In wake of the announcement of the new provincial budget, Bonnyville – Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr is standing up for energy sector jobs in the legislature.
“The NDP's risky economic ideas are hurting Albertans who work in the energy sector in Bonnyville – Cold Lake,” Cyr told members of the legislative assembly. “I don't see any meaningful solutions to curb job losses in the NDP budget either, just more risky economic ideas.”
The NDP's tabled their first budget as the new provincial government late last month. With the budget comes something Cyr has been voicing his displeasure on since the election – a deficit. Overall, Cyr said there's “nothing positive about this budget”.
“We're running massive deficits and we're raising taxes. It's very disappointing to see that we're moving in this direction. While residents in our riding are losing their jobs, we're seeing more hiring at the management levels and raises given out when we should have freezes happening. It's very disappointing.”
The local MLA called out the new job creation initiative, which would see businesses receive $5,000 for every new job created, noting the government's own economist is skeptical of the credit. Cyr also made sure to have his voice heard on the issue of protecting jobs in all industries, not just public service workers as the NDP have focused.
“The Wildrose really want to protect the frontline workers as well but we haven't heard anything about protecting our other industries, whether it's agriculture or forestry or the energy industry, which is distressing.”
Included in the provincial budget was the switch to a progressive personal income tax system, as opposed to Alberta's former 10 per cent flat rate tax.
“We have some very high earning residents. The fact is that the flat tax is one of the fairest taxes, everybody pays 10 per cent except for low income, anyone under $20,000 pays no taxes at all,” said Cyr. “When it comes to it we're going to see very large tax increases for our higher earners, which is pretty much targeting Northern Alberta.”
With the already struggling oil prices, the provincial NDP's delivered yet another blow to the oil and gas companies in the form of a corporate tax increase to 12 per cent.
“It's actually a 20 per cent increase. The timing of it altogether: the royalty review, the carbon tax review, the minimum wage increase, the corporate tax, the personal tax; all of it together is probably going to have a snowball effect.”
By the end of the year oil companies are expected to know the outcome of the royalty review, with many, including Cyr, believing indications point towards an increase in royalties. The local MLA will be feeling the effects of the new budget first hand, as the NDP's announced a salary freeze for all MLAs and ministers.
“When Alberta is going through tough times, it's something that I feel strongly we shouldn't be getting raises during those times. I feel fully that MLAs and cabinet ministers shouldn't be getting raises during this downturn,” said Cyr.
Though not pleased with the NDP budget, the Bonnyville – Cold Lake MLA is hopeful the area he represents will be seeing some of the newly allocated funding, including dollars for local infrastructure projects. The budget did make mention of improvements to Highway 28, as well as the Water for Life program. However, there haven't been any announcements made yet if this area will benefit from that.
“So far, when you look at the budget it's been pretty closed mouth. I'm looking forward to some of the announcements,” said Cyr.
He added, “I've heard from municipal officials that they've had very good meetings with the ministers and I want to see money coming into our riding. Especially now when we're looking at a downturn in our area and we're losing jobs.”
Not even a month after the budget was tabled, the full effects from it have yet to be felt. While it might not be noticeable to all Albertans right away, Cyr said it's the long-term consequences of a $50 billion debt cap that the next generations will have to deal with.
“My concern is that in the four years we're going to be bouncing off that debt cap and the NDP are going to have the decision whether they're going to make the cuts they should have made now, or whether they're going to raise the debt cap. To be honest, I think raising the cap is the way they'll go.”
Now that he's questioned the NDP on energy sector jobs and made his dissatisfaction known in legislature, Cyr's next project will be addressing the issue of code red with ambulances in the Bonnyville – Cold Lake area.
“This is one thing I want to prepare for before I go to the minister; this is something affecting Bonnyville and Cold Lake. The fact that we don't have ambulance coverage for hours is very disappointing.”
