mexico invested eventually too.
What we need to be assured of is that China understands that they are tenants and it is the citizens of Alberta who actually own the resource. We need be sure or provincial and federal governments enforce the oilsands environmental standards more aggressively. The Syncrude dead ducks incident proves that. With China in with such a large investment, maybe the provincial and federal governments will be emboldened to be more assertive about monitoring and enforcing environmental standards. That would of course have to apply to all operators and that sure can't be anything but good.
ConocoPhillips divests its Syncrude stake just before the court decision on the consequences of 1600 ducks dying in the tailing pond. That decision comes out later today and should be a must read for all Albertans as responsible owners of the oilsands. We need to be sure our tenants understand we will not tolerate indifference to the environment, habitat, reclamation, water usage and biodiversity as a result of oilsands exploitation.
Our recent random sample survey of Albertans values asked if Harper should stop the Chinese from investing in Alberta's oilsands. The results were 45% agreed that China should be stopped from investing in the oilsands. However 55% believed that China should be allowed to invest in our oilsands. I agree with the majority. This is a smart move by China, a prudent sale by ConocoPhillips and it might be a good influence on the other Syncrude owners to raise their environmental performance standards.
We have lots of "foreign" (meaning not American) investment in the oilsands already. We have Britain, France, Norway, Japan, Hong Kong to name a few, investing already. I think the more diversity of international investment the better it is for Alberta. China is in now. My bets are that India will not be far behind and I would not be surprised if Russia and Mexico invested eventually too.
What we need to be assured of is that China understands that they are tenants and it is the citizens of Alberta who actually own the resource. We need be sure or provincial and federal governments enforce the oilsands environmental standards more aggressively. The Syncrude dead ducks incident proves that. With China in with such a large investment, maybe the provincial and federal governments will be emboldened to be more assertive about monitoring and enforcing environmental standards. That would of course have to apply to all operators and that sure can't be anything but good.
ConocoPhillips divests its Syncrude stake just before the court decision on the consequences of 1600 ducks dying in the tailing pond. That decision comes out later today and should be a must read for all Albertans as responsible owners of the oilsands. We need to be sure our tenants understand we will not tolerate indifference to the environment, habitat, reclamation, water usage and biodiversity as a result of oilsands exploitation.
Bill 44 Guide for Teachers/Parents on Stupid Law Released.
According to news reports the guidelines for the application of the Bill 44 idiocy have finally been released. I have not read them yet so I can't comment. But based on the stupidity of the original enabling legislation that creates a capacity to persecute and prosecute teachers I can only imagine how angry this policy is going to make me once I read it.
Here is the link to the policy if you want to get at it before me. Feel free to comment in advance of my review and thoughts.
Here is the link to the policy if you want to get at it before me. Feel free to comment in advance of my review and thoughts.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Albertans Want Senate Elections - Stelmach, Not So Much!
I have been doing some more checking on some other interesting preliminary results from our recent Cambridge Strategies conjoint research study. This time it is Albertan's opinions around Senate elections that I want to share with you.
In the past Senate elections in Alberta were a joke. They are not binding but two elected Senators have been appointed from Alberta so they have had some affect. The other joke was in the past it was perceived that only the radical right wing nuts ran and nobody really cared about the election or them because it was not binding. It was all just so much bad political theatre. In fact many Alberta voters in the past refused Senate ballots or spoiled them intentionally in protest.
That indifference and anger seems to be changing based on our new study results. Now we see 69% of Albertans saying they "believe we should have another election for Senators in Alberta." Moreover 82% believe it is important to have a Senate election and 88% say they are ready and willing to vote for a Senator this time. That is a big change in the minds of Albertans about Senate elections.
That change in attitude is amazing. I think the reason for this change in thinking is because it is an opportunity to send a message to politicians that would be influential but not really radically change anything. There is a need to change somethings however. I think the well documented lack of trust and respect for the current political options by Albertans is what is driving the desire to a Senate electoin this fall. It is a feebie way to send a message to the political class that they are out of touch and in danger of being dumped in the next provincial election. The same message applies to the Alberta MPs too I expect.
