Ray Strom Found Guilty

[coppertop]

At this point in time, I don't see any alternative to a Tory government. I think our new Premier is well aware that his government needs to be accountable, provide good open honest government or there will be other parties that can get a toe hold in this province.

I have been going over the resolutions for the upcoming PC Convention, and what a sorry lot of resolutions they are.

No mention of land use issues, several mentioned the Water for Life strategy, and one even went so far as requesting that the government put the wheels in motion to charge for water !!!!

Many of them are requesting specific infrastructure projects vs doing things for the good of all Albertans. I feel we are fortunate to have a cabinet with a good understanding of rural Alberta, at least we won't get lost in the shuffle because each of the rural cabinet ministers wants to get elected next time round, so paying attention to their electorate is going to be extremely important.

There are ways to lobby government, it takes time, requires a lot of factual information etc. but I have seen firsthand how successful a good lobby effort can be.

[farmers_son]

To be clear, in no way was I suggestiong a change in government. Just pointing out that by-elections offer an opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the government of the day if the voters so desire.

[coppertop]

FS,for a constituency that encompasses Special Areas to have an opposition member representing them would make absolutely no sense at all. Sending messages to government is best done by a good lobby process, meeting with MLA's, Cabinet Ministers etc. to get ones concerns in front of the decision makers.
If the government of the day is not responsive to concerns of large groups of citizens, then change will happen.

All too often I have seen special interest groups try to make their point by negative dialogue vs good solid facts and proposed solutions to issues. Municipal councils face the same sort of process, and believe me, a good, well thought out proposal for change or implementation of specific policy gets the attention of elected officials. In the case of the issue of landmen, what seems to be the desired result will entail legislative change which does not come about overnight.

Changing legislation must be done during a sitting of the legislature. Any proposed changes must be written, vetted through Legislative Council to ensure the wording is appropriate etc., then it must go through the rest of the process which culminates in it being debated on the floor of the legislature. If there is the will in government to change the legislation which applies to landmen, I would venture to guess that there is no possible way it could be in front of the legislature until the spring 2008 sitting, and that is only if the wheels start in motion ASAP.

It is highly doubtful that an opposition member could move this process forward with any more expediency than a government member !!

[farmers_son]

The Progressive Conservative Government charged Ray Strom (as a result of lobbying by the energy sector) in late 2003 or early 2004. They have known about this problem for a long time and have chosen to do nothing about it. However the Land Agents Licensing Act Regulations are still in review awaiting approval by Cabinet Policy Committee. Landowners could be exempted from the Act in the regs. with basically little more than the stroke of a pen.

When you point out the benefits of lobbying we need to bear in mind that the energy sector is lobbying government too. Many stakeholder groups lobby government. I do not think the issues I listed earlier are a result of a lack of lobby effort on the part of rural Alberta. Those problems arise as a direct result of a government that as of the last ten years has ignored rural Alberta. The rural Alberta vote is taken for granted.

This government is way too closely aligned with the wishes of the energy sector. You say "If the government of the day is not responsive to concerns of large groups of citizens, then change will happen.” I agree. The Progressive Conservative Government of Alberta has not been responsive to the concerns of rural Alberta whether those concerns center around water, rural school closures, rural hospital closures, CAIS payments that were supposed to be based on loss of equity in the cow herd which the province now wants to say was a loan that needs to be repaid, scaleback of enforcement of the energy sector by the EUB, the free hand given to the energy sector to run this province as it sees fit not to even mention gerrymandering the vote away from rural Alberta to the cities.

Voting for anyone but the PC candidate in a by-election is probably the ultimate way to lobby government. If Shirley McClellan could not get the government to listen to rural Alberta I doubt if any of the other potential candidates for the PC nomination can do better. The only way to get the PCs to not take the rural vote for granted is to withhold that vote from them and a by-election is a good place to do that so that change will happen.

I really think that the actions of the Progressive Conservative Government of the Province of Alberta in concert with their bosom buddies the energy sector who for three years chose to drag through the court system one small person whose only crime was he helped rural landowners deal with the oil companies will become a lightning rod and a icon for landowner dissatisfaction with the way rural Alberta has been treated by this Government. The proverbial straw that broke the camels back.

