Category: Economic

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Alberta Economic Politics

Social Media Backlash Responsible for Popularity of #PrenticeBlamesAlbertans

#PrenticeBlamesAlbertans, social media backlash

#PrenticeBlamesAlbertans has exploded to life as the premier faces a social media backlash over his recent comments, which are seen by some as blaming the people for the mistakes and errors of the government. When Prentice told Canadians to look in the mirror if they wanted to see who was responsible for the current economic problems this did not sit well with many citizens, and the social media backlash started almost immediately. The exact comment by Prentice was “In terms of who is responsible, we all need only look in the mirror, right? It’s basically all of us have had the best of everything and have not had to pay for what it costs. Collectively, we got into this as Albertans and collectively we’re going to get out of it. Everybody is going to have to shoulder some share of the responsibility.”

The social media backlash against Jim Prentice started on Twitter with the handle #PrenticeBlamesAlbertans, which was intended to be critical of the comments and shows that most Albertans blame the government for financial mismanagement. There have been many calls for Prentice to apologize for his elitist comments, with many saying that the remarks were insulting and condescending to citizens. Some do not feel this way though. Health Minister Stephen Mandel said “This is not about you versus us, this is about how we’re going to solve this as a team, as a province, I don’t think you take it as looking in the mirror because you look in the mirror and blame yourself, you look in the mirror and say ‘Gee how can I help?’ Finance Minister Robin Campbell stated “I think its blown out of proportion and I think the the Premier has made it very clear what he wants to do. I think he’s passionate about this province.”

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Alberta Economic

Teachers in Alberta Concerned About Possible Budget Cuts

teachers, budget cuts

Teachers in Alberta are concerned about possible budget cuts as oil prices continue to drop and the government face potential budget shortfalls. Wood Buffalo is one of the areas which could be impacted if the new 2015 budget cuts school and teacher funding. According to Mark Ramsankar, who is the president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, “The greatest source of frustration I hear from teachers is they are unable to reach the children in the classroom with the resources available. They know the needs of the children, but they can’t reach them because they don’t have the resources. The impact the projected cuts will have on education and the classroom in general, we believe, will be devastating.” Jim Prentice has already warned that coming budget cuts could be almost 10%, and that is a significant amount.

When discussing the needs of teachers and the potential budget cuts Ramsankar also said “When we look at the pressures teachers are under, it’s about making sure they have the opportunity to really extend the education system. What we’re trying to do is give students a fighting chance for their futures. To simply turn it back and suggest teachers whine about these conditions is overstated.” Wood Buffalo already has a high cost of living, and new teachers do not make a lot of money. In addition there is already a lack of resources for teachers in Wood Buffalo, and budget cuts could just make things worse for teachers and students both because some schools have high populations while others continuously scout for new students.

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Alberta Economic

The Alberta Government has Allotted $12 Million for RMWB Municipal Infrastructure

municipal infrastructure, Alberta government

It is no secret that the RMWB municipal infrastructure is in need of some upgrades, and the Alberta government has allotted $12 million so that this can be accomplished. The funds will come from $400 million provided by the Municipal Sustainability Initiative, and these funds are intended to help Wood Buffalo continue to make improvements to the municipal infrastructure in spite of lean times and a tough economy. Diana McQueen, the Municipal Affairs minister explained “Our province is preparing for some tough budgets over the next few years due to a significant drop in our oil prices. I have heard concerns, and what I have heard has been pretty consistent … foregoing these key projects could mean that they cost more later and we may miss an opportunity to take advantage of lower construction costs.”

Coun. Sheldon Germain voiced some questions about the money for municipal infrastructure from the Alberta government. Germain said “We budgeted in 2015 to receive … $35.6 million (from MSI) in our capital budget,. We’re unclear right now whether that $12 million is new money or if it’s a portion of the (money) that we’ve already budgeted to receive in 2015. The reason why I think that’s prudent for council to do is in our economic climate, we have to exercise some caution. There has been a lot of noise out of the province that funding may be cut, so we don’t know how that may affect the municipality going forward.” According to McQueen “This funding is designed to help our partners meet their capital infrastructure commitments and position them well,. It’s a strategic investment ahead of what plans to be some difficult budget years, and I know our partners will use this money prudently.”

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Economic Ft Mac Politics

Is Jim Prentice Elitist? Brian Jean Says Yes!

