The Cochrane Eagle caught up with Banff-Cochrane MLA Cameron Westhead this week and received an update on various local issues he is expecting to tackle during his first stint in office.
Eagle: Talking local infrastructure: the intersection at Hwy 22 and 1A continues to weigh heavily on the minds of Cochrane commuters and residents. Cochrane Coun. Jeff Toews addressed the needed push for support from our local MLA to get this infrastructure project back on the province’s three-year books in his column last week. What is your plan to address this contentious issue?
Westhead: Our government will introduce an infrastructure sunshine list this fall so all Albertans know what the province’s priorities are. I personally spoke to the minister about the situation of Hwy 1A/22 over a month ago to ensure the concerns of Cochrane were heard.
The prioritization of projects will be based on objective criteria and doesn’t depend on how much influence an MLA has with the minister or cabinet. We are taking the politics out of funding announcements so that they are in the best interest of all Albertans.
Indeed, this sunshine list will guard against politicians announcing projects in their ridings purely for political gain. Instead, we want to make sure infrastructure projects are awarded in sequence, according to their merits and objective criteria.
There are a considerable amount of high priority infrastructure needs across Alberta right now due to years of neglect. Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Brian Mason will be working on assessing priorities, and financial expert David Dodge will be providing our government with advice on our upcoming capital plan and the province’s capacity for infrastructure given the tight economy.
Eagle: Talking debt: Alberta’s debt climbed more than $3B in 2014-15, reaching $11.9B this year; this boosted annual debt servicing from $590M-$714M. According to a July Moody’s Investor Services report, the provincial debt burden could double from 30 per cent of revenues to 60 per cent if heavy infrastructure investment continues. What can you tell readers about the infrastructure investment versus climbing debt ratio?
Westhead: When the former PC government declared that we were “debt-free” they greatly misrepresented the truth. In fact, their cuts created a massive infrastructure gap that Albertans are still dealing with today. Our government is committed to investing in much needed public infrastructure that will benefit all Albertan families.
There are many reasons why Alberta must continue to build capital, not the least of which is to address the infrastructure needs of the many people and families who have moved to the province. Investment in infrastructure is crucial to future economic growth and is foundational to the success of Alberta’s families and communities.
As this government develops a plan to build the schools, hospitals and roads Albertans need, it’s critical that we examine all the factors that will impact what we need to do – population growth, the state of the economy, capacity in the construction industry and financing options.
We’ve hired Dodge, former governor of the Bank of Canada, to provide advice to guide the development of a new plan to meet Alberta’s infrastructure needs. Dodge will advise our government on numerous factors including the appropriate mix of capital investment to support delivering services to Albertans while supporting long-term growth through better infrastructure; and approaches to financing the capital plan in the current economic environment.
Dodge’s report is expected at the end of summer. The recommendations will inform the development of Alberta’s capital plan, which will be released with the new budget this fall. We will move forward with keeping our promise to invest in the projects that make life better for Alberta families.
Eagle: Talking flood mitigation: taking another look at Springbank versus McLean Creek. Last month’s news that Premier Rachel Notley would not be scrapping the controversial Springbank dam reservoir project and that for now, designing and engineering plans would be moving forward, has resulted in malcontent from members of the Don’t Dam Springbank movement. What can you tell me about the NDP’s decision to not scrap the project presently for the McLean Creek option?
Westhead: The minister and the premier are currently reviewing all plans and will be making their decisions shortly. We know how important it is that we take action quickly on this file and that we work together with all stakeholders to come to the best possible decision.
It’s important that we make the best possible decision for Albertans rather than the quickest and most politically expedient decision. Minister of the Environment Shannon Phillips has committed to ensuring that Southern Alberta will have a world-class flood mitigation system, and that is something that we will follow through on.
Eagle: Talking education: the recent announcement to boost spending on education translates to a budget increase for Rocky View Schools (up from $224M this past school year to $236M for the coming year). Why is this a key investment right now for the NDP and how do you feel this increase will address education needs in the Banff-Cochrane riding?
Westhead: Our government has been clear that protecting and supporting our education system is a key investment in our families and our future. This interim funding will ensure Albertans that the education system can operate normally until a full budget can be delivered in the fall. Albertans elected this government on the assurance that we would work to give students a strong start.
Securing a bright future for our children helps to ensure a bright future for our province. An important step in providing a positive learning environment for our students is proper funding. Bill 3 ensures that the 12,000 new students starting school in Alberta, especially those here in Banff-Cochrane, will have the tools they need to get the best education possible. This money will also ensure our students, whether they are in kindergarten or entering their senior year of high school, will have the stable support they deserve for the upcoming school year.
This funding will cover all regular operations. It includes funding for school capital projects, the teachers’ agreement and the commitment made in May to reverse grant cuts and fully fund enrolment.
There’s no question that, had this funding not been made available, classroom sizes would have increased, students in need of more support would have been left behind and parents would have had to find the money to pay increased fees. I’m glad to be part of a government that is making things better for Alberta’s students and families.
Eagle: Talking minimum wage: the first of several increases to Alberta’s minimum wage is slated for Oct. 1 (up $1/hour, to $11.20 hour and $10.70 for liquor servers) as the NDP works toward the full implementation of a minimum wage of $15/hour by 2018. The reviews from small to mid-sized businesses are mixed, with many concerned about how they will survive the cost without putting the increase back to the consumer by raising prices or even closing up shop. Towns such as Bragg Creek, Canmore and Cochrane are well known for their niche stores as tourist attractants. How do you feel these smaller/niche businesses may be impacted by the coming changes?
Westhead: Our government promised to implement a fair minimum wage of $15 per hour by 2018 and that’s what we’re going to do. Minimum wage in Alberta has fallen behind the earnings of Albertans in general. The Parkland Institute found that Alberta has the highest average weekly earnings at $29.24 per hour, yet the lowest general minimum wage of $10.20 and one of the highest levels of wage inequality in Canada. We must start bridging that gap.
Alberta families are better off when all our families are better off. A higher minimum wage will make life better for all Albertans. Minimum wage earners are not just young Albertans earning pocket money. There are tens of thousands of Albertans earning too little to provide for their basic needs.
Our skilled, educated, ambitious workers and business owners made Alberta a great place to start a business and create jobs, not the lowest minimum wage in Canada. A fairer, sensibly-implemented minimum wage won’t change that.
We certainly are interested in the concerns coming from the business community. As we developed our plan to increase minimum wage, we were mindful of the effects it could have on workers and business owners. We held consultation sessions so we could hear first-hand about their concerns.
We will continue to assess impacts of a higher minimum wage as they relate to youth employment and overall business competitiveness. Debate is healthy. We look forward to future consultations so we can understand the big picture of what effects – positive and negative – minimum wage increases have in Alberta.
There are a wide variety of factors that can lead to job losses and other negative outcomes. It’s also important to keep in mind that many employers choose to pay their workers well above the minimum wage. Some employers will see their wage costs rise as we implement a phased-in set of modest increases over four years. But there’s a bigger story here. Higher wages will also improve employee satisfaction levels, which generally results in less turnover, lower hiring and training costs and greater productivity.
Our government will continue listening and will continue to meet with our valued stakeholders and partners over the next three years to determine the best way to meet the goal of $15 per hour by 2018.
