What do you think of Premier Ed Stelmach's state-of-the-province address?

Answer 1

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The address is consistent with the new cabinet's economic stance, populist and yet bold in the face of likely opposition from oil lobby. However, there is no free lunch in economics. More expenditure by the State implies a greater burden on the common people even if fund transfer help organize better services. Since becoming Premier, Ed Stelmach has championed various initiatives related to increasing the transparency and accountability of government. One of the first bills to be put forward into law included a Lobbyist and Contractor Registry act. Mr. Stelmach also formulated all-party committees to review various new legislation, and required records of government minister expense accounts and flight logs of government aircraft to be made available on-line to the public. The 2007 Alberta Budget, which is the largest in history, allocated $18.2 billion to be spent over the next three years to attempt to catch up on a backlog of infrastructure projects spurred by substantial growth in Alberta. The 2007 Budget also began the phase-in of $1.4 billion of new direct transfers to municipalities. Most recently, the Alberta Progressive Conservative caucus voted to introduce sweeping no-smoking legislation. In his Oct.23 speech on the state of the province, Stelmach unfolded his plans for health care, crime prevention and economic diversification. He said his government would focus on improving health care, saying "that's clearly what Albertans want. "We're taking action to add doctors and nurses to the system to reduce wait times." He acknowledged the need to build more hospitals, schools, housing projects and roads. The premier also promised a new crime reduction strategy, a new plan to better manage Crown lands and diversify key industries such as energy, agriculture, forestry and tourism. "This will involve making choices and even taking some risks. But being timid and doing nothing is a far greater threat to our future," said Stelmach. Equally important, he promised a royalty system that works for Albertans who own the resources and also for companies who invest billions, implying additional billions of transfer of funds from oil/ gas companies for economic/ infrastructure development.

Source(s):

I am from distant India and I depended on
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/…
http://premier.alberta.ca/
http://www.alberta.ca/acn/200710/22380D4…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Stelmach