The current crop of Senators-in-Waiting had a 6 year term that was to expire December 2010. So what has the Stelmach government done? The original announced intent was to hold the Senate elections in conjunction with the October municipal and school board elections. Instead, last April, Premier Stelmach unilaterally and undemocratically extended the terms of the existing Senators-in-Waiting until December 2013. What is that all about? So much for legislated fixed election dates.
There are vacancies coming up for Alberta Senators soon and we have not had a chance to elect them, according to law, since 2004. And we will not get that chance to choose Senators-in-Waiting now until 2013. Does anyone believe these three current Senators-in-Waiting still have a mandate? They are on record as saying they don't believe they still have a mandate. They will be waiting as our preferred appointees for over 9 years. That is longer than the 8 years terms they could actually sit in Harper's proposed Senate reform legislation.
That is a long time between opportunities for voters to choose and that is not reasonable in a modern democracy. Lots has changed in Alberta since 2004 and a lot more will change between now and 2013 but one thing that will not change is the "preferred" nominees for Senator to represent Alberta as a sober second voice.
Here is another real kicker in this folly. The Alberta Senatorial Selection Act itself expires on December 31, 2016. If the Stelmach government does not want to hold regular Senate selection elections then why not say so and simply repeal the legislation. That would have more integrity, be more honest, accountable and transparent than the obvious manipulation of the democratic process they have done and for pure partisan political purposes.
This is just another example of the continuing erosion of democracy in Alberta and abuse of centralist power structures in governing the province. It is just power politics trumping good government and also the Stelmach PCs still running scared of the Wildrose. The thinking in the Stelmach government is obviously that they see a Senate election this fall will become a further referendum on the current government. They sure don't seem to want to know what Albertans are actually thinking and saying these days.
They don't want to have anymore proof of citizen discontent by giving them the opportunity to express their frustration about how badly we are being governed these days. So democracy gets suspended, the cynicism of citizens increases and the political culture continues to turn weak and ugly. There is a serious and growing sense of revulsion by many Albertans about our deteriorating political culture.
We are not seeing the benefits of the Alberta advantage except for those "masters of the universe" types in big business who collude behind closed doors with government. We see a lack of integrity, honesty, accountability and transparency from our government as a result. Our pride in the province is getting softer all the time and we know we are not being listened to and that our opinions do not matter to those in political power. I wonder when will the revolution will start in Alberta for real change? We need more political choices and not just an option between two reactionary conservative parties locked in a culture war.
It is not too late for Stelmach to return the Senate elections to this fall but don't hold your breath given the angst and anxiety of the current government. I wonder if this debasing of democracy by the current government will be a topic of discussion at the weekend gathering of the Wildrose Alliance Party? Their leader was vocal about it last April with the Senate election was deferred. I am no fan of the WAP but they are right on this point. I hope they come out of Red Deer this weekend with guns blazing on this issue.
In the past Senate elections in Alberta were a joke. They are not binding but two elected Senators have been appointed from Alberta so they have had some affect. The other joke was in the past it was perceived that only the radical right wing nuts ran and nobody really cared about the election or them because it was not binding. It was all just so much bad political theatre. In fact many Alberta voters in the past refused Senate ballots or spoiled them intentionally in protest.
That indifference and anger seems to be changing based on our new study results. Now we see 69% of Albertans saying they "believe we should have another election for Senators in Alberta." Moreover 82% believe it is important to have a Senate election and 88% say they are ready and willing to vote for a Senator this time. That is a big change in the minds of Albertans about Senate elections.
That change in attitude is amazing. I think the reason for this change in thinking is because it is an opportunity to send a message to politicians that would be influential but not really radically change anything. There is a need to change somethings however. I think the well documented lack of trust and respect for the current political options by Albertans is what is driving the desire to a Senate electoin this fall. It is a feebie way to send a message to the political class that they are out of touch and in danger of being dumped in the next provincial election. The same message applies to the Alberta MPs too I expect.
The current crop of Senators-in-Waiting had a 6 year term that was to expire December 2010. So what has the Stelmach government done? The original announced intent was to hold the Senate elections in conjunction with the October municipal and school board elections. Instead, last April, Premier Stelmach unilaterally and undemocratically extended the terms of the existing Senators-in-Waiting until December 2013. What is that all about? So much for legislated fixed election dates.
