A slumping provincial economy hit hard by the low price of oil prompted discussion among federal election candidates in the Banff-Airdrie riding following the June 29 release of the Liberal Party’s environment and economy plan.
In separate interviews last week, three candidates outlined their positions while also attacking the other political parties.
Banff-Airdrie Liberal Party candidate Marlo Raynolds said there were “huge opportunities” available by diversifying the Alberta energy sector.
“We will always see the important role of oil as an energy resource. Our biggest challenge is making sure (we) have access to growing markets abroad,” he said. “Over the last decade, we really failed to achieve that, in large part because nationally we have not taken environmental issues seriously. That has hurt our international reputation.”
MP Blake Richards, who will run again for the Conservative Party, said energy remained a focus of the party.
“You know, I look at this Liberal platform and it’s the typical Liberal approach – it’s this smoke and mirrors thing,” he said. “You have some of these Liberals talk about finding a balance between the environment and the economy, but that’s just talk for them.
“We’ve been very strong and very focused on the economy, and the results speak for themselves.”
Banff-Airdrie Green Party candidate Mike MacDonald said taking a responsible approach to the environment was essential.
“I find it ludicrous that we’ve been dithering on the environment for far too long, and primarily in the name of economy and energy,” he said. “The reality is the environment we live in makes all this possible. We have to find a balanced approach. We recognize that we enjoy a certain standard of living, but if we do it at the expense of the environment, what have we really gained?”
Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau recently outlined the party’s energy policy in Vancouver, including a proposed carbon tax. Raynolds said the Conservative Party’s policy on environmental issues was a mindset that was “30 to 40 years old.”
“It’s been economy before environment. We have to realize that we are only truly successful and truly prosperous if we (have both). We simply have to win on both,” he said. “Federally, we’ve seen under the current government no action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (and) a real degradation of the relationship with First Nations – those things have cost our economy in Alberta.”
Richards said there was a “lack of recognition” regarding the balance of environment and economy.
“The oil industry employs a lot of people here. It’s absolutely critical that we develop our natural resources in the most responsible way – but we can’t do things that would damage the industry and cost a lot of people their jobs,” he said. “When the Liberals were in government for so many years, they talked about reducing greenhouse gases but never did anything about it.”
MacDonald said the federal government would have to “choose wisely” when it comes to managing energy projects in the riding.
“(We need) to make sure we’re protecting the environment, diversifying our economy,” he said. “Energy is the key thing in our lives, we all use it, we all need it – but how can we be efficient in our use of energy and how can we diversify?”
The federal election is scheduled for Oct. 19.
