Alberta Election May 2015

jacee · May 6, 2015

Does Rachel Notley beat about the bush then?

Oh dear. I misrepresented myself. Lol

Rachel Notley ROCKS! Of course.

Just analyzing:

Jim Prentice is an oil/finance guy, and a straight shooter, but he took a shot at the people ... and he shot himself in the foot.

Who turned against him in such huge numbers?

Was it the oil kings?

I don't think so.

I think it was the workers.

They looked in the mirror and they knew it wasn't their fault.

It's the bosses.

And now the bosses only have 12 seats, and the workers, farmers, small business people, etc etc ... have the rest.

Perhaps.

jacee · May 6, 2015

The NDP WILL raise taxes to give money to the poor. My money to the poor who do nothing to help themselves. Disgusting.

I started with nothing. Worked hard in university to get a good education. Worked even harder out of school. Now I make quite good money and the government wants more of my money to give to the poor who do nothing to help themselves. The poor deserve nothing if they don't try to better themselves.

Disgusting. It's the main reason I'm taking my wealth out of Canada. Even if it means I need to sneak it out because the NDP makes it illegal to move money around.

Don't let the door hit you...

.

LemonPureLeaf · May 6, 2015

Don't let the door hit you...

.

Ha. I won't. I'll leave this slum to the immigrants and welfare people. See how you guys pay for everything without people like me paying for it.

See you think you're somehow offending me with your juvenile reply but you're not.

Canada has filled it's purpose for me. With its lax taxes and easy shelters, ive done well here but that is ending with the constant socialist governments who will close our tax loop holes.

Im going to retire within 5 years while I'm under 50, move to Central America and retire.

I'll still post here. Even just post pictures to prove that I've actually left Canada.

Life is better when you have the money to enjoy itm

Black Dog · May 6, 2015

Ha. I won't. I'll leave this slum to the immigrants and welfare people.

Im going to retire within 5 years while I'm under 50, move to Central America and retire.

I'll still post here. Even just post pictures to prove that I've actually left Canada.

Life is better when you have the money to enjoy itm

Better hope the people of whatever third world country you are going to take your ball to have more enlightened attitudes towards immigrants than you. :lol:

Topaz · May 6, 2015

I wasn't surprised of the NDP win. I still think that voters will give the NDP, federally, a chance too, minority or majority. So the Tories can keep pounding down Justin and the NDP will come right up the middle. The Tories have too many scams and schemes and Canadians don't approve of parties that disrespect Parliament and the Tories under Harper have done that and there are 1000 other reasons to vote out the Tories and one would be to see Harper leave politics.

LemonPureLeaf · May 6, 2015

Better hope the people of whatever third world country you are going to take your ball to have more enlightened attitudes towards immigrants than you.

Many places welcome foreign born people. I'm a non white person so my skin tone will fit in down there. Even if I was white I'd be fine. I'll be the immigrant.

However the average wage in many places is only about $600 per month so it's quite affordable and easy to live very comfortably. Also quite popular among Canadian ex pats.

I just don't see the NDP helping people like me who save for their own future. They want to take my money and give it to people who chose not to plan for retirement.

Michael Hardner · May 6, 2015

Worked hard in university to get a good education.

So now that you personally have benefited from socialist policies - ie. state funded education - you're out ? I figured you were a self-made entrepreneur by the way you swagger around here. As for your moralizing, I can only shrug... often times the system's winners are never satisfied that things are "fair". Good luck in your pan-American future !

Michael Hardner · May 6, 2015

The NDP has a dictatorship in AB.

Good point though.

So we should expect her to get rid of FPTP in her first term then right everyone ?

Argus · May 6, 2015

I love the rabid right wingers on this site predicting economic disaster for Alberta..... while ignoring that the PCs have given away the resources for nothing.

NDP should bring some balance to the severely skewed policies, if they win.

This seems to be a recurring left wing theme, but it's not actually true. Basically, the NDP are doing what the Liberals -- I mean, PROGRESSIVE conservatives have been doing for the past twenty years. "Don't worry, be happy! You CAN have your cake and eat it too! Someone ELSE will pay for it!"

Argus · May 6, 2015

I really feel bad for Alberta. They have no idea what a huge mistake they've just made.

No, they knew exactly what they were voting for, a party which promised them no tax increases and no spending cuts, no big labour disruptions, and no problems. That was basically what the PCs promised for decades and now the NDP are doing the same. They're telling people they'll just make the corporations pay more. See how easy that was!

The main theme Canadian voters want from politicians, is that they'll get more and more goodies and have to pay less for them. Promise them that and you'll get in every time -- until it gradually sinks in your province is on the edge of bankruptcy. Then you get someone like Mike Harris coming along to clean up the mess.

Edited May 6, 2015 by Argus

Argus · May 6, 2015

Unfortunately, the NDP have formed government in an economy that has been run into the ground by the PCs...

A decade+ of huge oil revenues and a deficit to show for it.

No, you're mistaking the economy for the provincial budget. The only thing wrong with the economy is a temporary fall in oil prices. That will reverse itself and the economy will be fine. Unless the NDP start driving the oil industry bonkers with hefty new royalty fee demands and expensive environmental rules.

The problem with the budget was the PCs refusal make people pay for the services they consume. They kept raiding the kitty so people could have top notch services with the lowest taxes around. So far, what I've seen of the NDP doesn't suggest a change in that tactic, other than to try and get corporations to pay more.

Argus · May 6, 2015

Jim Prentice is a good man who tells it like it is.

Albertans didn't like that.

Oh well.

