Barbara Kohn’s recent letter to the editor shows just how far Alberta’s socialists are out of touch with economic reality. Alberta cannot, must not, continue the current spending spree that will do nothing but drive the deficit from 10.3 to more than $70 billion by 2020!
The oil price collapse notwithstanding, the Notley government’s policies of increased taxes, a refusal to reduce or at least freeze public service hiring and wage increases, the increase in the minimum wage (that did nothing but force many businesses to lay employees off), and the absolutely unnecessary introduction of an ineffective carbon tax, have cost Alberta thousands of jobs, hundreds of business closures and caused major international corporations to pull up stakes and leave the province taking any future capital investment with them.
Royal Dutch Shell and Conoco Phillips are the latest to leave and according to Canada’s business news sources, it is anticipated that many more will leave. Smaller Canadian oil companies and organizations who service them are considering moving all or parts of their operations to business-friendly Saskatchewan, it would seem the only free enterprise, entrepreneurial province left in Canada.
If Albertans let this insane government tax and spend behaviour go on, the only employer left in the province will be the public service (that already employs more than half the workers in Canada, if we include doctors, teachers and unions)!
Before she wrote her letter, I wonder just how much thought, if any, Ms Kohn gave to her grandchildren or great grandchildren who will be saddled with the terrible debt load that a witless Notley government has foisted on Albertans.
Indeed, when she presented the budget, Notley disingenuously told Albertans that the budget would be prudent and manageable. Just how stupid does the Premier think we are?
Lloyd Leugner
