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!