Alberta NDP News

Cindy Olsen sees successful finish to Mayor’s Task Force “Elevate” report

2012-02-03T23:45:11+00:00

In a recent Edmonton Journal article, Cindy comments on the “Elevate” report – the product of her yearlong commitment as committee member on The Community Sustainability Task Force. “Elevate” report recommends a new urban agenda and and formalized collaboration between partners. Click here to read the article.

Letter to the Editor - The Edmonton Senior

2012-01-31T17:42:35+00:00

Mr. Colin Smith, Editor
The Edmonton Senior
Financial Bldg.,
#200, 10621—100Ave.,
Edmonton, AB T5J 0B3

E-Mail: abrnews@shaw.ca

The January issue of the Edmonton Senior ran a full page advertisement for the Wild Rose candidates. The ad claimed, first of all, that the party would uphold the five key principles of the Canada Health Act. The ad is disingenuous at best, lacking candor.

The Website of this fledgling party would say otherwise and needs to be read and read between the lines. There, it does not uphold the five CHA principles, which are: public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility. The departure from these principles would put at risk equalization payments to the province, putting at risk even basic services.

The second point of concern is the promise to scrap the present Senior’s Drug Plan for Albertans. While the present plan needs some work, and citizen input, it is a far cry from a “Hardship Benefit,” which suggests that someone, or some new department, will evaluate our “need” and make decisions accordingly. This is risky territory and a paternalism beyond the Conservative plan as it stands or federal concepts currently being promulgated.

It is true that there is a need for more intentional safety inspections for seniors’ care centres. The language used in this ad, however, tells readers that the Wild Rose intent is to “strengthen”, not create, such inspections; expand home care, and “assisted living accommodations”, and assist people in remaining in their own homes. These are laudable plans which cannot come to fruition if health care is privatized. International studies reveal that private health care costs more than public health care. We have only to look to the United States to see the risks of private health care. With privatization the present standards, never mind enhanced standards, cannot be maintained.

The prologue to the five key principles of the Canada Health Act states: “In order that a province may qualify for a full cash contribution referred to in section 5 for a fiscal year, the health care insurance plan of the province must, throughout the fiscal year, satisfy the criterion in section 8 to 12 respecting the following matters.” It then defines each of the five criteria.
The criterion for universality states that “the health care insurance plan of a province must entitle one hundred percent of the insured persons of the province to the insured health services provided for by the plan on uniform terms and conditions.”

A “Hardship Benefit” for some adjudged to be those Albertans experiencing “hardship” is both arbitrary and would not meet a criterion of universality. With less monies available due to higher payments to private for profit clinics and facilities neither can the five criteria of the Canada Health Act be upheld. Better home care and resources for remaining in one’s home are to be desired. Decent and safe care in lodges and extended care facilities ought to be a given, rather than a nebulous promise! We are, after all, citizens, not consumers or stakeholders. We deserve the best health care possible and honesty regarding it. Only publicly funded care, universally offered, can provide this. It is a matter of justice.

The Rev. J. J. Trudeau
NDP Candidate
Spruce Grove - St. Albert

Conservatives must stop penalizing urban schools

2012-01-30T22:24:39+00:00

Alberta’s NDP Opposition education critic Rachel Notley says New Democrats are committing to giving urban schools the funding they need to stay open, and is challenging Premier Redford to do the same.

A Edmonton Public School Board committee report outlines how the Conservative government is unfairly underfunding urban schools and identifies several ways to help prevent further school closures.

“The challenge of building community in urban neighbourhoods is complex. But the Conservative government’s refusal to act makes the cost of fixing the problem grow the longer they ignore it. Meanwhile, Alberta’s urban families pay the price,” Notley says.

The report makes clear the Conservatives pupil/space funding formula doesn’t account for the more spacious design and higher maintenance costs of older schools versus new schools. Because older schools cost more per student to operate, yet are funded the same as new schools, the table is slanted against them.

“Older schools have wider hallways. That’s not a bad thing, yet it means older schools get less funding than new schools that have less space inside because the Conservative government measures space per student,” says Notley. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Alberta’s New Democrats want to make mature neighbourhoods family friendly by keeping schools open.

Download PDF report here.

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Cindy’s January Newsletter

2012-01-26T02:18:21+00:00

Happy New Year Edmonton-Manning!

