Justin Trudeau's Liberals were given a minority government in Monday's federal election. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

By Sheldon Spackman

Election Reaction

City councillors weigh in on federal election results

Oct 22, 2019 | 4:47 PM

Members of Red Deer city council are weighing in with their reaction to Monday’s federal election result of a Liberal minority government.

Mayor Tara Veer says the sentiment she’s heard throughout the community is that of concern for national unity, but also hope that the national agenda will pay close attention to Alberta’s need to get energy to market.

“I think the overriding concern really looking at the electoral landscape last night is not only the regional divisions in the country, but the different points of view and some of the approaches with respect to Alberta’s energy industry,” says Veer.

“I think now more than ever, it’s absolutely imperative that Albertans share the message about our energy industry to the rest of the country. It’s very clear that if we’re going to move past regional division and to be united as a country, that absolutely every province and region needs to feel represented nationally.”

City Councillor Vesna Higham says Justin Trudeau appears to be tone deaf to a deep and growing feeling of alienation in the west.

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“Bills C-48 and C-69 speak loudly his intentions with respect to Alberta and the West,” she says. “The fact that his minority government has now to rely on NDP or Bloc support in the House means no social license for Alberta’s “dirty oil” going forward – notwithstanding we have the cleanest, most ethically produced, environmentally sensitive, human/employee rights protected oil and gas industry in the world.”

Higham says a clear message needs to be sent to the federal Liberals that Alberta and the west will no longer submit to second-class citizen status.

“We cannot continue to generate net billions in transfer payments, while provinces like Quebec (and Ontario between 2009 and 2018) continue to reap the benefits of collecting net billions: $11.7 and $13.1 billion respectively transferred to Quebec in 2018 & 2019 fiscal years – and this in a time of fiscal surplus for Quebec to the tune of 2.5 to 3 billion dollars.”

Councillor Dianne Wyntjes says it will now be interesting to see how the Conservatives, Bloc, NDP, Greens and Independent Jody Wilson-Raybould work together for Canadians, recognizing the uniqueness and different interests of each province and region.

“There is a lot of frustration and feelings of alienation in our province, recognizing Alberta’s pipelines interests and advancing the Trans Mountain pipeline and the Alberta economy,” says Wyntjes. “Today we see continued layoffs in the oil and gas industry from Husky Energy and it’s not easy for many Albertan individuals and their families. There’s also the necessary federal conversation about equalization payment formulas, which I’m sure Premier Kenny will be leading along with Saskatchewan’s leadership.”

Councillor Frank Wong says it was sad for him to watch the election results come in and reveal a country that’s divided.

“However, with the minority government being Liberal, it may be the better of the worst situation,” he thinks. “If the Conservatives had the minority then we possibly could go to the polls in the spring. I was disappointed that Alberta shut out the Liberals, as Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources, was doing a good job representing Albertans.

“We should all accept the election results and think of how we can move forward. I am happy to see both Earl (Dreeshen) and Blaine (Calkins) re-elected to represent our city of Red Deer.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Lawrence Lee says, “This election for me highlights the need to address Canada as a whole, and not so much as regional pockets. Better understanding of what we are all experiencing as Canadians needs to resonate in all parts of this great nation. The fact that we will be in a minority government also signals the need for clear and understandable policy platforms.”

“In a minority parliament,” continues Lee. “Parties and governments are more likely to seek opportunities to build bridges that deliver concrete results. Of course, that’s what local leaders do best.”

What’s clear according to Lee,” Is that step by step, we continue to push every party toward empowering municipal leaders. And in a minority parliament, that cross-party support for our ideas will be key.”

Councillor Buck Buchanan admits the Country is divided, but he’s taking a wait-and-see approach to see if the Liberal leadership has the ability to bring the Country together.

“Personally, I am a little skeptical,” Buchanan admits. “I think various parts of the country don’t appreciate other parts of the country’s challenges.”