Higgins releases campaign platform

CALGARY – One week after firing her campaign manager, Barb Higgins has released her full campaign platform.

For weeks the candidate has faced criticism over a lack of a campaign platform, as many wondered where she stood on a number of important issues.

“I said from the beginning the seven priorities and then I said I would release more details throughout the campaign,” says Higgins. “I have been doing that at forums and now this all comes together in the document.”

Highlights of the document include Barb’s stance on the airport tunnel, which she says she is in favour of. Higgins says the City needs to restart negotiations with the Federal government and Province, and if unsuccessful, look at a P3 funding model.

Higgins also says she would uphold the decision to protect fire and police personnel, however, all other parts of the budget would be reviewed a month earlier than planned. Higgins also wishes to develop a more comprehensive snow removal budget. And while she won’t nail down a tax increase figure like other candidates, she wants the budget shortfall addressed first.

Political analyst Duane Bratt wonders if the release of the document is coming a little too late.

“What if she had done this a month ago, would that have made a differnce, or has the damage already been done?”

Bratt is also critical of Higgin’s plan of using many outside committees and panels to help make decisions, stating that she’s suggesting alderman are incapable of doing the job alone.

Meantime, other candidates are also revealing more about their platforms.

Craig Burrows released his plan to balance the budget, stating he would cut the tax increase from 6.7 per cent to 3.2 per cent.

Bob Hawkesworth spent Friday morning playing in the snow critical of Ric McIver’s snow removal plan. McIver wants city vehicles to be equipped with plows and allow citizens to clear their own streets.