Brian Jean, Jim Prentice

According to Brian Jean, who is the Wildrose leadership candidate, Jim Prentice is an elitist based on some of his recent comments. An interview last Wednesday with CBC radio Prentice commented that “In terms of who is responsible, we all need only look in the mirror, right. Basically all of us have had the best of everything and have not had to pay for what it costs. Collectively we got into this as Albertans and collectively we’re going to get out of it and everybody is going to have to shoulder some share of the responsibility.” This statement did not go well with Brian Jean, who responded “To suggest we as Albertans are at fault? My goodness gracious, give your head a shake. You are to blame and the people standing behind and beside you are to blame. It is his PC party and his PC party alone created this mess. Bluntly speaking, they cannot be trusted. To say something so insulting as that, I say if he looks what’s in the mirror, he will see who is to blame.”

Brian Jean is not the only one who took offense at the comments that Jim Prentice made during the radio interview. According to Heather Forsyth, the Wildrose interim leader, “At a time many Albertans are worried about the value of their home plummeting, keeping their job or being able to make ends meet, Mr. Prentice’s comments blaming Albertans for being directly at fault for the PC government’s gross fiscal mismanagement shows how deeply out-of-touch this 44-year-old government has become.” Rachel Notley, the NDP leader, also spoke out against the comments and demanded an apology by stating “Perhaps we should be asking what Mr. Prentice would see if he looked in the mirror. He would see the leader of a tired 44-year-old government that has squandered our resource wealth. He would see a leader who is telling Albertans they will pay more to get less, while giving their money away in tax breaks to big banks, large corporations and high-income Albertans.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

Budget Feedback Provided to Labour Minister During Wood Buffalo Visit

budget feedback, labour minister

Labour minister Kellie Leitch received some budget feedback on a recent Wood Buffalo visit, which is appropriate since she spent a good part of her childhood as a Fort MacMurray resident. When the upcoming budget is released Leitch hopes that the figures will remember what Wood Buffalo stands for. On a recent Tuesday the labour minister took a tour of the Wood Buffalo region and meeting with residents and local business leaders in the area. Leitch also toured a Syncrude Canada mine while she was in the region to consult about certain budget considerations and to check in on the various federal initiatives in the area. The minister commented “It’s our wish that the constituency will be well represented in the upcoming budget.”

There has been a delay since January with the 2015 budget, and the labour minister has said she does not yet know what the budget looks like or when it will actually be released. When discussing the budget feedback received so far Leitch commented “Family tax cut packages will put on average $1,200 back into the hands of Canadian parents. Almost 8 million Canadian families will benefit from tax cut packages.” The labour minister also stated “What Canadians are most concerned about is that Canadians come first when it comes to Canadian jobs. Temporary foreign workers should be available to firms only when they need them. Sometimes a Canadian is just not available. One of the things Syncrude highlighted was how Syncrude punches above its weight with how many young women with skilled trades are at their workforce. That’s something we want to see replicated across the country.”

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Economic Ft Mac

Subzero Challenge Raises Over $47,000 for Centre of Hope

Subzero Challenge, Centre of Hope

The Subzero Challenge is held each year in order to raise funds, and this event has really paid of for the Centre of Hope this year with more than $47,000 raised. This is the fourth year that the challenge has been held, and the organization raised $8,000 more this year than they did last year. All of the hard work and creative fundraising strategies really paid off. The campaign is intended to raise awareness and funds to fight winter homelessness. Since December 1 of 2014 the Centre of Hope has managed to raise $47, 811. Many people do not realize that some individuals and families end up homeless in the winter months, and this can be tragic if there are not resources and support available for those who find themselves homeless during the winter months.

In a release detailing the Annual Subzero Challenge the Centre of Hope fund and communications co-ordinator Barb Rex “All proceeds raised will go to our Extended Hours Program, which keeps our doors open to patrons 365 days a year. The overwhelming success of this campaign ensures that this is now a reality for the Centre of Hope. Way to heat the streets, YMM.” Some of the fundraisers for the challenge this year included a Ride for Hope, a camp out, and an annual Toque Tuesday in the local schools. Rex explained “We are so thankful to our community for all that they do for Centre of Hope, the feeling that we get seeing so many individuals and businesses taking the time to think of our patrons in need is impossible to describe.”