Writing on the Wall for Calvert's Tired Regime
Headlines across news outlets (CBC, the Leader Post, Globe and Mail) in the province are announcing that the NDP caucus chief of staff has resigned amidst controversy that he provided "incomplete information" to a cabinet minister (Glenn Hegal, who has also admitted to misleading the legislature).
It is interesting that this revelation of corruption in the sanctimonious NDP regime dates back to a time when the NDP couldn't get enough of dragging the Devine PC's through the mud over their own corruption scandal. The NDP has played that scandal up for years, employing fear mongering techniques to paint the Saskatchewan Party as the reincarnation of the corrupt PC Party. Meanwhile, the NDP itself was operating unethically in its own conduct. Indeed, it will be interesting to see what else will be revealed when Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party finally bring down this tired Calvert administration.
Speaking of the Saskatchewan Party winning... The Leader Post reported on the weekend that a recent poll puts the Saskatchewan Party way ahead of Calvert if an election were called now. In fact, the Sask Party is so far ahead that it is doubtful that Calvert could ever catch up. Sure, the NDP are great campaigners and the final vote tally will likely not be that disparate, but the writing is on the wall nonetheless. After all, how convincing will Calvert's fear mongering be about impending "tory corruption" if the Sask Party takes office when the government of which he has been a part for the past number of years has its own skeletons lurking in its closet. First there was SPUDCO, recently there was Carriere, and now there is this Lord-Fodey-Hagel fiasco. Does the NDP have much credibility when it comes to making accusations that political corruption would be imminent under Sask Party rule?
Sorry Calvert, but your chances of re-election look slimmer with each passing week. If I were you, I'd bow out now and let your successor take the fall. However, as an ardent supporter of the Saskatchewan Party I hope that you call an election before that happens so that change can occur sooner rather than later.
It is interesting that this revelation of corruption in the sanctimonious NDP regime dates back to a time when the NDP couldn't get enough of dragging the Devine PC's through the mud over their own corruption scandal. The NDP has played that scandal up for years, employing fear mongering techniques to paint the Saskatchewan Party as the reincarnation of the corrupt PC Party. Meanwhile, the NDP itself was operating unethically in its own conduct. Indeed, it will be interesting to see what else will be revealed when Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party finally bring down this tired Calvert administration.
Speaking of the Saskatchewan Party winning... The Leader Post reported on the weekend that a recent poll puts the Saskatchewan Party way ahead of Calvert if an election were called now. In fact, the Sask Party is so far ahead that it is doubtful that Calvert could ever catch up. Sure, the NDP are great campaigners and the final vote tally will likely not be that disparate, but the writing is on the wall nonetheless. After all, how convincing will Calvert's fear mongering be about impending "tory corruption" if the Sask Party takes office when the government of which he has been a part for the past number of years has its own skeletons lurking in its closet. First there was SPUDCO, recently there was Carriere, and now there is this Lord-Fodey-Hagel fiasco. Does the NDP have much credibility when it comes to making accusations that political corruption would be imminent under Sask Party rule?
Sorry Calvert, but your chances of re-election look slimmer with each passing week. If I were you, I'd bow out now and let your successor take the fall. However, as an ardent supporter of the Saskatchewan Party I hope that you call an election before that happens so that change can occur sooner rather than later.
posted by Saskatory at
9:35 AM
46 Comments:
Sask Party government, I'm moving out of province. I'll be back when the province is being run properly,again.
How much debt will the NDP have to deal with in 4-8 years ?
Will the province become insolvent this time or will the NDP return in time to save it,again ?
Tory times are tough times.
By
Anonymous, at 11:37 AM
Back to Springfield you go Quimby, and take Leisure Suit Lorne with you. The NDP here have had it at long last.
By
Anonymous, at 1:50 PM
Quimby,
It is people with attitudes like yours that are holding our province back. Resistant to change, fearful of leaving your comfort zone, and stuck in a rut of supporting a party with tired ideals.
The province will be better off when residents like you move out (like you say you will) when the Sask Party seizes power.
By
Saskatory, at 2:09 PM
What are these tired ideals ?
What are the new ideals ? Do you mean 19th century economics that lead to the Great Depression or the 19th Century economics that lead to the 80s recession ?
Spending money it a futile effort to keep up with Jones', only to almost go bankrupt. Is that what you mean ?
By
Anonymous, at 3:27 PM
Quimby,
Tired ideals? How about the ideal that the government should have total and utter control of the economy? Or that labour be pandered to so that provincial labour laws cripple any interest that businesses might have in establishing in the province? Or that government should continue to grow and grow?
What exactly in the Saskatchewan Party's policies or platforms makes you think that they will be huge spenders and ruin the economy? Heaven forbid that free enterprise be encouraged in this province. If that were to happen we might see some economic progress and turn in the next Alberta.
