What a Difference a Day Makes!
On Monday, Oct. 3, Premier-Designate Alison Redford announced that the fall sitting of the Alberta Legislature would not occur. Rather, the next sitting would be scheduled for some time in the spring of 2012. On Tuesday, Oct. 4, after the Premier-Designate met with her Progressive Conservative caucus and heard an outcry from Albertans, a decision reversal took place, as a fall sitting of the legislature was announced.
What a difference a day makes!
For many months leading up to the Oct. 1 leadership vote, St. Paul – Lac La Biche MLA Ray Danyluk campaigned vigorously for leadership candidate Doug Horner as the voice for rural Alberta. The message seemed to be that if Doug Horner did not become premier, rural Alberta’s voice in the PC government would not be heard. Yet in the front page article of the Oct. 4 St. Paul Journal, MLA Danyluk is quoted as stating, referring to Premier-Designate Redford, “She is someone who I believe has a connection, an understanding of rural Alberta.”
What a difference a day makes!
During the leadership election campaign, Alison Redford spoke of reversing policies and legislation that gave the premier and cabinet unfettered control and which gave citizens no opportunity to appeal decisions to the courts. One example is the reduction of property rights for Albertans. Another is the approval of the construction of electrical power transmission lines that are not needed but to be paid by Albertans who use electrical power. Ms. Redford spoke of creating a new cabinet with which she would lead the charge to implement her new vision. Yet on Oct. 4 she made two appointments to powerful legislative positions. Doug Horner to be deputy premier, and Dave Hancock to be government house leader, positions held by both in Premier Stelmach’s administration. Will the cabinet to be appointed this week be just as creative?
What a difference a day makes!
Carl Christensen
St. Lina