[skhadenuf]

Full marks to you farmer-son, I am not totally up to par on this particular issue, however as you mentioned in earlier posts the rural decline is a real thing happenning and as I have said in other threads it's about time that those who need our vote federally or provincially actually give rural people a fair representation for that vote. We should not just be satisfied with voting for the power of the day we need to be getting some mileage out of our vote. I agree totally especially in a situation where there is a by-election give those that are taking us in the rural areas for granted a boot up the ---.

[coppertop]

It will be very interesting to see what the majority of the electorate decide in the two by-elections.

In my constituency the candidates that ran for parties other than the PC's were a dismal lot to say the least.

We do have an excellent fellow who will run for the Green Party in the next provincial election, however, his chances of winning are slim.

FS, what do you envision Alberta would look like on an economic scale if we did not have the resource industries at work here ? I will await your answer before I make further comments on the subject.

[farmers_son]

I recall Peter Lougheed making the comment as he was leaving the leadership of the PCs to the effect that the challenge for the party was to strike a balance between the provinces various interests. I think Lougheed did that very well but the leaders that followed were not up to the task in the same fashion as Lougheed was. And I think it has gotten progressively worse. I hope Ed Stelmach will break the trend but that remains to be seen, for instance we still await the government response on the Strom issue. I think it is a fair comment to say that the balance between oil and agriculture in this province has totally gone out the window.

When you mention resource industries, I would point out that agriculture is a resource industry too. Alberta is blessed with two major resource industries but the Progressive Conservative Government of the Province of Alberta has to start to view agriculture as more than just a breeding ground for oil field workers or a sure fire vote in any provincial election.

[coppertop]

FS, Alberta is blessed with more than one resource industry. If you doubt that, check with communities like Whitecourt, Drayton Valley etc. they will tell you that a triving forestry industry has kept their communities afloat when there has been a down turn in the oil and gas sector.

I am well ware that Agriculture is an industry as well, heaven forbid I forget that, since I have been involved in the industry for in excess of 30 years.

The spin off effect of the dollars earned in the resource industries including agriculture certainly are responsible for the thriving economy in the province. I do think that those involved in the agriculture industry are much more frugal when it comes to spending, and certainly realize the value of their hard earned money vs easy come easy go which seems to be the norm with some of those involved in the other industries. Having said that, those that choose to spend their cash on toys, vacations, new homes etc. certainly inject a lot of dollars into their communities.

[hayburner]

coppertop you stated you read the PC resolutions and there is not much subsence. Would it be possible to post some of them on this site. I have always been a thru blue tory but I am really having second thoughts now. The MLA's have lost touch with not only rural Albertans but most of the population except the high paid oil and gas executives who control the purse strings and the strings that are attached to pupets in the Government. I tend to agree that the bielection should take the riding out of the PC hands and maybe it would be a good wake up call. That Ed better move on change quickly and not follow the KIng Ralph's example.

[coppertop]

Calgary Mountain View – A Resolution
Resolution to immediately set up a committee to study and come up with recommendations for the construction of nuclear power plants for use in tar sands development, including public consultations with experts from the private sector.

Calgary Nose Hill – B Resolution
Be it resolved that the Government of Alberta adopt a comprehensive watershed based management strategy in order to protect the sources of domestic water from contamination and to ensure future water quality and sustainability.

Cypress Medicine Hat – A Resolution
Be it resolved that the "Government of Alberta entrench property rights in Alberta".

Cardston Taber Warner – A Resolution
Be it resolved that:
1. For 2006, and 2007 producers be given the choice of inventory valuation under the old system or under the new system.
2. For all years, seed actually used on your own farm be excluded from inventory valuation.
3. To correct for the negative impact of inventory carryover on reference margins, producers be given the option of including all crop grown that year, including unsold inventory, in the production margin for that year, when calculating the reference margin for future years.

Edmonton Calder – A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Alberta Government create a multi-stakeholder task force to formulate a provincial water pricing structure as part the implementation of the Water for Life Strategy and its laudable goals of conservation.

Edmonton Rutherford - A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Alberta government act with haste in appointing a select committee of the Legislature to find ways and means of ensuring that Albertans will no longer feel insecure is the preservation and enjoyment of their property and their rights thereto.

Edmonton Whitemud – B Resolution
Resolved: that the Government of Alberta establish and implement policies required to:
(a) Ensure that Alberta’s air and water quality are the standard by which all provinces measure their environmental protection activities; and,
(b) Ensure that the province’s water resources, which are experiencing the challenges of rapid population and industrial growth, as well as changing climate, are appropriately managed in the best interest of all Albertans.

Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo – A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Government of Alberta undertake a program to further facilitate the access to Crown Land in areas that are undergoing rapid development. Having more efficient access to land well in advance of ongoing yearly development would allow for more effective long-range planning. A more efficient process would have a positive impact on housing costs, sociological issues and industrial space shortages.

Grande Prairie Wapiti – B Resolution
Be it resolved that the Alberta government return a fair share of resource revenues to all resource communities to ensure they are able to manage growth pressures and to continue to contribute to the prosperity of Alberta.

Highwood – A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Alberta Government start an initiative to have property rights entrenched as a right of all Albertans.

Highwood – B Resolution
Be it resolved that Alberta allow BSE testing when required for market access.

Lac La Biche – St. Paul – B Resolution
Be it resolved that the Alberta Government research, develop and implement incentive programs to encourage landowners to provide environmental goods and services such as fresh water, clean air, and wildlife habitat.

Red Deer North – A Resolution
Encourage and reward conservation of water in legislation and policy where it is viable to do so; and initiate projects designed to capture and store water to ensure the water supply is well managed for current and future generations.

Spruce Grove Sturgeon St. Albert – B Resolution
Be it resolved that Government of Alberta investigate the long-term effects of underground CO2 storage before implementing policies.

Stony Plain – B Resolution
Be it resolved that the province develop a set of policies focused on the more efficient and/or effective use of energy.

Strathmore Brooks – A Resolution
Be it resolved that all rights of the landowner and/or occupant as outlined in the current Alberta Surface Rights Act (SRA) be preserved.

Whitecourt Ste. Anne – A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta request the Alberta Provincial Government to financially support research and development This should be specifically targeted at increasing the economic viability of Alberta Forested lands

[coppertop]

The above resolutions are some of the better ones, pertaining to resources and environment.

[coppertop]

Calgary Lougheed – B Resolution


Be it resolved that the provincial government take the leadership role and begin immediate plans for completion of the Calgary 37th Street Inner Ring Road, to be built within the existing city corridor, working in conjunction with existing plans. This initiative should be done in parallel with continuing negotiations to complete the plan through the Tsuu T’ina lands.

Edmonton Calder - B Resolution
Be it resolved the Government of Alberta provide regulatory licensing for those engaged in foreign workers recruitment into Alberta, as well as create a central registry in regards to monitor the placement of these foreign workers in Alberta. Whereas, it would be a benefit to Alberta industry to increase the strategic supply the skilled labour, while safeguarding the foreign worker to the same employment standards enjoyed by all Albertans.

Edmonton McClung - A Resolution
Be it resolved the Province move expeditiously to bring the western leg of Anthony Henday Drive up to free-flow standards by completing all planned overpass.

Grande Prairie Wapiti – A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Alberta government make completion of this “CANAMEX” North-South trade corridor a high priority and commit to completion within the next two years.

St. Albert – A Resolution
Be it resolved that new large scale industrial developments must partner with provincial and municipal governments in jointly providing the funding required for the expansion of supporting municipal infrastructure.

St. Albert - B Resolution
Be it resolved that the Government of Alberta be requested to act as quickly as possible in carry-out and releasing the results of a study outlining the feasibility and costs of establishing a Municipal Property Tax Assistance Program that would operate in a manner similar to the existing Provincial Education Property Tax Assistance Program for seniors.

Leduc Beaumont Devon – A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Government of Alberta support the development of inland ports, which utilize inter-modal transportation, as a means of fully unlocking the economic potential associated with the development of the Pacific Gateway in Prince Rupert.

Lesser Slave Lake - A Resolution
Be it resolved that the Government of Alberta direct the Transportation Department to become pro-active in the development of roads and services necessary to fully access the abundant resources of this province. The areas where the resources are being discovered and developed are the remote parts of Alberta and the usual method of basing road and service development on usage is a deterrent, rather than assistance to the development of these resources as economic generation.

Lesser Slave Lake - B Resolution
Be it resolved that the Government of Alberta work with all education facilities to eliminate turf protection and incorrect information re: what courses are required by the student for selected area of study. The major universities, of present necessity, limit the numbers of qualified students admitted into some disciplines but resist allowing other facilities to provide first and/or second year instruction in these same disciplines. It would be an advantage for students to take their education closer to home both economically and would make the adjustment of moving from smaller schools into post-secondary learning easier.