.

No, Jim Prentice delivered another of those PC budgets that pushed all the hard decisions down the road. He made some tinkering, but seemed to be content to wait for the oil drop to reverse itself.

Argus · May 6, 2015

Will Notley be the first competent female leader in Canadian political history? I have my doubts.

Rue · May 6, 2015

Lol it happened.Not only did the NDP get elected in Alta but I agree at the same time with the comments of Jacee and Argus on this.

My kidneys can not handle the harmony.

I think the federal conservatives are very concerned. This is their bedrock province.Will that provincial election support slide over to federal support from th momentum? Who the hell knows.

Black Dog · May 6, 2015

The problem with the budget was the PCs refusal make people pay for the services they consume. They kept raiding the kitty so people could have top notch services with the lowest taxes around. So far, what I've seen of the NDP doesn't suggest a change in that tactic, other than to try and get corporations to pay more.

And of course the second someone tries to make people pay for the stuff they want, your ilk goes apeshit. Lose-lose.

Argus · May 6, 2015

And of course the second someone tries to make people pay for the stuff they want, your ilk goes apeshit. Lose-lose.

I'm a fiscal conservative. I believe we should always pay for the services we want. I also believe those services should be delivered in an efficient and effective manner without overly lavish salaries for those administering them.

The_Squid · May 6, 2015

No, you're mistaking the economy for the provincial budget. The only thing wrong with the economy is a temporary fall in oil prices. That will reverse itself and the economy will be fine. Unless the NDP start driving the oil industry bonkers with hefty new royalty fee demands and expensive environmental rules.

The problem with the budget was the PCs refusal make people pay for the services they consume. They kept raiding the kitty so people could have top notch services with the lowest taxes around. So far, what I've seen of the NDP doesn't suggest a change in that tactic, other than to try and get corporations to pay more.

True enough.... Good point.

Not just consumers though... Oil revenues to the Province should have put Alberta in a much better position, but the opportunity was wasted.

Bryan · May 6, 2015

No, they knew exactly what they were voting for, a party which promised them no tax increases and no spending cuts

Their website very clearly spelled out that substantial tax increases are the primary plan.

But oh, look, they've pulled the whole platform from their website:

http://www.albertandp.ca/platform

Isn't that convenient.

guyser · May 6, 2015

I'm glad none of my assets are in Alberta. I'm going to retire sooner than I thought and leave Canada. Liquidate my assets and leave. The bolshiviks have taken Canada. It's over. The socialists have won. In the fall Mulcair will be PM and further destroy the country. I'm glad I'm well off and can leave this hole.

Maybe Peru or Belize. Not sure yet. We liked both places in our travels.

Wow, that is so telling .

I thought we had a crying smilie here.....

guyser · May 6, 2015

Statement : Disgusting. It's the main reason I'm taking my wealth out of Canada. Even if it means I need to sneak it out because the NDP makes it illegal to move money around

She heard your question.

Here is her Answer:

Edited May 6, 2015 by Guyser2

overthere · May 6, 2015

And now the bosses only have 12 seats, and the workers, farmers, small business people, etc etc ... have the rest.
Perhaps.

mmmmmm. no.

If you read the biographies of the successful NDP candidates you won't find many of those.

Most seem to be students still in school, teachers or former teachers, social workers and civil servants of all kinds. And of course plenty of union leaders.

Notley appears to have an immediate and horrific task on her desk today- choosing a cabinet from people with no background in politics, business or managing people. I'm thinking former NDP leader Brian Mason for Finance Minister. He used to be a city bus driver and collected fares, made change, sold tickets etc.

Notley is going to have to rely very heavily on the civil service to carry her government. That will be expensive.

overthere · May 6, 2015

Oil revenues to the Province should have put Alberta in a much better position, but the opportunity was wasted.

It put Alberta in a position to spend more per capita than anybody else in health, and near the top in education.

It put Alberta in a position to finance their own massive infrastructure spending post 2008 recession, when they knew that the feds were not going to give the province anything while splashing cash elsewhere.

It put the province in a position of nearly no debt.

It put the residents of the province in the position of cranking around $10 billion per year every year into the coffers of other provinces via equalization. And they'll continue to do that even if the province is suffering an economic downturn now.

It will be interesting to see how Notley proposes to spend even more on health care and education and civil service salaries, increase program spending across the board, while at the same time taxing corporations into going elsewhere with their capital and jobs. All while balancing the budget during a recession!

I guess the answer is easy: tax, spend and borrow borrow borrow.

Big Guy · May 6, 2015

Interesting election results. What a wonderful country when a government can be almost wiped out without a rebellion or people spilling into the streets demanding change!!

I wish the NDP luck. They, and Alberta, will need it. This will mean that nobody with any experience in governing is now in control. Candidates who had run expecting to lose and only hoping to build their resumes are now in power. Governing is a complicated process and there is going to be a steep learning curve.

In most democracies, it is the bureaucrats who actually run the country. When one government has been in place for a long time the next government (especially if it is of the opposite vision) has difficulty in either bringing in their own people or getting those veterans to get into line.

Democracy - what a wonderful process!

Edited May 6, 2015 by Big Guy

overthere · May 6, 2015

In most democracies, it is the bureaucrats who actually run the country. When one government has been in place for a long time the next government (especially if it is of the opposite vision) has difficulty in either bringing in their own people or getting those veterans to get into line.

That won't be a problem for Notley. The AB civil service is already numerous and the best paid in Canada. Both their numbers and pay can only spike even higher under Notley. On the other hand, I don't their competence at their jobs..