WATCH ABOVE: When it comes to election spending in Alberta, the sky is the limit. Tom Vernon reports.
EDMONTON — Power to the people, politicians’ severance and health care are on the agenda today for the leaders of Alberta’s four main political parties.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean starts his day in Edmonton talking about severances given to Progressive Conservative politicians. He then heads to Red Deer, Airdrie and Calgary.
Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Prentice will give a speech in Red Deer, then will make campaign stops in Drumheller, Brooks and Medicine Hat.
Liberal Leader David Swann and Edmonton candidate Laurie Blakeman will be in Edmonton to announce how their party would empower communities.
NDP Leader Rachel Notley is talking health care in Edmonton.
Notley also talked about health care on Tuesday, promising to improve long-term care if the New Democrats win the provincial election on May 5.
She said the NDP would add 2,000 long-term care spaces over four years to reduce the wait list and relieve pressure on overcrowded hospitals.
Prentice criticized a directive issued by his government about volunteering for political campaigns.
He said it was “ridiculous and offensive” that government staff have been ordered to inform their supervisor if they want to work on political campaigns in their free time.
Prentice said in a Facebook posting that government employees have the right to volunteer on their off time, and he encourages them to do so.
A report by the CBC quoted an Alberta Public Service Commission spokesperson as saying the directive was to protect staff from accusations of inappropriate conduct.
Jean said the directive reflects a government mindset that has effectively merged public service with partisan politics.
Jean also said Prentice himself has shown disrespect to the democratic process by recently ordering an independent legislature committee to reverse a decision on funding for the auditor general.
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