When the Progressive Conservative Party selects its new leader later this week they will also be choosing Alberta’s next premier.
There are six worthy candidates vying for the top job, but they each bring different strengths, ideas and vision to the table.
Following is my review of the candidates running for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party in Alberta.
Gary Mar
Mar’s platform focuses on more participation of constituency presidents to represent local decision making. He would focus on increasing the Heritage Fund to $40 billion within 10 years. He would expand Alberta internationally exploring new markets for oil. Mar would ensure the oil industry would be more environmental friendly and expand the market for agricultural products. On education, Mar talks about long-term funding for school boards. He does not mention that teachers and students should be number one regarding education. On health for the province, Mar does not seem to be consistent. One has to wonder, would he treat health care much as he did while he was minister of health? He has also suggested opening Alberta’s health care sector to private options, similar to the system which Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands employ. Is this wise?
Doug Horner
Horner is dedicated to changes to facilitate education providing teachers with the tools required to better educate students.
If elected Horner would make the role more accessible ensuring all levels of government could be reached for input from the local level. He would also entertain a combined HST tax in exchange for the elimination of Alberta Income Tax. Horner advocates big changes need to be implemented to the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.
Regarding health care he advocates working within the system to improve it to where the patient has more flexibility to be a part of their own care.
Regarding property rights, he would be firm on families being protected when utility companies want to trespass or take the landowners property for whatever reason.
Rick Orman
Orman would concentrate on building more affordable facilities for seniors. The purpose for these amenities is two-fold: the accommodation is necessary as well as beds would be made available in hospitals. He would also eliminate the ‘red-tape’ hampering our health system at the present. He advocates having health care centres throughout the province where region managers control the requirements of healthcare in their particular region.
In education he wants to work with local school divisions and create a more efficient and cohesive Alberta Education.
Agriculture is an area in which he would give special attention. He would repeal Bill 36. He would insist that utilities and oil companies must respect the rights of landowners.
If elected as leader of the Progressive Conservative (PC) party he would work closely with the oil industry to protect the environment and control emissions.
Alison Redford
Redford would call for a judicial inquiry into allegations of queue jumping in our health care system. She would delve into allegations of political interference and intimidation of health workers. She advocates giving the local health boards the right to make their own decisions based on requirements in that particular region.
In education Redford promotes more post-secondary educational institutions. She would encourage the guaranteed three-year funding for school boards so these boards would be in a position to plan prudently for the future.
In agricultural Redford stated family farms are important and would repeal Bill 36.
She feels the oil industry must be regulated so the energy fields are more environmentally friendly and emissions are controlled.
Alison is prepared to work with cabinet ministers and give them more of a free rein. She also advocates back-benchers having more voice in government affairs.
Doug Griffiths
Griffiths is a strong supporter of both primary and secondary education. He feels the arts must be supported under prudent stewardship. He would promote the extension of post secondary education to districts somewhat removed from the large centres. Griffith would encourage universities to expand their facilities to accommodate more research. His philosophy is school divisions must have predictable three year allocation of money so they may plan for the future.
On health care, he is aware many radical changes in the system must be implemented. He is cognizant Alberta Health must work closely with all health professionals and solutions must be found regarding the long wait-times for surgical operations and other urgent procedures.
In agriculture, Griffiths said Alberta must emphasize local food production for economic stability. We must break down barriers to foreign agriculture markets and become well established all over the world. Griffiths cautions we must leave the Heritage Fund alone and let it grow. He is an avid promoter of ensuring Alberta be a leader in research, exports and environment.
His plans for the future of the PC party of Alberta are to modernize and otherwise somewhat staid party. In so doing, he would make the party more open to accessibility by the public.
Ted Morton
Morton would renew and reinvigorate the PC party by making things more advantageous for Albertans. He would strive to promote Alberta companies and industries to reach the centre of the most competitive business environment of North America and expand our markets in industry, energy and agriculture throughout the world. He would insist on fiscal responsibility so there would be balanced budgets and rebuild the Heritage Trust Fund.
On the agricultural Morton is aware we are one of the leading agricultural centres of the world. He is cognizant a strong economy has a strong agricultural base. He wants to eliminate the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and assist with many new ventures to develop new varieties of grains which will mature earlier, be more frost-resistant and produce greater yields. Regarding the meat industry, he would challenge the USA on their protection violations of the NAPFTA markets at the World Trade Organization. On education, Morton stands firm there cannot be any cutting of education grants. He would insist monies allotted to education must be prudently handled. He knows students and teachers come first.
He would rebuild the Heritage Trust Fund and leave it untouched to grow.
Morton said the health care sector needs many changes and he is prepared to face these challenges. He knows wait times must be shortened and he is willing to encourage more medical research.
