Alberta's NDP government appoints out of province staff

[WWWTT]

The fall in prices is temporary and a lot of it has already been reversed. A few years down the line prices will be back up where they were before.

And the Alberta NDP will get a huge pat on the back when the prices rebound, then get reelected.

Problem solved!

WWWTT

[overthere]

North America set out to achieve oil energy independence. It was in a whole bunch of Obama speeches.

"Energy Independence for America".

The moment the Saudi's stopped pumping at a slow rate, that goal was achieved.

Today's outcome is a victory for North America energy independence policy.

Difficult to understand I know.

Ah, no.

That was actually George Bush -in the good old days- who spoke of North American energy security. That included a strong role for Canada as a reliable and trusted supplier.

Energy Independence for America is indeed an Obama initiative, and you will note does not include much at all about Canada. Increasingly they don't need or want our energy products. America is rapidly moving from being our only customer to being a competitor who is eating our lunch every day.

A sensible nation would diversify and build the infrastructure to get our products to other markets. Developing nations do it, Australia does it, America does it, Russia does it..... but we are not up to the task. We cannot get moving on Energy East, Northern Gateway or Kinder-Morgan- all projects entirely within our control. . In the meantime, we blubber and moan about being blocked by Obama on Keystone XL. Pathetic really.

^^^ I think we can now add the entire Canadian LNG industry to that list of failures to act in our own interests..

Edited June 13, 2015 by overthere

[kimmy]

Are those the only alternatives? There's no one else in Alberta that might be able to run an office? That might be able to provide sensitive political advice to a minister? You only need a dozen people, after all. There aren't a dozen people in Alberta who could do this?

I don't know what kind of resume one requires to become a premier's chief of staff. Perhaps there are non-Tories in Alberta who could have done the job. Perhaps people from civic politics. I really don't know. But they've got this veteran guy who they've already worked with, so why gamble on bringing in somebody who doesn't know the job? People were already leery of the NDP's lack of experience at government; yet you're arguing that they should have brought in an inexperienced Albertan rather than go outside the province for an experienced staffer.

Some people seem to be acting as if Notley has just appointed Topp premier. He's not premier. She is. He's not the one who's going to be making policy decisions. I hope people aren't to question Notley's Albertan credentials?

You seriously think it's only those useless, stupid old farm people who would have a problem with the energy minister of a province whose entire economy is based on energy, knowing nothing about energy, and having, as her chief of staff, a man from Toronto whose major preoccupation over the past some years has been destroying Alberta's energy industry? You don't think maybe even some of the young cool, smart, modern, fabulous people who work in the energy sector might have a few qualms about that?

Keep in mind, Argus, that most of my extended family are those rural conservatives. I understand the raw nerve that language like "colonial administrators" strikes, in a way that I don't think someone from Ontario can truly appreciate. My family lost members to illnesses that would have been easily treated if they'd lived in Ontario instead of a province where medical facilities were second rate at the time. They remember when Alberta was the poorest province, and went bankrupt when the feds pulled their grants out from underneath the provincial government. When dad was in college, eastern-run businesses led by eastern-raised businessmen were asking the government why it was wasting tax-money funding universities in Alberta, when they could just hire college graduates from Ontario. This is stuff that people whose families haven't been in Alberta as long as mine might not be able to relate to, or even know about, and most Albertans, especially in the cities, fall into that category. For families whose roots in the province go back to the days when it was a mostly rural, mostly agricultural province, that history is still remembered.

Just growing up in Alberta in years following the creation and demise of the NEP I absorbed some of that hostility myself, almost like second-hand smoke. And like a lot of other Albertans, I got mad when pricks like Jean Chretien and Paul Martin used Alberta as a punching-bag to try to win votes elsewhere.

But I think that the intense bitterness, the button Levant is trying to press, that's faded over the years. "The West Wants In" is no longer a relevant slogan; the west IS in. As much as Levant might hope otherwise, anti-Eastern resentment is no longer a significant political factor in Alberta. People are past it.

-k

[On Guard for Thee]

Then explain why Russia, the worlds #1 producer is pumping like crazy?