There are vacancies coming up for Alberta Senators soon and we have not had a chance to elect them, according to law, since 2004. And we will not get that chance to choose Senators-in-Waiting now until 2013. Does anyone believe these three current Senators-in-Waiting still have a mandate? They are on record as saying they don't believe they still have a mandate. They will be waiting as our preferred appointees for over 9 years. That is longer than the 8 years terms they could actually sit in Harper's proposed Senate reform legislation.
That is a long time between opportunities for voters to choose and that is not reasonable in a modern democracy. Lots has changed in Alberta since 2004 and a lot more will change between now and 2013 but one thing that will not change is the "preferred" nominees for Senator to represent Alberta as a sober second voice.
Here is another real kicker in this folly. The Alberta Senatorial Selection Act itself expires on December 31, 2016. If the Stelmach government does not want to hold regular Senate selection elections then why not say so and simply repeal the legislation. That would have more integrity, be more honest, accountable and transparent than the obvious manipulation of the democratic process they have done and for pure partisan political purposes.
This is just another example of the continuing erosion of democracy in Alberta and abuse of centralist power structures in governing the province. It is just power politics trumping good government and also the Stelmach PCs still running scared of the Wildrose. The thinking in the Stelmach government is obviously that they see a Senate election this fall will become a further referendum on the current government. They sure don't seem to want to know what Albertans are actually thinking and saying these days.
They don't want to have anymore proof of citizen discontent by giving them the opportunity to express their frustration about how badly we are being governed these days. So democracy gets suspended, the cynicism of citizens increases and the political culture continues to turn weak and ugly. There is a serious and growing sense of revulsion by many Albertans about our deteriorating political culture.
We are not seeing the benefits of the Alberta advantage except for those "masters of the universe" types in big business who collude behind closed doors with government. We see a lack of integrity, honesty, accountability and transparency from our government as a result. Our pride in the province is getting softer all the time and we know we are not being listened to and that our opinions do not matter to those in political power. I wonder when will the revolution will start in Alberta for real change? We need more political choices and not just an option between two reactionary conservative parties locked in a culture war.
It is not too late for Stelmach to return the Senate elections to this fall but don't hold your breath given the angst and anxiety of the current government. I wonder if this debasing of democracy by the current government will be a topic of discussion at the weekend gathering of the Wildrose Alliance Party? Their leader was vocal about it last April with the Senate election was deferred. I am no fan of the WAP but they are right on this point. I hope they come out of Red Deer this weekend with guns blazing on this issue.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Can Harper & Stelmach Get Along & is Alberta Ready for a Carbon Tax?
Media reports say there is a battle brewing between the Harper and Stelmach governments and it is where the environment and the economy meet. Former Premier Peter Lougheed predicted this over two years ago in a speech to the Canadian Bar Association.
Cambridge Strategies is in the final stages of data collection in a random sample conjoint survey on values Albertans want to see guide and drive politicians and policy makers when they are deciding matters that impact the lives of citizens. We have also asked some very pointed opinion questions on the political culture of Alberta oo.
Given some recent mainstream media stories, I thought it helpful to give a preview of some of the preliminary findings. We are almost finished gathering the data so some of these result might change but likely only slightly.
In the context of the “Battle Brewing Between Alberta and Ottawa over Oil Sands Exports” only 22% of Albertans Strongly Agreed or Agreed that “Prime Minister Stephen Harper pays sufficient attention to Alberta issues and concerns.” Only 25% Strongly Agreed or Agreed “Prime Minister Harper should stop Chinese investment in Alberta’s Oilsands while 56% of Albertans disagree this proposition to some degree of other.
As for perceptions of Albertans on how well the Harper and Stelmach government are getting along on major issues of environment, investment and natural resources over 82% do not think the two governments are getting along that well. Indications are it will only get worse as the Harper government continue to ignore Alberta's concerns and Stelmach government continues to lag in public confidence. This all typical fed-prov political infighting will happen at a time when the world is targeting Canada and Alberta for our politically inert attitudes and embarrassingly inept approaches towards environmental policy.
