EDMONTON – Alberta’s premier spoke to New Democratic Party members Saturday afternoon about “the party’s historic year and upcoming plans for 2016.”
Rachel Notley met with provincial NDP council at MacEwan University in Edmonton. The leader was greeted by supporters with chants of “Rachel! Rachel!” and was clearly emotional as she stepped up to the podium.
Notley thanked party members and supporters for all the work they’ve already done and all the work she will continue to ask of them. She spoke about reversing “many years of bad decisions” of the previous governments and working on priorities like education, health, climate change, building jobs and diversification.
“This is the party and the team that demonstrate that winning the election was worth it,” she said.
She said, despite pressure from opposition, the NDP government will not make the same mistakes as the past and will not make drastic cuts during tough economic times.
“Those opposition parties believe that by firing nurses and teachers the price of oil will go back up,” Notley said. “They believe that the answer to hard economic times is to create even harder economic times.”
WATCH: Members of Alberta’s NDP are meeting this weekend to set out their plans for next year. Premier Rachel Notley addressed a packed house of party faithful today. Michel Boyer was there.
The government was criticized for delaying its provincial budget and running a $6.1-billion deficit. Alberta’s NDP government promised to continue building schools and hospitals and hiring more teachers and nurses, but the devastating impact of low oil prices means it’s planning to borrow money just to keep the lights on.
Much of the spending is being underwritten by record debt, which is pegged to reach $36.6 billion by 2018 — nearly 15 years after former premier Ralph Klein announced the province had fully paid off what it owed. And starting next year, the province plans to borrow money to pay not just for capital projects as it has in the past, but for day-to-day programs as well.
READ MORE: Alberta government keeps spending, runs $6.1B deficit
Notley said the new climate policy once again makes Alberta a leader. She said the way previous governments handled environmental issues made the province “increasingly vilified.” Now, she said Alberta will phase out coal, invest in green technologies and business and focus on creating jobs.
Then, the premier spoke about bills she’s proud of: Bill 5 (Public Sector Compensation Transparency Act), Bill 7 (Alberta Human Rights Amendment Act) and Bill 204 Residential Tenancies (Safer Spaces for Victims of Domestic Violence) Amendment Act).
“And then there was Bill 6.”
READ MORE: Farm safety bill spurs death threats against Alberta premier
The NDP government faced heavy criticism recently for the contentious farm safety bill. It sparked protests, packed town halls, even death threats towards NDP politicians.
Farmers protested the bill and said they should have been consulted before the legislation was introduced.
“It’s very condescending to us.”
READ MORE: Amendments to Bill 6 exclude farm owners and their families from new rules
“Bill 6 taught our government some very valuable lessons,” Notley explained Saturday. She said farmers and ranchers were concerned the bill would impact their way of life, how they would be able to teach children farm duties or have neighbours or friends volunteer on the farm.
Notley said the bill was never intended to include those aspects, so the NDP introduced amendments to clarify the scope of the bill.
“I have to take responsibility as premier that we didn’t – from the outset – make the limitations of this bill very, very clear.” She added the government will admit when they’ve made a mistake but will also commit to protecting every worker injured on the job “because it’s the right thing to do.”
She said Alberta will no longer be the only province that doesn’t deliver basic safety rights to paid farm workers.
Opponents say the bill moves too far too fast and that more discussion is needed. Notley said her cabinet will meet next week to decide how it will roll out consultation sessions to draft the specific regulations of the bill.
READ MORE: Provincial government limits debate on Bill 6
The premier touched on topics still to be addressed in the new year including the royalty review issue, health care access, more on the climate change plan, and a new Throne Speech.
“We must be the strong, open and engaged party that all progressive Albertans can rely on,” she said.
“We are making a difference. Alberta is leading again and you are making it happen.”
With files from The Canadian Press
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