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Saskatory, at 4:26 PM
Saskatory I compleatly agree with you. there is no way the NDP can come back this time and win like in 2003. the saskparty policies are almost the same as the NDPs and thats because the NDP has been copying them on almost everyting. Brad Wall is not at all like Elwin Hermanson so Calvert is going to have a very hard time attacking him on things.
saskatory are you a saskparty member?
I am a saskparty member And I am only 16. we need more youthful people to join the party like you.
This message from
Huffb1
(I hate anyting NDP)
www.youtube.com/huffb1
By
Anonymous, at 4:54 PM
You still haven't sated any anything concrete that is tired or new. You just spout vitriolic ideological rants.
What specific pandering ?
What anti-free enterprise policies ?
Why are you so obsessed with keeping up with the Jones' ?
Why do I think the SP will spend ?, because history tells me that parties that spout the free enterprise line and fiscal prudence tend the be the worst at it.
Maybe, it's all the reciprocity owed for years of financing ?
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Anonymous, at 8:31 PM
I don't think specifics are needed when speaking about the NDP being in bed with organized labour. Take a look at our labour laws compared to other provinces and it is clear. However, the first "specific" instance that comes to mind is the hefty wage hike given to striking public employees this spring.
Anti-free enterprise - how about how long it took the NDP to finally reduce the corporate tax rates in the province? Or, again, I could come back to the stringent labour laws. The NDP is a party whose basic premise is based on socialism, which, in essence, is anti-free enterprise.
I'm not obsessed with "keeping up with the Jones'" as much as I am with falling behind and not fulfilling the potential that we have as a province.
Which fiscally conservative political parties were the biggest spenders? I agree that Mulroney's PC's and Devine's PC's were, yes. However, that was also during the time of a recession. What other Canadian fiscally conservative parties were such big spenders? The PC's in Nova Scotia and Alberta have consistently posted balanced budgets in the past decade (not fake surpluses like Calvert). Mike Harris in Ontario might be another successful case of a fiscally conservative government, as would Gordon Campbell's Liberals in BC. Your contention that the Saskatchewan Party forming government would ultimately lead to an increase in spending is without merit.
Huffb1 - yes, I am a member of the Saskatchewan Party. I have been since 2005.
By
Saskatory, at 8:51 PM
What specific labour laws get in the way ?
Are you sure we have the most stringent, maybe do so research ?
Public sector wages have been increasing nationwide, as have private sector wages. That is a red herring.
RB Bennett, WAC Bennett, to name two more big spending Torys. Did Devine and Mulroney have to deal with recessions or caused them ?
You still have no evidence, just opinion. Like all right wing campaigns all you can do is run on perception and change 25 years after fucking it up the last time. It takes a whole generation to forget and then we repeat the cycle. I'm outta this province, Sask Party government. Driving me and many other great minds away.
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Anonymous, at 9:03 PM
I have been a member of the Saskatchewan Party since october 2006. I have always been more to the right. I can't stand most of the people at my school because they tend to think the NDP is so great. I am glad there are people I can relate to on this blog.
this message from
Huffb1
(I hate anyting NDP)
www.youtube.com/huffb1
By
Anonymous, at 9:12 PM
No evidence of what exactly? Evidence that your accusations will ring false?
As I said before, the province is better off with people such as yourself gone. Those who decide to vacate a place because the will of the plurality has spoken? You don't agree with democracy? How committed are you really to this province? Or do you just wish to live in some sort of socialist utopia?
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Saskatory, at 9:12 PM
You guys are incapable of logic and sound research to back up your ideas. That is the problem. You still can't point to anything specific, not one concrete example. Your a joke, try using some analysis.
But that would prove you wrong.
By
Anonymous, at 10:21 PM
Quimby,
What exactly are you talking about? Specific example of what? You are ranting and not making any sense. The quality of your posts has progessively dissipated as you have made less and less sense. As such, you are the one who appears to lack logic and reason and you, de facto, come across as the "joke".
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Saskatory, at 11:25 PM
You are terrible at spin, any monkey could follow this discussion and notice you exhibit nothing but avoidance of smart questions. But since your not any monkey, I will spell it out for you.
What are these tired ideals ?
No answer to this question.
What are the new ideals ?
Same with this one.
What specific pandering ?
Public wage hikes have been common and right wing government are handing them out, it's called wage pressures. Next evidence ?
What anti-free enterprise policies ?
Corporate Taxes are one the lowest in the nation but study after study shows this is not a top 5 concern for investment. Next.
What is the potential for the province and what data did you use to reach this conclusion ?
You never attempted to define this.
What specific labour laws get in the way ?
You never did give any examples here. Give Quebec's labour laws a read.