Then we have the other interesting story that Suncor CEO Rick George is reported to be in favour of a carbon tax as part of a national energy strategy to reduce emissions and promote responsible energy development. George is calling for a carbon tax that applies to industry and consumers and to all emitters from “oilsands plants to the tailpipe of your car.” George sees a need for a national energy strategy to harmonize the patchwork of provincial policies and align with major trading partners like the United States.
The Stelmach government has apparently “shot down the idea” according to mainstream media reports. Apparently Deputy Premier Doug Horner “…flatly dismissed the idea of a tax on consumers and bristled at the suggestion of a national energy policy beyond simple co-operation between provinces and the federal government on energy issues.
Our research study preliminary findings show that Albertans, when asked if “Alberta should have a carbon tax and use the money to clean the environment” 23.71% strongly disagreed, 15.81% disagreed and 21.36% slightly disagreed. On the other hand those who supported a carbon tax showed 4.27% strongly agreed, 13.46% agreed and 21.36 slightly agreed. That is a surprising 60/40 split. Seen another way the swing vote of the slightly agreed or disagreed are over 42% so there is volatility around acceptance of a carbon tax by Albertan depending on if the mush middle moves one way or the other.
As for the strength of support the politicians representing Alberta we have figures from another random study of 1032 Albertans that is complete. The bottom line is there is not much confidence in any of the existing federal or provincial alternatives. When asked “who do you trust the most to responsibly manage Alberta’s growth” the results were telling. Brian Mason (NDP) 4%, David Swann (Liberal) 9%, Danielle Smith (Wildrose Alliance) 19%, Ed Stelmach (PC Party) 23%. NONE OF THE ABOVE 45%. Albertans are clearly not happy with the directions and choices the current political parties are offering. Kind of shows why only 40% of us even bother to vote.
The Federal politicians representing Alberta have nothing to brag about either. When Albertans were asked how satisfied they were the way the Alberta-based MPs were representing Albertans interests in Ottawa only 1% were completely satisfied, 16% were satisfied and 27% were slightly satisfied. On the other hand 11% were totally dissatisfied, 22% were dissatisfied and 23% were slightly dissatisfied. Again 50% are in the mushy middle of being slightly satisfied or dissatisfied. As for if the Alberta MPS are doing enough to protect Albertan oil and gs resources in Ottawa 40% thing they are and 60% don’t thing they are. Not a strong vote confidence as a federal election looms.
Bottom line is the Feds and the provincial governments appear to be increasingly misaligned and misreading the mood of the Alberta public on many key issues. I will show more about this misalignment in subsequent blog posts once the final survey results are in and the analysis has been completed.
All this research is showing us that there is a need for a political revolution to change the political culture of this province. As I have said this before on this blog, I see a Renaissance, a Reformation and a ReEnlightenment all now happening at the same time. I wonder if it is enough to create the kind of political unrest that festers and fosters the kind of Revolution we have sen before in Alberta's political culture. It has before when Social Credit and the Progressive Conservatives came into power years ago.
It is feeling more and more like Albertans are ready for some serious and radical changes to our political culture - but what is the alternative? The open question for all Albertans now is does the WAP reflect enough of the core values of contemporary Albertans so they gain the political power to run the province as they wish in this emerging wave of citizen re-engagement? I will have more to say shortly in answering that question. First we must finish the current research and do the thorough analysis of the conjoint study results. We will then have some insight about some of the core the value drivers that Albertans what to see used by politicians. then we will know more about what Albertans expect in order to grant their consent to be governed. Stay tuned.
Cambridge Strategies is in the final stages of data collection in a random sample conjoint survey on values Albertans want to see guide and drive politicians and policy makers when they are deciding matters that impact the lives of citizens. We have also asked some very pointed opinion questions on the political culture of Alberta oo.
Given some recent mainstream media stories, I thought it helpful to give a preview of some of the preliminary findings. We are almost finished gathering the data so some of these result might change but likely only slightly.
In the context of the “Battle Brewing Between Alberta and Ottawa over Oil Sands Exports” only 22% of Albertans Strongly Agreed or Agreed that “Prime Minister Stephen Harper pays sufficient attention to Alberta issues and concerns.” Only 25% Strongly Agreed or Agreed “Prime Minister Harper should stop Chinese investment in Alberta’s Oilsands while 56% of Albertans disagree this proposition to some degree of other.
