With the Kenney government saying its plans to reduce red tape and improve the province’s economy in the process are succeeding as planned, and the Opposition saying the province is slipping deeper and deeper into trouble, it’s harder than ever to sort things out.
Whether the UCP or the NDP will prove to be right in the coming days and months remains anyone’s guess.
What is known is that many small businesses across Alberta continue to struggle, with empty shop buildings in every town in this district continuing to be all too commonplace.
For his part, Premier Jason Kenney says the recent Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) decision to change the province’s grade from an F to a B- for its red tape reduction efforts shows the UCP’s plans are working.
“We have made a commitment to do this and this grade is evidence that we’re on the right track,” said Kenney. “I thank the CFIB for recognizing our work to cut unnecessary red tape that has been affecting the growth of Alberta’s economy.”
NDP finance critic Shannon Phillips counters that Kenney has it all wrong, saying major banks are now downgrading Alberta’s growth prospects.
“With these downgraded forecasts, there could be more cuts and job loses coming,” said Phillips. “They (UCP) promised economic growth and jobs, but all we’re seeing is a declining economy and job losses.”
She is calling on the Kenney government to immediately release a fiscal update, saying Albertans need cold hard facts and not political messaging.
The UCP campaigned in 2018 on promises to get rid of the provincial carbon tax and to improve the economy.
The provincial tax is now history, replaced with a federal tax that goes to Ottawa’s coffers.
As for the economy, it should be obvious to everyone that it continues to struggle in many communities. Whether things will be changing for the better as the Kenney regime approaches its second year remains the biggest question facing Alberta today.
- Dan Singleton is a Mountain View Albertan editor
