Jobs and the economy were top of mind for voters at an April 3 all-candidates forum in Barrhead.
The two-hour affair at the Agrena’s Charles Godberson Rotary Club Room featured four of the five candidates running for MLA in the newly formed Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock constituency — only Independent candidate Brad Giroux was unable to attend.
The forum, which was sponsored by the Barrhead and District Chamber of Commerce as well as the Barrhead Public Library and the Barrhead Leader, began with chamber president Megan Perry saying although the event might feel like a debate, it wasn’t.
“No one will be declared a winner at the end. Having the ability to engage the candidates and ask them questions is a key component of our democratic process,” she said.
Perry started the discussion asking the candidates why they decided to run and why they would make a good MLA, as well as the Top 3 issues the next government will face following the April 16 election.
Therese Taschuk, representing the NDP, said her experience in municipal government as two-term Town of Smoky Lake councillor, an employee in the education system, and an activist in the union movement would help her deal with the issues facing the riding.
“I want to be part of a government that cares about people by creating jobs through a diverse economy, while providing quality health care, education and providing services for seniors,” she said.
Alberta Independence Party’s (AIP) Buster Malcolm, an oil field worker for more than 30 years, said he decided to get into politics because he feels the mainstream political parties no longer serve the people.
“They (parties) have their own agenda that has nothing to do with what the people want. We have uncontrolled spending and the deficits keep climbing with no end in sight and have endless money to spend on unvetted immigration, but not our own people,” he said.
“Forty billion dollars every year leaves this province and never returns. Through Alberta’s independence, that money will remain here and we can make some drastic changes.”
He added under an AIP government, $25 billion would be returned to residents while $15 billion would go towards paying down the debt.
United Conservative Party candidate Glenn van Dijken said the reason why he entered provincial politics four years ago as a member of the Wildrose Party was to ensure future generations have the same opportunities he had.
“My and the UCP’s three top concerns are jobs, pipelines, and the economy, in that order. If we can encourage investors to come back to Alberta and let them know they are safe, taxes and regulations will be kept in check, then they will come back,” he said, adding they’re committed to repealing the carbon tax and reducing red tape.
Alberta Party candidate Wayne Rufiange said what prompted him to get into the race was difficulties navigating the education and health systems in an effort to get help for his students after a spike in attempted suicides.
“I thought I could make a difference at the school level as a principal, but if I want a higher level of influence I need to do something different,” said Rufiange, who’s the principal of R.F. Staples School.
“I have been politicking in the schools a long time. I work with a lot of stakeholders, parents, the community and of course the students.”
He added job creation is his party’s top priority.
“We need to get people back to work and make Alberta a place where people want to invest in again because of its stable economy and with our increasing population we need to keep our best in class health care and education,” he said.
Economy in focus
First, candidates were asked a prepared question from the Leader on how they plan to tackle job losses and unemployment — Statistics Canada notes the province lost 15,500 jobs in January.
Malcolm said the AIP’s plan to create jobs was to push for independence. By doing so, he reiterated that Alberta would have an additional $40 billion.
“We will put $25 billion back into the economy to help the people immediately, the other $15B will be put into a surplus which will be used to start paying down our debt,” he said.
“We would also drop the business tax to 8.5 per cent, which would be the lowest rate in North America which will help bring people back from the United States who left because of the high tax rate.”
van Dijken said reigniting the economy and creating employment is the UCP’s main focus.
If elected the UCP plan to reduce the corporate tax from 12 per cent to eight per cent over the course of four years.
“This will give us the most competitive corporate tax rate in the country and will help us compete against the lower tax rates that have been introduced in the U.S. We also plan to reduce the amount of red tape that business and industry has to face,” he said, adding they would do that in part by reducing red tape.
Rufiange said the Alberta Party would take a different approach; instead of making changes to business and corporate taxes rates they would double the allowable tax deduction from $500,000 to $1 million and adjust the capital-cost allowance to 100 per cent on all new investment.
“That immediate return on investment will get the economy going and create jobs,” he said.
Taschuk said the NDP formed government during tough economic times, but over the course of four years, they have been able to create jobs.
She added since the recession Alberta has created 80,000 jobs, mostly in the private sector.
“But there is more work to be done. Rachel Notley has a plan to create 70,000 jobs by investing in diversification and refining (oil and gas) in Alberta,” Taschuk said. “The Business Development Bank of Canada reports small business confidence is up. Manufacturing sales are at a two-year high, increasing by 14 per cent in recent years.”
She added the government introduced a five-year, $35-billion capital plan, that helped build schools and infrastructure and the province is starting to see the benefits.
