Schreiner: No clear answers with UCP budget cut plans

There’s no fine print when it comes to Alberta’s NDP government. We’re transparent, accountable and we’re on your side.

Meanwhile, Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes and the UCP won’t come clean on their plans to cut 20 per cent out of the budget and give massive tax breaks to the richest one per cent.  

Our government has protected Albertans from dodgy deals by banning door-to-door energy sales; we put an end to 600 per cent predatory interest rates on payday loans; and we introduced a builder licensing framework to protect consumers as well as the reputation of good builders.

Every step of the way, Premier Rachel Notley and Alberta’s NDP government is investing in Albertans by building and modernizing schools, protecting vital health care services and ensuring this economic recovery is built to last.

So I find it a bit rich when UCP MLA Barnes talks about bad deals in his May 23 submission to rdnewsNOW, but he’s not talking about their plans to hand out tax breaks for the rich, privatize health care and cut education funding.

residential mill rate to hold steady

Penhold town council approves final tax rate increases

2h ago

tips to prevent fires

Sylvan Lake urges extra caution as dry conditions push fire risk higher

2h ago

Guest speaker Chad Reyes

Premier Danielle Smith addresses Red Deerians at Christian Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

7h ago

That means everyday working families will pay more for the services that they rely on while those at the very top, the richest Albertans and wealthiest corporations, all get a $700 million tax giveaway.

And the UCP’s plan for healthcare would bring back the days of queue-jumping for wealthy conservative friends and insiders and sky-high fees for everyday families.

When the worldwide price of oil dropped in 2014 and the recession hit Alberta our government was faced with a choice. Make the extreme cuts, like Jason Kenney and the UCP want, or have the backs of Alberta families and continue to support needed programs and services while investing in infrastructure for our province.

We chose Albertans and, as expected, the results are good.

Our economy grew by 4.5% last year, leading the country, and will be among the leaders again in 2018 and 2019.

Budget 2018 firmly puts us on the path to balance the books in 2023 while putting more Albertans back to work in a more diversified economy with the potential to be leaders in growing sector, such as agri-food and high tech.

Our government’s plan is working – we have reduced the deficit by $1.5 billion without having to fire thousands of teachers and nurses. Jobs are up, with 90,000 new full-time jobs added last year – mostly in the private sector. GDP is up. Retail sales are up.

We’re also returning to balance by reaching practical agreements with labour unions to control costs; we’re tightly managing discretionary spending across government in areas such as travel, conferences and hospitality; and we’re cutting salaries and eliminating bonuses for some of the highest paid executives of Alberta’s agencies, boards and commission.

Things are looking up in Alberta and Premier Rachel Notley and our NDP government is working hard to bring that recovery to all Albertans.

Kim Schreiner
MLA, Red Deer – North

NOTE: The views expressed in this column do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.