COLD LAKE – In the contested Cold Lake-Bonnyville-St. Paul riding, candidates Caitlyn Blake with the New Democratic Party (NDP), and Scott Cyr of the United Conservative Party (UCP), presented their platforms to the electorate during a May 16 forum in Cold Lake.
Regulatory burdens to businesses
Following introductions, the floor opened with a question regarding regulatory burdens to businesses.
Blake said the Alberta NDP will reduce the price of utilities, freeze auto insurance for more affordability to businesses and families alike, and has proposed the Alberta Venture Fund to allow Albertans to “invest in start-ups and scale-ups.”
The Alberta NDP also plans to freeze personal income tax, eliminate small business tax, and create an agriculture value added program to help farmers “access capital to expand their businesses,” added Blake.
Cyr criticized the Alberta NDP, stating during the party’s time in power between 2015-19, they lowered the red tape rating of Alberta, citing the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB), from an A-rating to F.
He said the UCP brought it back to A-rating when they got into power, and that the UCP will continue to reduce red tape safely, adding the action is “proof” of the UCP’s commitment to advocating for businesses.
Business tax
Cyr said that like the Alberta NDP, the UCP is also committed to maintaining low taxes. He pointed out that the UCP had previously advocated for such reductions in the legislature but faced opposition from the NDP.
Additionally, he raised concerns about the NDP's plan to increase the business tax by 38 per cent.
In response, Blake said the 38 per cent increase is specific to corporate tax rates, believing the current corporate tax rate is so low that it leads to a significant loss of revenue for the province.
The aim is to ensure that tax breaks and incentives offered to large businesses are targeted effectively, resulting in tangible outcomes such as job creation and local investment, rather than the money leaving the province, according to Blake.
Improving access to health care
Speaking about health care, Blake proposed immediate actions like launching a large-scale doctor recruitment program, supporting immigrant doctors' credentialing, and expanding post-secondary healthcare education by opening 10,000 more spaces in post-secondary healthcare.
She also noted Alberta NDP’s “Family Health Teams” model which surrounds doctors with a diverse team of healthcare professionals, freeing up doctors to see more patients and reducing strain on emergency rooms. She mentioned a clinic in Taber already successfully implemented the model, which she claimed saved $62.2 million in healthcare expenses over 10 years.
Cyr mentioned the UCP's efforts to reduce barriers for foreign nurses, which he said resulted in over 1,400 new nurses coming to Alberta in the past four years. Cyr said one way to address the shortage of doctors in rural areas is to limit the number of foreign students in medical schools, suggesting that priority should be given to rural students.
He believes rural students should be trained and encouraged to return to rural communities. Cyr also mentioned the UCP's intention to reduce the burdens associated with bringing in foreign doctors, similar to the approach taken for nurses.
Hidden Taxes
Both candidates also answered a question on hidden taxes such as municipal franchise fees that make living and doing business in Alberta more expensive.
Blake said consistent funding for municipalities to enable effective planning is necessary. She criticized the UCP for cutting $32 million in municipal funding, which she said led to increased property taxes as a way for the provincial government to “avoid accountability.”
She also criticized the UCP’s indexation of income tax brackets last year, stating it “essentially” taxed inflation. She also criticized the UCP for not regulating the “excessive” fees attached to utility bills.
Cyr reiterated the UCP will continue to reduce red tape by finding inefficiencies, reducing taxes, and addressing hidden costs for businesses.
He criticized the significant tax increases implemented by the NDP government during their time in power. According to Cyr, the NDP imposed hidden taxes through capped fees, which he said was passed on to businesses and taxpayers.
He also expressed concerns about the potential costs associated with the NDP's net-zero grid plan to address climate change.
Highway 28 twinning
Both candidates acknowledged that Highway 28 needs to be fixed, with Blake citing a 2018 study that found the need for the reconstruction of curves between Smoky Lake and Bonnyville, highway twinning between Bonnyville and Cold Lake, and passing lanes between Ashmont and Bonnyville, for example.
When the UCP came into power, Blake criticized the party, acknowledging that while they did prioritize it, “nothing was done on that front.” She also criticized the UCP’s recent $5 million commitment for a study of Highway 28, stating “I would like to see action beyond a plan.”
According to Cyr, a plan is necessary before action, acknowledging that while Highway 28 was not included in the 2023 provincial budget, the UCP immediately recognized the need for its improvement. He noted the UCP then reached out and received $5 million from the Treasury Board, and the funding should not be undermined.
Senior pension
Both candidates also acknowledged concerns from seniors regarding the potential transition from the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) to an Alberta Pension Plan.
Cyr noted the need for further investigation and study before making any decisions, stating such a significant decision is made collectively and should not be influenced by any single person or group.
He clarified that their platform does not currently include advocacy for an Alberta Pension Plan, and any movement in that direction would require consultation with Albertans.
Blake said the transition is a “terrifying prospect,” especially for fixed-income individuals in a time of hyperinflation, adding the Alberta NDP will protect CPP.
Repeat offenders
Both candidates also acknowledged issues around rural crime and repeat offenders.
Cyr said there is a need for stricter penalties for repeat offenders. He argued that leniency in the justice system allows criminals to continue harming businesses, people, and properties. He criticized the “soft” approach to crime and attributed it to federal policy.
Simply hiring more RCMP officers will not solve the issue if the courts continue to release offenders, Cyr said, stating the UCP will work to correct the issue, citing bail reform as an example.
Blake said work needs to be done to look at underlying issues that contribute to petty crimes and repeat offenders, such as homelessness.
She believes in addressing the root causes of crime and offering more support to individuals in crisis through services like FCSS (Family and Community Support Services).
