ziggy ziggy:
You think that shite just spurts out of the ground after Jed misses a squrrel like in the beverly hillbilly shows?
It takes hard working people from all over Canada to make that happen.
Ralph really has nothing to do with it,his party's policies towards the oil patch do though.
I'm with you on the second point. In the last 30 years, we've seen a HUGE influx of Canadians from outside this province, and not all of them have/are gone to the oilpatch.
Personally, I think the Alberta PC's should fund an employment train. This train would tour Canada from East to West on a regular basis, picking-up anyone who wants to come work in Alberta. As it is, the oil patch will soon be bringing-in overseas workers for labourer positions. Sad experience: twice in the last week I've done the drive through at McD's and the person at the window was mentally-retarded (developmentally-challenged for those who hate honest terminology). Now I've got nothing against hiring people with disabilities - whether they are physical or mental - but the fact the less challenged won't even look at a job that pays $8/hr says something about the amount employers need to pay to attract the least qualified. McD's is not the only business I've noticed hiring people they wouldn't usually look at. At lot of business's are hiring anyone or anything that has a pulse.
On the second point, I'd debate (to some degree) whether, and to what extent, Ralph has influenced the direction of the Party. He has always campaigned on a platform of fiscal-conservatism and being pro-business. Yes, program spending has increased, but the increases have been based on surveys sent to the electorate and incorporated based on sustainability. If the people say they want it and we can afford it (today and in the future), then what better reason could a politician have for spending public money?
And it's not just the oil patch that's benefitting from the policies of this provincial government. The tech sector is going great guns and manufacturing is booming too.
I know it's popular to take shots at the guy who's at the top of his game and wait for him to fail. That's why Chretien and Martin point at Alberta privatizing healthcare, while ignoring that some form of private healthcare exists in EVERY province. What they are also failing to point out is that not only does Alberta lead the country in healthcare quality and services provided, it manages to do so at a lower per capita cost than anywhere in North America or Europe. It would be hard to crucify the Alberta politicians (like Klein and Harper) if you had to admit that in their province YOU CAN have your cake and eat it too.
Personally, I hope the rest of Canada keeps electing Liberal Governments in Ottawa. While the rest of you struggle with a failed federalism that coddles minority-interests and whiners, the Alberta Progressive Conservatives will have to keep seeking MADE-IN-ALBERTA solutions that actually work.
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