It is my great pleasure to update you on the progress of this campaign. I have been working tirelessly to make the personal acquaintance of as many community members as possible by door knocking the neighborhoods of Edmonton Manning and by hosting and attending numerous community outreach initiatives. My experiences with the public have taught me valuable information about what issues and concerns are important to this community. Over and over again I hear the same issues raised on the door step – concerns about health care, government accountability and transparency, education, the cost of prescription drugs, Alberta jobs, and the alarming increase in electricity rates are just a few of the recurring themes raised by the public. I share these concerns, and promise to work tirelessly on behalf of this amazing, diverse and vibrant community to bring you the answers and solutions you deserve. In the mean time, I encourage you all to sign this petition for affordable and dependable electricity prices at www.ndpopposition.ab.ca.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kazam! events for coordinating our February 10th fundraiser and outreach event, “Sweet Deal Sweet Heart”. This event will be held at Evergreen Community League, #31 Evergreen Park. For only $20.00, you can enjoy live music (a western-country blues act), a belly dance performance by Dance Fusion, a silent auction, dinner and a cash bar. Your attendance guarantees you a fantastic night of entertainment, food, and drink, as well as a chance to personally tell me what it is that you value in Alberta and in your community. I want to thank all our volunteers who have already delivered over 8000 pieces of campaign literature and helped door knock 3000 homes. Volunteers have also come forward to help with sign placement, phoning, administration and many other tasks. If you would like to join our volunteer team, please contact Stephanie at 780-902-7302, or you can contact me directly at 780-405-1535.

As the election draws closer, I am also asking you to consider a financial investment towards building a new and just Alberta. All donation cheques should be made out to Edmonton-Manning NDP Constituency and mailed to Cindy Olsen Campaign at 11129 - 60st, T5W 3Y6, or go online and make a secure donation with your credit card at www.albertandp.ca/ContributeSecure.cfm. Make sure in the Donation Fund section to click on ‘Select a Riding’, and choose Edmonton-Manning to ensure the donation benefits your community. You may also call the office at 780-474-2415 during regular office hours if you want to make a credit card donation but do not want to do so online. The actual cost of $100 donation is only $25.00 because of the political tax credit.

I believe good government must be accountable, transparent and respectful of the relationship between itself and constituents and I offer both experience and commitment. We will win this Riding with your support. It’s time. Out with the old and in with the New…Democratic Party of Alberta!

Sincerely,

Cindy

Conservative power deregulation is Alberta’s disadvantage

2012-01-23T14:12:58+00:00

Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason says the Conservatives’ power deregulation is the Alberta disadvantage for businesses and families.

“When Alberta businesses are sending workers home because they can’t afford power, it’s a sign deregulation is the Alberta disadvantage for industry,” Mason says. “Businesses want the affordable, stable power prices offered by the New Democrat plan for regulation.”

Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope shut down production for two days and send hourly wage employees home because of high power prices recently, general manager Darren Peck tells Mason. “We are completely at the mercy of power companies,” Peck says.

“With deregulation, Alberta’s Conservatives are putting power company profits ahead of jobs and business, not to mention homeowners,” Mason says. “Alberta needs an electricity system that’s focused on affordable, stable prices, not big profits for power companies. Our plan for a regulated energy market is the way to get there.”

Mason says an Alberta New Democrat government would freeze prices at an affordable rate, then make power companies publicly justify rate increases.

The Alberta New Democrat petition for electricity regulation found at ndpopposition.ab.ca/powerprices has gathered more than 600 signatures in one week.

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Mason reacts to Keystone XL decision

2012-01-19T16:54:30+00:00

“Alberta can take this time to reconsider the Conservative policy of exporting raw bitumen, which takes long-term jobs, investment and taxes out of our province.

“This is also a time to develop a national energy strategy focused on energy security and economic prosperity for Canada through increased bitumen processing and building capacity in renewable energy.”

Mason: power companies earning unreasonable profits

2012-01-19T16:37:59+00:00

Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason says a review of power company profits and CEO salaries shows that deregulation is needlessly costing consumers money on their power bills.

“Even though power companies are making more than their share, Albertans are paying the highest fixed price ever for electricity. It’s time to regulate,” Mason says.