Better yet, try to prove that it wasn't Russia that was the first to deflate the price of oil.

WWWTT

Why would Russia try to deflate the price of oil when its the only game they really have. I like better the theory that the Saudis and the US ganged up to gut Putin.

[Hal 9000]

For political reasons, remember. This is part of the Suuni Shiite thing. Cutting the price of oil hurts Iran, while the gulf countries, with much lower populations, can afford to bear it for some time to come. But of course this could all change at any time. And suddenly the price shoots back up.

...sorry already mentioned

Edited June 13, 2015 by Hal 9000

[overthere]

'Alberta separatist' is an oxymoron and always has been.

The Notley govt appointed so many out of province staff because there is simply not enough experienced homegrown talent to fill key jobs. Keep in mind these are not government jobs aka public service positions. They are paid political appointments who will ride herd on the public service within each ministry and keep the message/policy on a defined ideological path.

It is entirely predictable.

What will be more interesting in coming months will be how many deputy and assistant deputy ministers are dumped in coming months. How far will the politicization of the public service go.

And of course the monster fiscal questions. Alberta teachers, nurses and public service are already the highest paid in the province. How will Notley meet their expectations for more of everything- in an environment of declining revenues? Her only options are to tax more and borrow more- actions that are not historically popular in AB.

Taxing the corporations much more to raise revenue won't increase net revenue, just create a flight of capital- a flight that may happen in any case. The notion that oil companies stick around because the oil is in Alberta,no matter what, is just plain silly. There is oil available everywhere in the world now, both conventional and otherwise, and the money will go where it gets the best return, not where 'Albertans get a better deal'. Citizens aren't the only ones looking for a better deal.

[GostHacked]

There no declining oil market. Global demand goes up every year. That's why alarmists want to artificially price it higher.

Like those tyrannical Arabs.

[Shady]

Like those tyrannical Arabs.

Precisely. Except that alarmists want to price it out of existence.

[GostHacked]

Precisely. Except that alarmists want to price it out of existence.

Like those pesky Saudis. If Iran was the cause of the rise of oil prices... wonder what would happen then!

[Argus]

Then explain why Russia, the worlds #1 producer is pumping like crazy?

Better yet, try to prove that it wasn't Russia that was the first to deflate the price of oil.

WWWTT

There is some speculation, in fact, that Russia is a secondary target, that the US persuaded the Saudis to cut prices to hit both Iran and Russia. It has had a very powerful effect on the economies of both those countries.

[Argus]

Why would Russia try to deflate the price of oil when its the only game they really have. I like better the theory that the Saudis and the US ganged up to gut Putin.

The Russians are no part of this. The Russians, like the Iranians have a large population and their corrupt government only survives on oil.

The gulf countries, all Suuni Muslims, are behind this.

[Argus]

IBut I think that the intense bitterness, the button Levant is trying to press, that's faded over the years. "The West Wants In" is no longer a relevant slogan; the west IS in. As much as Levant might hope otherwise, anti-Eastern resentment is no longer a significant political factor in Alberta. People are past it.

I'm sure a lot of people are. On the other hand, you don't have to be an old timer to worry when the health of the province's most important industry is already shaky, and the new government appoints a minister with, according to the story, no known history of having any interest in or knowledge of the energy industry, and her chief of staff is a commuter from Toronto who despises that industry and has worked diligently to destroy it. As energy goes, so goes Alberta, and thanks to those morons in Toronto, Alberta is one of the only remaining economic engines in this country still going well - or was.

[Hal 9000]

My only hope is that the NDP get radical enough in Alberta that the rest of the country opens their eyes before the federal election. And...It seems that maybe they're doing just that.

Sorry Alberta, you've chosen to jump on the grenade.

[On Guard for Thee]

The Russians are no part of this. The Russians, like the Iranians have a large population and their corrupt government only survives on oil.

The gulf countries, all Suuni Muslims, are behind this.

Well of course Russia would have no part it in, they are the the screwees, not the screwers.

[Shady]

Like those pesky Saudis. If Iran was the cause of the rise of oil prices... wonder what would happen then!

