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| The work of the new UCP government has begun in the Alberta Legislature |
It seems the United
Conservative Party (UCP) of Alberta, headed by Premier Jason Kenney, is going
in to high gear bringing forward an ambitious legislative lineup marking the Spring of
Renewal.
And in that Spring of Renewal, Kenney remarked, “Albertans have always punched above their weight in the national
economy. By removing obstacles to growth, we are sending a clear message to
investors, job creators and entrepreneurs all over the world that Alberta is
once again open for business and open for jobs.”
Outlined in the Speech from the Throne, delivered by Lt.-Gov. Lois
Mitchell the following day (Wednesday May 22nd), was an ambitious
plan was introduced. If passed, the
first four bills of the legislative session would scrap the $1.4-billion carbon
tax ... implement the Job Creation Tax Cut ... introduce the Open for
Business Act and ... cut job-killing red tape.
According to a media release, other proposed legislation would fulfil
education promises and help newcomers work to their training and experience.
“Albertans gave us a mandate to
get Alberta back on track when they supported our economic plan with the
largest number of votes ever cast for a political party in our province. We are
honouring their confidence and our commitments”, said Premier Kenney
Taking no time at all on the commitment side, Alberta’s new government put
the carbon tax on the chopping block, fulfilling a promise made before and
during the election campaign. First up
was Bill 1, An Act to Repeal the Carbon Tax, that Kenney said will create
jobs and puts money back into the pockets of families, businesses and
non-profits.
Commented Premier Kenney, “We
campaigned on scrapping the job-killing carbon tax and Albertans responded loud
and clear. We’re keeping our commitment to eliminate this tax grab to create
jobs and put more money back into the pockets of hard-working Albertans.”
Moving to the jobs front, Government House leader Jason Nixon observed:
“We’ve seen tremendous interest
from businesses and investors who are already responding to our Job Creation
Tax Cut, and from Albertans who will no longer be punished for heating their
homes and driving to work.”
Continuing, he spoke to the government being ... excited to get to work
on this legislative agenda and to start making life better for the people of
this province.
And in what could be perceived as a warning to BC’s NDP government led
by Premier John Horgan, the Quebec government of François
Legault, and the federal Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier
Kenney let it be known that:
“Our government is taking
immediate action to get Alberta back to work by renewing our province’s fiscal
and economic advantages, standing up for our interests within the Canadian
federation and making life better for Albertans by renewing the quality of our
public services.”
Round number one goes to Jason Kenney – now let’s
see how Horgan, Legault, and Trudeau react
NOTE ... other throne speech commitments made yesterday (May 22nd)
include:
- tabling a Royalties Guarantee Act to restore energy sector competitiveness and investor confidence
- enabling municipalities to use property tax incentives to attract investments and jobs
- making it easier for newcomers to work at their skill levels
- reforming curriculum and increasing education choice
- reducing the tax, and regulatory burden, on farmers
- taking action on climate change by focusing on large industrial emissions
- creating the Aboriginal Opportunities Corporation ... and ...
- introducing protections for victims of human trafficking and expanding protections for victims of domestic violence
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