By
Anonymous, at 11:48 PM
I wonder how much time is remaining on the clock for Clay Serby?
Of course, everyone wishes him good health, but Calvert must realize that he is quickly running out of time.
By
Anonymous, at 4:05 AM
Quimby,
You're relentless. Why are you so angry and offensive? Although I don't have time to play tit for tat with you all day, you obviously have a lot of free time on your hand so I'll respond.
1. Tired Ideal? - Refer to response 5. I'll repeat. "How about the ideal that the government should have total and utter control of the economy? Or that labour be pandered to so that provincial labour laws cripple any interest that businesses might have in establishing in the province? Or that government should continue to grow and grow?" Simply put, that government be the solution to any problem that people have rather than encouraging self-reliance.
New Ideals? More encouragement of and reliance of the free market economy in the province rather than government control. The aggressive exploitation of natural resources (with which this province has been so blessed). Addressing the burgeoning bureaucracy in this province. A plan to deal with rural revitalization (or even recognition that it needs to happen).
Pandering to labour? Please. You sound ridiculous to even insinuate that the NDP isn't in bed with organized labour. It is a given. Again, our labour laws in this province are very stringent and that is due in large part to the fact that we have had a socialist government for most of the past 60 odd years. The wage hike is par for the course? Yes, wages are increases, but that one was dramatic.
Anti free-enterprise? Yes, our corporate tax laws are lower NOW. How long did it take for the Sask NDP to clue into that one? Again, I point to the labour laws in Saskatchewan being stricter than elsewhere (except, you're right, maybe Quebec - look at how great their economy is performing!). I’m not a lawyer, but some of the obvious ways in which our labour laws are bias towards the worker and thus, anti-business: a lack of secret ballot vote versus automatic certification of unions, the disparity between the thresholds required for application for certification (25% of workers) versus application for decertification (50% + 1). For most provinces, the required threshold is equal for application for certification and decertification. The allowance of automatic certification of a union with a representational vote is another. I would also point to the requirement of employers to inform unions of any technological changes that the employer might choose to adopt and furthermore, the allowance for the union to lodge a complaint with the labour relations board if it does not agree with the change. Finally, the requirement for immediate, binding arbitration, which means that members of the provincial labour relations board can exert great influence in the resolutions, rather than less costly mediation routes.
Potential for our province? How about the plethora of natural resources at our disposal? This does not require reseach in order to make such a statement; it is common sense. It is clear that we are not fully exploiting our uranium resources, potash, or oil in the north. It is partly because corporations don't wish to establish themselves in a province that is rule by a government with such an "anti-business" stigma. You want facts though: Saskatchewan has the largest deposits of uranium and potash in the world, second largest deposits of oil and third largest deposits of natural gas in Canada, and the most arable land in Canada. Not to mention the diamonds in the north, forests, and over 1,000,000 lakes. Could we not be exporting hydro-electricity? With the abundance of arable land, we should be further expanding ethanol production, particularly because we have such an established biotechnology base that could be looking at ways to create genetically modified sugar cane or corn that could thrive in our environment and be used for ethanol production. With an abundance of uranium, why haven't we started to produce nuclear energy in the province? The question isn't what potential the province has, it is why we aren't living up to it? Why aren't we leading the country in economic growth and prosperity?
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Saskatory, at 10:12 AM
So, how would the SP differ in their approach to development of resources in Saskatchewan ?
1) Government doesn't control the economy beyond the regular scope of government. Prove otherwise, subjective opinion is just that.
2)Labour Standards/Laws are there to protect workers from arbitrary choices of the employer. They are to ensure that workers have a stable work environment and are not at the whim of their boss. That is the point behind them and unions.What alternatives have the SP proposed ? How would they make them more business friendly or less worker friendly ?
3)Being for proper working conditions isn't anti-business and only the most neo-conservative types would make such a line. There are both laws that favour business and laws that favour workers. It is called balance.
I would really like to see an answer to these questions from yourself and the SP. To date, all I have read/heard is vague statements and ideological rhetoric. I would like to hear concrete plans or programs. Got some ?
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Anonymous, at 1:12 PM
Read the saskparty's policy book Mayor Quimby. it tells you what a saskparty government will do.
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Anonymous, at 1:39 PM
I don't speak for the Saskatchewan Party. I am but a lowly party member.
The Saskatchewan government doesn't control the economy? Well it does come damn close by controlling telephone, energy, power, the bus system! No, the Sask Party doesn't plan to sell off the crowns but I wish that it would! At least they won't expand crown ownership - who knows what the NDP might like to do on this front!