They are. They're part of OPEC. Thankfully North America has pursued it's own oil and gas production that's lessened OPEC's influence on prices. Even Saudi Arabia has refused to cut production during the drop in oil prices.

[WWWTT]

Why would Russia try to deflate the price of oil when its the only game they really have. I like better the theory that the Saudis and the US ganged up to gut Putin.

No actually Russia is the most natural resource rich country due to the fact they are the largest country in the world.

But Saudi's only trick is oil.

How about you apply your logic to Saudi Arabia?

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

There is some speculation, in fact, that Russia is a secondary target, that the US persuaded the Saudis to cut prices to hit both Iran and Russia. It has had a very powerful effect on the economies of both those countries.

So the largest producer of oil in the world, Russia is pumping like crazy to secondary target themselves?????

Illogical therefore false!

WWWTT

[On Guard for Thee]

No actually Russia is the most natural resource rich country due to the fact they are the largest country in the world.

But Saudi's only trick is oil.

How about you apply your logic to Saudi Arabia?

WWWTT

You missed the point it seems. Their economy is in the dumper and the US and the Saudis are making sure it stays there, at least for now.

[WWWTT]

You missed the point it seems.

The initial point being made is false.

You want to believe the crap?

Be my guest!

WWWTT

[overthere]

They are. They're part of OPEC. Thankfully North America has pursued it's own oil and gas production that's lessened OPEC's influence on prices. Even Saudi Arabia has refused to cut production during the drop in oil prices.

"refused"?

They have maintained/increased production as a strategy, not a reaction..

OPEC control of the oil cartel is threatened by the new sources of unconventional oil, the US in particular. The Saudis have the resources to keep pumping at low prices, their production costs are low. The Saudis/OPEC still have massive influence on price, as we have seen in the last year . American shale exploration and production have lessened as a direct result of their action.

[On Guard for Thee]

The initial point being made is false.

You want to believe the crap?

Be my guest!

WWWTT

OPEC is only a trojan horse. Been used more than once to control oil price.

[WWWTT]

"refused"?

They have maintained/increased production as a strategy, not a reaction..

OPEC control of the oil cartel is threatened by the new sources of unconventional oil, the US in particular. The Saudis have the resources to keep pumping at low prices, their production costs are low. The Saudis/OPEC still have massive influence on price, as we have seen in the last year . American shale exploration and production have lessened as a direct result of their action.

I would add Canada and China to that mix of new oil sources as well.

This link sheds some light

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Chinas-Oil-Discoveries-1.08-Billion-Tons.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/26/us-china-oil-discovery-idUSKBN0OB0YK20150526

http://www.upstreamonline.com/incoming/1397370/china-discoveries-riding-high

http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/04/news/economy/china-oil-supertanker-opec/index.html

Other countries aggressively hunting for oil and having success are Angola, India and Australia among probably over another half dozen countries!

One of the clear winners in this race to the bottom is Russia's ally China!

China has as well propped up the Russian economy in the recent past and will more an likely do so again in the near future if Russia's continued effort at hyper pumping continues!

WWWTT

[ironstone]

Despite the rampant paranoia and hysteria amongst the fear-mongering right, the NDP are the best fiscal managers this country has. They're the party with the best chance of steering Alberta through a declining oil market and it's great news that they're bringing in experienced people who've made it happen before.

Can you give us the examples of the NDP being "the best fiscal managers this country has"?

Was Bob Rae one of those examples?

Based on what I have seen so far,it does not look good for Alberta and the rest of Canada.Brent Michael Dancy is the latest hire for the NDP.

http://www.therebel.media/firedancey

[BubberMiley]

Can you give us the examples of the NDP being "the best fiscal managers this country has"?

Was Bob Rae one of those examples?

Nope. As Thomas Mulcair said, "The federal department of finance’s own reports show that NDP governments are the best at balancing the books when in office...There was one exception — but he turned out to be a Liberal.”

[ironstone]

Nope. As Thomas Mulcair said, "The federal department of finance’s own reports show that NDP governments are the best at balancing the books when in office...There was one exception — but he turned out to be a Liberal.”

I wonder which of those NDP governments had the benefit of hefty transfer payments to their coffers?