Danielle Smith’s agenda coming to light
By Lethbridge Herald on July 29, 2023.
AT THE LEGISLATURE
Shannon Phillips – NDP MLA for Lethbridge East
The summer is already flying by! From community events in Lethbridge to the Calgary Stampede, there’s been lots of activities to keep us busy.
During my time at the Stampede, I was able to attend a wide range of events, from the Canadian Jewish Federation to the City of Edmonton’s reception. All throughout, I met with plenty of interesting and engaged people who are committed to strengthening our province.
Stampede is a time for Alberta to attract investment and invite the world to Calgary. Clean energy companies, the Canada Pension Plan, the non-profit and arts sector and oil and gas companies were just some of the folks I was once again able to connect with at Stampede. It was also great to see so many new MLAs join the festivities — especially at the Equal Voice YYC reception, which is an organization that celebrates and helps encourage women in politics. I am proud to be part of a caucus that has majority women, and it was great to be able to celebrate that alongside my colleagues.
The Official Opposition has also announced our respective critic files. After spending the last four years as the Finance Critic in the Alberta Legislature, my reappointment to the role will allow me to speak to some of the big issues facing Albertans.
Rachel Notley has asked me to focus my efforts on insurance and pensions: two items that were top of mind for a lot of voters in the last election.
And after the ineffective insurance rate freeze of early 2023 and threats to Alberta’s membership in the Canadian Pension Plan along the campaign trail, voters had every right to be concerned.
Danielle Smith’s hidden agenda, mere weeks after the provincial election, is finally coming to light. Her mandate letter to Finance Minister Horner on July 13, 2023, spells disaster for Albertans’ retirement savings, as it appears the government may proceed with removing Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan.
It is increasingly clear that Danielle Smith has no intention of keeping her campaign promises: she lied to Albertans about this issue during the election and is now putting it back on the table with no mandate from the public.
Her plan will cost hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars while simultaneously jeopardizing every Canadian’s retirement.
The mandate letter also fails to provide specific direction for the Minister to lower skyrocketing auto insurance premiums. Despite the announcement of a fake freeze in January 2023, rising insurance rates have continued to be a financial burden for many families.
I have no confidence in this minister to make meaningful changes to this trajectory without increasing costs or compromising coverage for Albertan drivers.
If you have any questions or concerns about these topics — or to share how it’s impacting you directly—please feel free to reach out to our office.
With all this warm weather, Lethbridge is also gearing up for more community events! You can go check out the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association’s celebration or Fort Whoop Up for Heritage Day in August, or there’s always the wonderful Lethbridge Farmers’ Market every Wednesday and Saturday! Check it all out at http://www.visitlethbridge.ca.
Plus, with Whoop Up Days just around the corner from August 22-26, be sure to check out the Siksikaitsitapi Pow Wow from Aug. 23-24 or make your way down to the Pro Rodeo from Aug. 24-26. You can find out more at http://www.whoopupdays.ca.
As always, you can reach our office by calling 403-329-4644 or by emailing lethbridge.west@assembly.ab.ca. We are open by appointment and can provide some forms of notarizing and commissioning services for no fee. Please call in advance!
18-17
LOL. LOL. Phillips ranting again. The UVP won, remember?
UVP? 🙂
Anyway, our property and vehicle insurance rates have significantly increased since the Kenny UCP removed the cap on insurance rates in 2019, and, no, we do not wish for the UCP to get their fingers on our pension money. We knew these issues would be raised again after the election. So good on the Official Opposition to pursue these issues…it’s their job and we would expect it.
And, to add, the privatization of lab services by the UCP? The now failed lab services? And the now brewing issue is that the UCP may use public funds to buy back DynaLife? Remember the penalties paid when the UCP cancelled the public lab service project initiated by the NDP? Such fiscal conservatism eh?! A real groaner.
UCP…. fat finger syndrome.
Hilarious! 🙂
This is just a continuation of the usual fearmongering from Shannon Phillips. It would be wise to remember that even if the UCP wished to proceed with a withdrawal from the Canada pension plan, it would require a provincial referendum in favor of the plan. According to recent polls, a solid majority of Albertans are in favor of the CPP, thus the issue would end at that point. So, would it not make sense for opposition parties to concentrate their efforts on important issues of much greater concern, and quit with the constant fear mongering.
Focus on the real issues of economy, jobs, medicine….issues shared nation wide and largely placed at he feet of the coalition NDP/Lib mob out east would be more sensible. However, we are dealing with a bitter bunch of losers whose whine exceeds that of a 747 engine under load and who are bent only on criticism, not constructive engagement.
The mouth of the west is performing up to expectations, all hot air, no substance. One can only hope if Notley is sent packing the mouth makes a run for the leadership. That would be worth a bushel of coffin nails in burying the NDP in Alberta.
Just Obnoxious spews nothing but hate and name calling to further the divide.
So childish!
It worries/bothers us as to whether Ms. Phillips, who has, in her instant filing of her statement of claim in her Court case against Lethbridge Police “et el”, dislosed that she suffers symptoms of “post traumatic stress” . Do these symptoms of this serious disorder make her clinically fit for her role as our elected Member of Legislative Assembly, or should she, with all due respect for her disclosed medical condition, take respite from her position in order to foster treatment and hopefully, recovery from this serious clinical diagnosis?
We hope you’re able to deal with your issues, Harold.
Just Obnoxious spews nothing but hate and name calling to further the divide.
So childish!
A tad hypocritical eh lumpy as you admonish Montreal’s alleged dementia.
Buck there is no point in using big words with Lumpy. The little troll emerges from under the bridge for a taste of sunlight in his otherise dark world, and then scurries back under cover…his tantrums are amusing for their predicability more than for their lack of substance.
Agree Just O.
I think this might represent a real change of heart for HaroldP, from cold-hearted defender of moral codes to someone who cares about the well-being of others, even his enemies, who have suffered trauma. Too bad for Harold’s crocodile tears and claims that SP may not be “clinically fit” for her job, symptoms of PTSD are most often mild and do not interfere with responsible actions. Perhaps HP might have shown genuine concern for another person and asked before making this snarky, ableist post.
Think it was just a question, however in this worldly cesspool of communication someone will always defend those be asked the question of. Shannon can answer that question herself. Is she fit to continue to represent West Lethbridge. Time for her to defend herself and not blame others
Grinandbearit, “symptoms of PTSD are most often mild and do not interfere with responsible actions”…… The PTSD symptoms of Ms. Phillips must have some signifigant, episodic affect, otherwise why would they be stated on her immediate claim in her court suit.
Grinandbearit, perhaps the signifigance of her stated medical condition is better determined by a phychatric physician, rather than your “armchair analysis”.