Profits of power generators in Alberta rose as much as 25 per cent between the third quarter of 2010 and the same time in 2011. Enbridge made almost two thirds of a billion dollars in just three quarters of 2011. Meanwhile, Enbridge CEO Patrick Daniel earned more than $8 million in compensation in the same year.

“Families shouldn’t be forced to become experts in markets and pricing to avoid being gouged. Power companies are taking Alberta power consumers for a rollercoaster ride monthly. Albertans want off this ride,” Mason says.

An NDP government would freeze power prices at a fair, affordable level and then require power companies to justify rate increases before a utility board.

“Regulation is the only way Albertans are going to get the fair, stable and affordable power prices they need to protect family budgets and keep businesses competitive,” says Mason.

Executive	Company	Total Annual Compensation, 2011
Don Lowry	Epcor	$2, 751, 355
Patrick Daniel	Enbridge	$8, 055, 856
Steve Snyder[2]	Transalta	$3,678,226
Gary Holden	Enmax	$2, 700, 000
Charles Ruigrok (Holden’s replacement)	Enmax	$1, 200, 000
Brian Tellef Vaasjo	Capital Power	$2,473,240
Chris Westin	Direct Energy	$1,380,000

This is what these companies earned from one year to the next:

Company	Net income by end of third quarter 2010	Net earnings by end of third quarter 2011	% Increase
Enbridge	$637, 000, 000	656, 000, 000	+3%
Transalta[3]	$50, 000, 000	40, 000,000	+20%
Epcor	$99, 000, 000	91, 000, 000	-8.7%
Enmax	$135, 000, 000	141, 800, 000	+5%
Capital Power[4]	$199, 000, 000	264, 000, 000	+24.6%

[1] Alberta Human Services

[2] Retired December 31, 2011.

[3] Comparable earnings

[4] *Funds from operations excluding non-controlling interests in CPILP

Notley: latest fracking incident exposes risk of Conservative ignorance

2012-01-17T21:17:45+00:00

Alberta’s NDP Opposition environment critic Rachel Notley is calling on the provincial government to change course and start a full study of fracking safety following a well blow out in Alberta.

“Premier Redford and her Conservative government must immediately commit to an independent, transparent scientific review of the practice,” Notley says. “The expert group made responsible for the review should be made to include recommendations on the need for a full or partial moratorium in the course of their study of their study.”

On Thursday, January 12, ERCB was alerted that oil was spewing as high as 15 metres into the air and began to take action to shut down and clean up the site. ERCB says hydraulic fracturing may have caused the blowout. This raises serious concerns as hydraulic fracturing is a practice that is predicted to exponentially increase in the coming years.

“Only an independent investigation will break the secrecy surrounding the hydraulic fracturing practice and its proliferation. Government documents leaked last August show the Conservatives are working directly with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers to sell Albertans on the ‘commercial potential’ of hydraulic fracturing even as other jurisdictions are more responsibly taking the time to study its safety. It’s time for the Government of Alberta to remember who it represents-Albertans-not the oil and gas industry,” says Notley.

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2012-01-16T19:24:21+00:00

Cindy Olsen's December Newsletter

Mason launches campaign pushing for electricity regulation

2012-01-12T13:48:10+00:00

News release

For Immediate Release

Jan. 11, 2012

Mason launches campaign pushing for electricity regulation

Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason today launched a petition campaign to push for regulation of Alberta’s deregulated energy market.

“We’re paying the highest price for power ever this month, and consumers are riding a power rate rollercoaster month to month. The numerous calls, faxes and e-mails we’ve received on the issue tell me Albertans want off this ride,” Mason says. “People are showing us their power bills from a decade ago to show just how much more they’re paying these days. It’s outrageous that some people are paying double what they did ten years ago.

“We’re letting Albertans know there is an alternative to wild price fluctuations and corporate profiteering: a regulated electricity market,” Mason says. “Power is an essential service, and Albertans deserve the assurance of reliable, low prices only regulation can offer. Let’s work together to reregulate our electricity system.”

The core action of the campaign – a petition opposing deregulation and supporting regulation – can be signed online at www.ndpopposition.ab.ca/powerprices. The website also has printable petition pages for distribution, a hotline for Albertans to share their stories of power price pain, and background information on the issue. The campaign will also be promoted through Facebook and Twitter.