WATCH ABOVE: The premier made two more announcements in Calgary on Tuesday. As Tom Vernon explains, he’s being accused of campaigning before the writ drops.
EDMONTON — The premier said Alberta’s economic downturn will not affect his government’s plan to build hundreds of needed schools, but critics say the “re-announcement” is the government “playing politics.”
At a news conference Tuesday morning, Jim Prentice outlined how the province will spend $5 billion to build or upgrade 230 schools over the next five years. He said the need for the schools is pressing because of the growing number of students.
The government also said $2 billion towards Phase 3 schools would ensure construction on those projects is completed.
READ MORE: New website helps Albertans track progress of new schools
However, opposition parties said the PCs are “playing politics” with the education system.
“This has to stop,” said Liberal Leader David Swann, “but I suspect these sorts of announcements on the taxpayer time and dime will continue until the writ is dropped.
“Albertans deserve trusted leadership, not political gamesmanship.”
The party said the “PC government’s pre-election school funding announcements are not a guarantee new schools will be built on time.”
“Having schools completed with their doors open by next year is what Albertans were promised, and this is clearly not going to be the case,” said leader David Swann.
The Liberals said the government promised in 2012 to build 50 new schools and modernize 70 more by 2016 and that Prentice added 56 more new schools and 21 more modernizations by 2018.
The Wildrose Party echoed those concerns, saying the Prentice government is “re-announcing a backlog of new school promises that his government has already missed the deadline on.”
It called Tuesday’s announcement “yet another campaign-style re-announcement.”
“The government can make all the re-announcements it wants, it doesn’t change the fact we still have no shovels in the ground on virtually any of these new school projects. Just empty fields and signs,” said Wildrose Leader Brian Jean.
“It’s unacceptable that like his predecessor Mr. Prentice is playing politics with new schools for our kids.
“After years of broken promises, this government’s credibility is lost when it comes to new school construction.”
READ MORE: Government boosts taxes but still runs record deficit
The ministry of infrastructure says 32 school projects from Phase 1 (announced in 2011) and one school project from Phase 2 (announced in 2013) have opened to students.
Prentice said that while it is not the best of times in Alberta due to low oil prices, families and communities should be reassured that these schools will be built.
“Schools are more than just a place of learning,” said Education Minister Gordon Dirks, “they bind a community together as it continues to grow. Today, we celebrate the importance of quality education in our community and the role that it plays in preparing our children to be thoughtful, responsible and productive members of society.”
With files from The Canadian Press
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