Post 2012 election Premiership Alison Redford

1 post 2012 election premiership

1.1 fiscal policy
1.2 education , labour

1.2.1 bill 45
1.2.2 bill 46


1.3 energy

post 2012 election premiership
fiscal policy

one of redford s first actions premier abolish pay committee work members of legislative assembly. issue of committee pay had been contentious during 2012 election, , news of so-called no-meet committee in mlas paid handsomely little or no actual work had prompted wide public outrage. election issue had been gold-plated pensions , redford rejected advice of panel of experts reinstate handsome pensions mlas, suggestion hike own salary in excess of $300,000, instead vowing not take pension @ all. in wake of public spending scandals involving minister tourism , senior executives alberta health services, redford instituted new transparency measures , accountability in form of public disclosure of expense spending. in 2013, after public discussion following dismissal of chief of staff , refusal discuss severance, redford announced creation of sunshine list - public disclosure of salaries , severances public sector workers in highest levels of alberta s public sector.

despite number of these low-level fiscal policy initiatives, redford s big picture actions have been viewed less favourably.

alison redford s real claim fame in history books of alberta premier returned alberta debt. premier alison redford — , finance minister doug horner — took alberta ralph klein s paid in full, $8.3 billion in debt of today. unless successor radically changes course, alberta have debt of $21 billion fiscal 2016–17. , while did it, tore alberta s best financial transparency legislation, repealing fiscal responsibility act , government accountability act.

a year later, redford s own analysis revealed in globe , mail interview:

after long stretch of soul-searching, reluctant identify specific mistakes made, did point range of other factors contributing difficulties, gender back-stabbing in own caucus.

education , labour

promises made postsecondary education during campaign, however, not kept, angered several unions had supported leadership campaign. in spring 2013, under redford s leadership progressive conservatives tabled first alberta budget since reelection. government failed honour 2012 provincial election promises continue increase post-secondary education @ rate of 2%. instead budget cut 7.2%. on october 9, 2013, following 900 academic staff , faculty job losses across province, thomas lukazuk, minister responsible advanced education, announced $142.5 million had come available construct new engineering building @ university of calgary. figure controversial amount, close $147 million needed reverse cuts 8 months before. decision @ odds government s written assurances university administrators on july 3, 2013 advocate reverse budget cuts if additional dollars became available: guys, re not happy, m not happy budget. reality ... moment have dollars can access, ll first on on knees before treasury board advocating dollars. in meantime, financial houses in order, said. redford s government did not honour promise while held office.

redford s relationship largest public sector union, alberta union of provincial employees rocky. in 2012, redford appeared @ union s annual convention.

bill 45

however, in 2013, government tabled bill 45 increased fines illegal strikes. protests against bill 45 came aupe united nurses of alberta, health sciences association of alberta , canadian union of provincial employees-alberta, representing 85,000 albertans. bill 45 imposes severe economic sanctions on provincial workers strike. workers forbidden striking deemed essential services. on march 20, 2015 reported bill 45 being repealed. premier jim prentice, redford s successor, announced don t agree content of legislation , move forward , define essential service legislation respectful of our employees respectful of taxpayers. aupe felt 1 of odious remnants of redford era gone.

bill 46

the government passed bill 46: public service salary restraint act unilaterally stripped union of right arbitration, right granted premier peter lougheed. aupe launched legal challenge against bill 46, , 2 months later court of queen s bench justice denny thomas granted indefinite injunction, saying legislation irreparably harm labour relations, guts collective bargaining process , emasculates aupe. redford continued defend legislation , reiterated government s intent appeal judge s order. in words of 1 observer, redford government felt necessary come down hard on them in order snuff out hope of wage increases might add provincial budget deficit. following redford s resignation, aupe , hancock government reached tentative agreement calling immediate $1800 lump sum salaried employees (prorated wage earners) , pay increase of 6.75% spread on 4 years. compensation deal proposed redford government had been 2% on 4 years , $875 lump sum in 2014/15. government dropped appeal against injunction after deal aupe reached.

energy

redford s relationship british columbia premier christy clark described rocky. main area of contention trans-provincial pipeline. controversy , delays in approving keystone xl pipeline focused attention on moving bitumen alberta west coast. clark had demanded share of royalties in exchange granting access build enbridge northern gateway pipelines, prompting frosty response redford in october 2012. in november 2013, framework deal worked out between 2 leaders, redford s position on royalties remaining unchanged. 1 analyst remarked public scuffle british columbia’s premier, christy clark, on northern gateway pipeline, first indication of unproductive handling of energy issues redford s government. there instability of appointments in energy portfolios (including removal of ken hughes energy minister , resignation of kennedy-glans associate minister electricity , renewable resources).