Reeve concerned by Redford resignation fallout

The fallout of Alison Redford’s resignation as Alberta premier will be felt in Barrhead, Reeve Bill Lee said last week.

He voiced concern about the impact on the community’s marathon struggle to win far greater casino revenues.

Only days before Redford’s announcement, he said, Finance Minister Doug Horner had indicated a compromise solution was on the horizon.

Now he fears the issue will get lost in a political whirlwind as the Progressive Conservative Party looks for a new leader.

Also of concern, said Lee, was the effect on agriculture at a time when moving Alberta’s grain backlog was a hot topic.

“The issues we are concerned about, the ruling party isn’t concerned about at this time,” he said.

“How long is it going to take to find a new leader? It could be that matters like casinos and agriculture will be put on the back burner, or maybe even drop off the table.”

Barrhead Mayor Gerry St. Pierre did not foresee much impact on the Town from Redford’s departure.

He was also sceptical about Horner’s idea of putting more gaming revenue into casino payouts for rural communities.

“I don’t think it’s the right solution,” he said.

St. Pierre agreed with Lee that Barrhead-born Horner – touted as a possible replacement for Redford – had displayed admirable political qualities in his Ministerial career.

If he became leader, he might be more sympathetic to rural communities like Barrhead, said St. Pierre.

Redford announced her resignation on Wednesday at a podium inside the Alberta Legislature.

Her decision – which took effect last Sunday evening – followed spiralling controversy over her trip to South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s funeral. It emerged she had spent $45,000 on first-class air tickets and a government plane to attend the event with an aide.

Other revelations surfaced: she used government planes for a vacation, to fly her daughter and her daughter’s friends around, and to go to a family funeral in Vancouver.

Redford, who was being punished in the polls, later paid back the South Africa trip money and apologized. Nevertheless, the damage had been done: two Tory MLAs quit the party amid distracting questions about leadership style and caucus allegiances.

“As leader of this government and this party, that has weighed heavily on my mind,” said Redford, who will remain in the legislature as the MLA for Calgary-Elbow

“Quite simply, I am not prepared to allow party and caucus infighting to get in the way of building a better future for our province and for all Albertans. That is why I am announcing today, that with a profound optimism for Alberta’s future, I am resigning as premier of Alberta effective this Sunday evening.”

Last Thursday, Alberta’s PC caucus chose Dave Hancock as interim leader and premier. The longest-serving minister in cabinet, Hancock has been deputy premier to Redford.

Among those being mentioned as a possible leadership candidate is Doug Horner, a former deputy premier and Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. Someone with politics in his blood – his father, grandfather and uncles held political office – he was a contender in the 2011 leadership election, placing third.

Last week he did not rule out another attempt.

“I’ve made no decisions about my future at this point in time,” he said. “Yesterday was a bit of a shock for a lot of people and we are going to take stock.”

Other possible candidates include Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk, Municipal Affairs Minister Ken Hughes and Energy Minister Diana McQueen.

Speaking after last Thursday’s Barrhead County Council meeting, Lee said he had been surprised by Redford’s resignation.

He heard the news after attending the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Countries spring convention at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton. Other County councillors were also there.

At the convention, said Lee, Redford has spoken positively about agriculture and the need to move grain.

“She was talking about agriculture being the second biggest industry in province. We were encouraged. We felt this lady has shown leadership and is behind us. I couldn’t believe it when I heard she was resigning.

“For us as a municipality, it’s going to affect us because we left the AAMDCC spring meeting pretty pumped.”

Lee said he had raised the casino controversy with Horner before the convention and at Ministerial forum.

The issue revolves on the disparity of casino payouts between rural communities and cities like Edmonton and Calgary.

According to the County and Town, rural groups in Barrhead get less than $18,000 compared to $80,000 in urban centres. Also of concern is the three-year wait time between casinos for rural communities.

“I asked Horner about casinos and he said he has a plan that hasn’t yet been passed by caucus,” said Lee. “The plan is that as they come up with new gambling programs, such as scratch and wins, they will start taking all the profits out of that and pool it into a separate pot.

“He figures that in about 18 months there will be enough money for us to match what revenues city casinos are paying out. City casinos will still get their $80,000, but now we will also be getting $80,000. I was happy with that.”

Lee said Horner also pledged to work on the issue of three-year wait times.

Now, however, Redford’s resignation had plunged issues like casinos and agriculture into uncertainty, he said.

“Everyone is running round trying to figure out who is going to be the next guy to lead the PC party, everyone is running around doing politics, campaigning and strategizing,” said Lee. “Meanwhile, we are left out of the picture.

“Are they going to make sure our grain gets moved?

“What about the casino issue? It might just get lost. It’s not good.”

On a more positive note, said Lee, the timing of Redford’s resignation meant the ruling party had another two years or so to get its house in order before an election.

“They can get another leader and go into a new election with some promise,” he said.

Lee believed Horner would be a strong leadership contender.

“I’ve always liked Doug,” he said. “He has made a very good Finance Minister and I liked him as Minister of Agriculture too. He will be good for rural Alberta.”

He added: “I wouldn’t hesitate voting for him.”

St. Pierre also praised Horner’s qualities.

“He speaks well and is practical and sensible,” he said of his former neighbour.

However, St. Pierre wondered how much freedom Horner would enjoy as leader within the confines of the party caucus.

St. Pierre said he had not been very surprised by Redford’s resignation.

“She has been under a lot of pressure,” he said.