In the election prior to the collapse of the federal Progressive Conservatives in 1993, then Prime Minister Kim Campbell (who when first selected PC leader had the support of over 50% of Canadians in public opinion polls) famously stated “an election is no time to discuss important issues.”
Due largely to this arrogance, the federal PCs were subsequently booted from power and were reduced to 2 seats from 169. In Alberta, the PCs lost every seat in the province; the vast majority to Preston Manning’s populist conservative Reform Party.
Isn’t it amazing how history may be repeating itself.
The Redford PCs 2012 election slogan seems to be “Vote PC – and we’ll tell you our plans after the election.”
Last week in Question Period, I asked Ms. Redford 3 times whether she would commit, if the PCs are re-elected, to not raise taxes in order to balance their continued record deficits. She refused, saying she wants to have a “fulsome discussion” about all of the provinces finances including the possible need to raise taxes after the upcoming election.
I asked Ministers Morton, Horner and Griffiths the same question — same answer.
Think about that for a moment. If I wanted to buy a used car, I would obviously want a mechanic to inspect the car for possible defects before I decided to purchase it. If the seller told me I could inspect the car only after I paid for it, I’d tell him he was obviously hiding something and wouldn’t purchase it. Deciding who to vote for is no different…people need to know what they’re voting for before they cast their votes, not after.
And it isn’t just taxes the PCs won’t come clean on prior to the election.
After promising, during the PC leadership race, to call a public inquiry into politically connected queue jumping and systemic health worker intimidation in our health system, Ms. Redford has run out the clock ensuring that no truths on these matters will be revealed until after the ballots are cast.
Furthermore, she has ensured MLAs and Cabinet won’t vote on a possible salary and benefits hike until after the polls are closed.
As your MLA and as the Wildrose candidate for Airdrie, I will be joining with the other Wildrose MLAs and Party leader Danielle Smith in pledging to Albertans that we will not support any new or increased taxes of any kind if elected. We will launch a public inquiry into health queue jumping and health worker intimidation immediately upon taking office, and we will slash MLA severance by 67% and Cabinet salaries by 30% as one of the first acts of a Wildrose government.
Elections should be about party leaders and MLAs putting their plans on the table for public debate, and respecting the voters enough to let them select which path to take.
If the PCs are unwilling to show voters this respect…perhaps Albertans should Kim Campbell them.
