The Kenney government has announced plans to consult residents over the coming weeks on ways to promote and maintain Alberta’s economic interests.
The Fair Deal Panel, made up of government-appointed members, will consult experts, hold at least seven town hall meetings, conduct online surveys and undertake research.
Whether the panel will come up with concrete ways to move the province forward remains to be seen. What is known is that if the undertaking proves to be just a government-sponsored public relations exercise it will be a waste of taxpayers’ money during tough economic times.
The panel’s mandate is to “listen to Albertans and their ideas for Alberta’s future, focusing on ideas that would strengthen our province’s economic position, give us a bigger voice in Confederation, or increase provincial power over institutions and funding in areas of provincial jurisdiction.”
The panel will consider a number of specific measures and whether those will advance the province’s interest. The measures include creating an Alberta Pension Plan by withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan, establishing a provincial police force, and establishing a formalized provincial constitution.
For his part, Premier Jason Kenney calls the $650,000 panel project a good step forward.
“Alberta has been by far the biggest contributing province to Canada in recent decades, and a huge engine for jobs and growth,” said Kenney. “But governments that have profited from our resources, hard work, and generosity now seem determined to pin us down and block us in.”
Opposition leader and former premier Rachel Notley says the premier is trying to advance his own political objectives.
“Instead of getting to work on the priorities of Albertans, getting the pipeline built, growing our economy, and creating jobs, he is exploiting the real frustrations of everyday Albertans by sowing the seeds of separation with tired ideas form decades ago,” said Notley.
The panel’s work wraps up on Jan. 30, with its report being submitted by March 31. Hopefully the results will be constructive and worth the cost.
Dan Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor.