Dear Editor,
Flip-Flop! Flip-Flop! What’s that noise? It’s the sound of our Premier-elect, Allison Redford’s campaign promises concerning Bill 50. Bill 50 was notorious for sidestepping the provincial regulator to authorize the Cabinet to single-handedly approve $$$ billions in electricity transmission mega-projects, regardless of cost to ratepayers or need.
In her letter dated Sept 23, 2011, Alison Redford promises to suspend Bill 50, “until fixed.” FLIP! Yet she promises to storm ahead and build the first two projects listed in Bill 50. FLOP!
She states that many of the “critical” transmission projects listed in Bill 50 are “not critical,” and should be subject to public scrutiny and cost-benefit analysis. FLIP! Except for the Heartland Project and an Edmonton-Calgary line, which, contrary to evidence from experts, Cabinet deemed “critical.” FLOP!
In the same letter, Alison Redford promises that the Expropriation Act will be “applied to every single case, no exceptions.” FLIP! At this very moment, AltaLink is pressuring dozens of families on the Heartland route into deals where they have absolutely no protection under the Expropriation Act. FLOP!
As a senior Cabinet Minister, she stood shoulder to shoulder with her PC cronies, voted for and defended Bill 50 as critical to Albertans. FLIP! As Premier, she will “review it” because it is flawed. FLOP!
Alison Redford promises to do politics differently. FLIP! However, she is still surrounded by the good old boys. FLOP!
Albertans voted for Alison Redford because we trust her to fulfill her campaign promises. Unfortunately, if she doesn’t act quickly, it will be too late for the Alberta residents on the Heartland route, and her promises become as empty as we’ve come to expect from PC politicians.
Pat James
St. Albert, Alta.
