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Klein warns Ottawa of separation threat
Throne speech sends signal
Tom Olsen, Legislature Bureau Chief
Calgary Herald
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
The Alberta government used its speech from the throne to warn Ottawa of separation threats in the province and signal a growing sentiment Albertans feel left out of the essential workings of the country.
"I think Canadians understand Albertans are proud Canadians who want to be part of the Canadian mosaic," said Premier Ralph Klein after the speech, delivered Tuesday by Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole.
"But you can't be part of the Canadian family if big brother down there in Ottawa doesn't want you as part of the family."
Political opponents immediately accused the premier of picking a fight with Ottawa to cloud the province's performance on health care, education and other issues.
"They have raised the red herring of national unity," said New Democrat Leader Raj Pannu.
In the speech, Hole said Albertans want to be full partners in Confederation, "but true partnership is only possible when all parties are respected and valued for what they bring to the table.
"Alberta's ability to be a partner in Canada is compromised by the current federal government, which often does not listen to the people of this province."
Klein said the intent was to inform Ottawa of Alberta's commitment to the country, but the province would rigorously fight for its voice on national issues.
"Yes, I think it's a warning," said Klein. "I don't know what we're going to do other than continue to press the federal government to listen to our concerns, to pay attention to Albertans, to understand what a tremendous asset this province is to Confederation.
"It goes without saying -- and don't slay the messenger -- there are a few people out there who unfortunately are talking separation.
"I want to quell that. I don't like that kind of talk, but the federal government needs to be aware there is that kind of talk out there.
"So all I'm saying to the feds is, 'Listen to us, don't give us the cold shoulder.' "
Klein pointed to the national gun registry, the Kyoto accord and Senate reform as areas where Albertans were largely ignored.
Alberta Liberal Leader Ken Nicol said the province has fallen short in so many areas it has taken on Ottawa to cover it up.
"They're picking a fight with the feds and bringing up this issue of separation, just to divert the attention away from children, health, education and infrastructure," he said.
In the speech, the government promises significant new spending to build schools, hospitals and other facilities. No dollar figure was attached, but Klein earlier this month said it will amount to more than $3 billion over three years.
New legislation will be introduced in a bid to increase competition in the electricity market and bring down costs to consumers.
In health, the government will strike committees to come up with optimum wait times for people seeking services such as hip replacements and consultations with specialists.
"That's because even with one-third of all government spending going to health care, too many people are still waiting too long in emergency and for diagnostics, surgery, long-term care and other services," said Hole.
"It will set limits on how long Albertans would wait for selected services like consultations with specialists and some major surgical procedures."
The province will also move on establishing clinics staffed around the clock by doctors and nurses.
School boards were given $20 million to spend on textbooks and other resources -- a sum far short of expectations of some boards looking for millions of dollars to cover the costs of last year's 14 per cent arbitrated settlement with teachers.
Edmonton public school district has a $13.5-million deficit it says is caused by the wage settlement.
The province will also increase benefits to low-income seniors, and will introduce fiscal reform that will allow the private sector to build public facilities, and will create a stabilization fund to smooth year-to-year program spending.
The major new initiative outlined in the throne speech will create the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids.
Taken in tandem with the government's flagship bill, the Premier's Council on Alberta's Promise Act, the province "will enshrine in law this government's commitment to children and youth," said Hole.
The council will be made up of more than 60 corporate players and other stakeholders, and will concentrate on identifying necessary programs for kids, and lead fundraising efforts to increase their viability.
Throne speech sends signal
Tom Olsen, Legislature Bureau Chief
Calgary Herald
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
The Alberta government used its speech from the throne to warn Ottawa of separation threats in the province and signal a growing sentiment Albertans feel left out of the essential workings of the country.
"I think Canadians understand Albertans are proud Canadians who want to be part of the Canadian mosaic," said Premier Ralph Klein after the speech, delivered Tuesday by Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole.
"But you can't be part of the Canadian family if big brother down there in Ottawa doesn't want you as part of the family."
Political opponents immediately accused the premier of picking a fight with Ottawa to cloud the province's performance on health care, education and other issues.
"They have raised the red herring of national unity," said New Democrat Leader Raj Pannu.
In the speech, Hole said Albertans want to be full partners in Confederation, "but true partnership is only possible when all parties are respected and valued for what they bring to the table.
"Alberta's ability to be a partner in Canada is compromised by the current federal government, which often does not listen to the people of this province."
Klein said the intent was to inform Ottawa of Alberta's commitment to the country, but the province would rigorously fight for its voice on national issues.
"Yes, I think it's a warning," said Klein. "I don't know what we're going to do other than continue to press the federal government to listen to our concerns, to pay attention to Albertans, to understand what a tremendous asset this province is to Confederation.
"It goes without saying -- and don't slay the messenger -- there are a few people out there who unfortunately are talking separation.
"I want to quell that. I don't like that kind of talk, but the federal government needs to be aware there is that kind of talk out there.
"So all I'm saying to the feds is, 'Listen to us, don't give us the cold shoulder.' "
Klein pointed to the national gun registry, the Kyoto accord and Senate reform as areas where Albertans were largely ignored.
Alberta Liberal Leader Ken Nicol said the province has fallen short in so many areas it has taken on Ottawa to cover it up.
"They're picking a fight with the feds and bringing up this issue of separation, just to divert the attention away from children, health, education and infrastructure," he said.
In the speech, the government promises significant new spending to build schools, hospitals and other facilities. No dollar figure was attached, but Klein earlier this month said it will amount to more than $3 billion over three years.
New legislation will be introduced in a bid to increase competition in the electricity market and bring down costs to consumers.
In health, the government will strike committees to come up with optimum wait times for people seeking services such as hip replacements and consultations with specialists.
"That's because even with one-third of all government spending going to health care, too many people are still waiting too long in emergency and for diagnostics, surgery, long-term care and other services," said Hole.
"It will set limits on how long Albertans would wait for selected services like consultations with specialists and some major surgical procedures."
The province will also move on establishing clinics staffed around the clock by doctors and nurses.
School boards were given $20 million to spend on textbooks and other resources -- a sum far short of expectations of some boards looking for millions of dollars to cover the costs of last year's 14 per cent arbitrated settlement with teachers.
Edmonton public school district has a $13.5-million deficit it says is caused by the wage settlement.
The province will also increase benefits to low-income seniors, and will introduce fiscal reform that will allow the private sector to build public facilities, and will create a stabilization fund to smooth year-to-year program spending.
The major new initiative outlined in the throne speech will create the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping kids.
Taken in tandem with the government's flagship bill, the Premier's Council on Alberta's Promise Act, the province "will enshrine in law this government's commitment to children and youth," said Hole.
The council will be made up of more than 60 corporate players and other stakeholders, and will concentrate on identifying necessary programs for kids, and lead fundraising efforts to increase their viability.
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