UCP's Referendum: More Pretend Consultation Than Genuine Democracy
Premier Danielle Smith's phrase “a sovereign Alberta in a united Canada” is not clarity; it is political fog. Alberta is not sovereign. It is a province with constitutional powers inside Canada. The wording lets separatists hear quasi-independence while moderates hear federalism.
This pattern is familiar. The UCP rescinded the coal policy first and consulted only after public backlash. Alberta Next seemed less like asking whether Albertans wanted an Alberta pension plan, provincial police force or tax agency, and more like asking how to package ideas already preferred. Now, a referendum committee news release announced an outcome before the committee had even voted.
That is not robust democracy. It is consultation as theatre. Democracy is not just petitions, slogans like “Strong and Free,” or one electoral mandate. It includes fair process, courts, treaty rights, minority voices, and honest consultation. Winning government does not mean owning democracy.
Gerard Bolduc, Sherwood Park
Fire Trucks Over Cycling Projects
In the Edmonton Journal on May 16, there was an article entitled “Burning Through Money.” It stressed the need for 37 new fire trucks for Edmonton at a cost of between two to three million dollars each. Mayor Andrew Knack states that “these are must-haves.”
As but one example, was the new velodrome at Coronation Park a must-have or was it, maybe, just a luxury for a select few? The approximately $150 million spent on it could have purchased 50 new $3-million fire trucks. The $100 million allocated for new bicycle lanes could pay for the building of new fire halls to house them.
Yes, city council is “burning through money,” but not for priorities.
G.S. Bartosh, Edmonton
Make Edmonton the City of Bridges
The city’s intention to replace the High Level and Low Level Bridges offers us a rare opportunity to support the completion of two more world-class, iconic bridges, a process we began when we voted to build the most expensive of three options originally proposed to replace the old 105 Street bridge.
We all take pride in the graceful, white arches of the 105 Street bridge. If we’re resolved, courageous and creative, we can triple that pride, maybe becoming known as the City of Bridges.
Alex Macdonald, Edmonton
An Easier Way to Move Oil West
Our next bitumen “pipeline” to tidewater is already built: the CN Rail line from Edmonton to the Port of Prince Rupert. All that’s missing is federal removal of Trudeau’s discriminatory North Pacific ban (of Canadian-only tanker traffic) and the immediate, low-cost construction of off-loading infrastructure — from rail tank cars to ships.
Back in 2012, the cost of that off-loading facility was estimated to be only about $100 million, a sum which could be easily borne by the rail transport and port operations partners. (And negligible — for a virtually instant export capability). Additionally, the existing rail-to-Rupert route to tidewater is scaleable — to 2.6 million barrels per day. And with zero years of endless hearings.
So, if Prime Minister Mark Carney truly subscribes to his “energy superpower” rhetoric, then he shall immediately open this forgotten northern route to the energy-hungry Asia-Pacific region. It’s time for actions that match his fine words.