As for perceptions of Albertans on how well the Harper and Stelmach government are getting along on major issues of environment, investment and natural resources over 82% do not think the two governments are getting along that well. Indications are it will only get worse as the Harper government continue to ignore Alberta's concerns and Stelmach government continues to lag in public confidence. This all typical fed-prov political infighting will happen at a time when the world is targeting Canada and Alberta for our politically inert attitudes and embarrassingly inept approaches towards environmental policy.
Then we have the other interesting story that Suncor CEO Rick George is reported to be in favour of a carbon tax as part of a national energy strategy to reduce emissions and promote responsible energy development. George is calling for a carbon tax that applies to industry and consumers and to all emitters from “oilsands plants to the tailpipe of your car.” George sees a need for a national energy strategy to harmonize the patchwork of provincial policies and align with major trading partners like the United States.
The Stelmach government has apparently “shot down the idea” according to mainstream media reports. Apparently Deputy Premier Doug Horner “…flatly dismissed the idea of a tax on consumers and bristled at the suggestion of a national energy policy beyond simple co-operation between provinces and the federal government on energy issues.
Our research study preliminary findings show that Albertans, when asked if “Alberta should have a carbon tax and use the money to clean the environment” 23.71% strongly disagreed, 15.81% disagreed and 21.36% slightly disagreed. On the other hand those who supported a carbon tax showed 4.27% strongly agreed, 13.46% agreed and 21.36 slightly agreed. That is a surprising 60/40 split. Seen another way the swing vote of the slightly agreed or disagreed are over 42% so there is volatility around acceptance of a carbon tax by Albertan depending on if the mush middle moves one way or the other.
As for the strength of support the politicians representing Alberta we have figures from another random study of 1032 Albertans that is complete. The bottom line is there is not much confidence in any of the existing federal or provincial alternatives. When asked “who do you trust the most to responsibly manage Alberta’s growth” the results were telling. Brian Mason (NDP) 4%, David Swann (Liberal) 9%, Danielle Smith (Wildrose Alliance) 19%, Ed Stelmach (PC Party) 23%. NONE OF THE ABOVE 45%. Albertans are clearly not happy with the directions and choices the current political parties are offering. Kind of shows why only 40% of us even bother to vote.
The Federal politicians representing Alberta have nothing to brag about either. When Albertans were asked how satisfied they were the way the Alberta-based MPs were representing Albertans interests in Ottawa only 1% were completely satisfied, 16% were satisfied and 27% were slightly satisfied. On the other hand 11% were totally dissatisfied, 22% were dissatisfied and 23% were slightly dissatisfied. Again 50% are in the mushy middle of being slightly satisfied or dissatisfied. As for if the Alberta MPS are doing enough to protect Albertan oil and gs resources in Ottawa 40% thing they are and 60% don’t thing they are. Not a strong vote confidence as a federal election looms.
Bottom line is the Feds and the provincial governments appear to be increasingly misaligned and misreading the mood of the Alberta public on many key issues. I will show more about this misalignment in subsequent blog posts once the final survey results are in and the analysis has been completed.
All this research is showing us that there is a need for a political revolution to change the political culture of this province. As I have said this before on this blog, I see a Renaissance, a Reformation and a ReEnlightenment all now happening at the same time. I wonder if it is enough to create the kind of political unrest that festers and fosters the kind of Revolution we have sen before in Alberta's political culture. It has before when Social Credit and the Progressive Conservatives came into power years ago.
It is feeling more and more like Albertans are ready for some serious and radical changes to our political culture - but what is the alternative? The open question for all Albertans now is does the WAP reflect enough of the core values of contemporary Albertans so they gain the political power to run the province as they wish in this emerging wave of citizen re-engagement? I will have more to say shortly in answering that question. First we must finish the current research and do the thorough analysis of the conjoint study results. We will then have some insight about some of the core the value drivers that Albertans what to see used by politicians. then we will know more about what Albertans expect in order to grant their consent to be governed. Stay tuned.
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