To Alison Redford, premier of Alberta:
This letter is to let you know of my profound displeasure at hearing that cuts are coming forward from your government. Your tenure so far has been a great disappointment to me as I expected better from a woman premier, especially after the Klein and Stelmach years.
It is my opinion the PC government over the decades has catered to the oil people way too much since Premier Lougheed left office.
1. We should have revenues far greater than what are currently coming our way. If a modest amount of royalty revenue had been raised every year during a robust economy, we would not be in this predicament. Of all the nations getting oil revenues, we have the lowest royalties, taxes or whatever the name of the revenue is. Had the PC government since Lougheed followed Norway's principles, we indeed would be a very rich province.
2. The oil companies operating in the oilsands should be paying the cost of infrastructure such as twinning roads and repairs to all roads used, because of the oil ventures in the north, as well as any additions of any kind that are needed by the communities such as Fort McMurray brought on by the growth of the oil business.
It is because of the enormous profits in the oil business that the growth is happening. They are making fantastic profits, regardless of their "cry poor" years. Why are the taxpayers of Alberta paying for this infrastructure? The oil and pipeline companies also should be paying the complete shot for the cost of the pipelines going south and west.
The PC government should have raised revenues during the upbeat economy and there would now be no need for service cuts. Threats to leave the oil patch are scare tactics only.
The above are only two of the reasons that cuts coming to Albertans is a disgrace. I am sure there are many other solutions to the "money problems." A slight tax increase seems the better solution. What good are the lowest taxes in the country, when needed services will be slashed?
You did say during the election there would be no tax increases, but you did not say there would be cuts in services. Either way you have let down the citizens of Alberta.
Josephine Aristone
Lethbridge