Premier Smith is muzzling Albertans by ignoring the 2021 time-change referendum results, which indicated that the majority—albeit a small one—did not want to adopt daylight saving time. The premier is instead imposing her will on Albertans because it “makes sense” to go to permanent daylight time. Critics argue it “makes sense” to muzzle Albertans, ignore the science, and disregard adverse outcomes from other districts that tried daylight time and then reverted.
Why Not Try Standard Time Like Saskatchewan?
The premier suggests that Albertans try daylight time for a year and voice their opinion if they don’t like it. This advice is interesting considering that a referendum is our voice. Adding the question to the fall referendum is not feasible because there is no time—oh, the irony. That’s the pesky thing about democracy; it takes time but is worth the effort.
At the very least, let us choose between permanent standard time or permanent daylight time. Disregarding Albertans’ voices on a referendum is undemocratic and leaves us wondering what other referendum results the premier will ignore. Albertan voices matter; if only the premier would take the time to listen.
Carmen Rattai, Edmonton
Smith’s catch phrase is nonsensical. Over and over again, the premier starts her defence of her views with the phrase, “I believe in a sovereign Alberta.” If she were to use the full meaning of the word “sovereign,” she would say, “I believe Alberta should have the supreme, absolute and independent authority of a state to govern itself, its territory, and its population without external control.” It’s completely meaningless to add the phrase “within Canada” after all that.
David Verbicky, Edmonton
Infill Rules Destroying Communities
The matter of infills in mature neighbourhoods has received significant attention in recent weeks. The benefits of increasing density as per the City Plan have been well articulated and are not without a degree of merit. Conversely, the manner by which the plan is unfolding leaves much to be desired. Expressed public concerns include beliefs that peoples’ objections are being ignored by council; large multiplexes are not compatible with single family homes, aesthetically or functionally; traffic and parking congestion and garbage management will be problematic; older homes will be devalued; and the projects will not allow for spontaneous community engagement or children’s play.
The rule changes are effecting cultural shifts that are harmful and even destructive to communities. In implementing the plan, the city has broken faith with the people who bought and maintained homes under a set of rules that defined the physical characteristics and functionality of their property. They played by the rules; the city did not. The people support infills but not obscene and culturally destructive ones as allowed under the plan.