I do understand the purpose of labour laws. I'm saying the the laws in Saskatchewan disproportionately favour the worker over the employer and that dissuades companies from wanting to set up shop in this province when conditions for them are more favourable elsewhere. That is simple. If you can't catch on to that then that is your problem. What does the Sask Party plan to do on this front? I honestly don't know - I'm not involved in their campaign platform development, but I hope something might be announced when it comes time for an election. I do know, however, that the NDP will not be weakening labour laws anytime soon because they are in bed with organized labour and this is one of the bases for support.
I am not saying that I am anti-worker as you suggest, I am pro-balance, which we don't have. That is a subjective opinion, but for you to suggest that we do have balance is just as subjective. That said, reports comparing our labour laws to other provinces have indicated that we have among the most biases labour laws in the country and indeed North America.
Why do you feel you need to probe me for concrete plans, stats, data, etc. I am not running for political office. Last time I checked, a member of the public didn't need a concrete plan in mind in order to criticize one introduced by government. Just because one recognizes that a government's plan is deficient, doesn't mean that he or she must produce a concrete alternative. Indeed, that is the role of those working in public policy and party strategy, neither or which is my job. I, frankly, am tired of providing "evidence" to you as to why I support a change in government in this province. Not because I can't, and contrary to your incessant claims, I believe that I have justified why I state the things I do. If you want the same from the Sask Party, I'd suggest you contact them yourself. I am not their defender, just a supporter.
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Saskatory, at 1:47 PM
I beginning to see that the SP nor their supporters have a clue, what can be done to make it better ?
Or, they are too afraid to publicly state as much.
How many members and MLAs agree with you about selling the crowns ? Most?
How would the Labour regulations be altered, no one can answer this, why ? Are they not suppose to favour the worker ?
If labour laws are suppose to help employers then business taxation should favour employees or grants to businesses. That is how backwards that line of thinking is.
You and the SP sure talk alot, but you're not saying anything.
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Anonymous, at 3:31 PM
Quimby, quite spining issues. Saskatchewan does not have the lowest corporate income tax rate. In the 2006 budget they announced that they were lowering the corporate income tax rate to 12% in 2008, however according to the Department of finance website the average corporate income tax rate will be 9.8%. That’s less than us. In 2003 the average corporate income tax rate amoung provinces was 12%, we were at 17%.
http://www.fin.gc.ca/toce/2003/cantaxadv_e.html
Quite raving that Saskatory needs to do research and then spout lies. All you are is rehtoric.
Quimby, are you worried about lossing your job when the NDP get booted out of office. "great mind", I'd rather have 10 honest hard working blue collar workers then your so called "great mind".
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deaninregina, at 3:46 PM
Just a quick response to Mayor Quimby's following question...
Are they (Labour regulations) not suppose to favour the worker ?
I don't think that is a correct statement. Labour laws are suppose to create a fair, safe, and equitable work environment for the employee and the employer. It is the basis for the employment relationship.
Let us look at a couple examples in which Saskatchewan tends to favour the employee over the employer:
1- Saskatchewan is the only province, where part-time employees are entitled to participate in any insurance benefits such as medical, dental and illness plans that are made available to full-time employees, on a pro-rated basis. This is a large expensive for companies, and if you had to choose where to expand your business would you choose Saskatchewan or any other province in which you would not have to occur this expense?
2 - Saskatchewan is also one of the only province to have mandated three weeks of vacation time into the labour law, compared to the common two weeks - this is also large cost to the employer.
These are just two common examples seen within the workforce today. Laws like these do drastically affect the economical growth of the province and the ability of the province to attract new commercial businesses.
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Anonymous, at 3:57 PM
Yeah, Dean read the post. I wrote, " One of the lowest ..."
Nice try though.
Don't worry those that know how to run a province will leave and we will get the SP gong show begins. I my guess is that it will make the Devine days look like Candyland.
So, why is your party needs to rebrand itself every 25 years or so ?
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Anonymous, at 3:59 PM
So the SP is against vacations and benefits.
Thanks.
And Labour laws are to protect the worker from abuse at the hands of the employer. Your anti-vacation and benefit rant proves the need for them because if they weren't codified in a statute, they wouldn't exist.
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Anonymous, at 4:02 PM
Maybe our small business tax rate of 4.5% is the lowest in the country.
Lets see NB is 1.5% Man and Alberat are 3.0% and BC is tied with us at 4.5% So I guess your wrong again.
http://www.alberta-canada.com/economy/positiveBusinessClimate/competitiveCorporateTaxes.cfm
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deaninregina, at 4:03 PM
Since when is above average one of the lowest, if your 'great mind' got 50% on your poli sci 101 class and the class average was 65% would you have 'one of the highest' marks?
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deaninregina, at 4:06 PM
"Don't worry those that know how to run a province will leave and we will get the SP gong show begins. I my guess is that it will make the Devine days look like Candyland."
Quimby, I think it is quite unfair of you to insinuate that anyone in the NDP administration knows how to run a province. Evidence from the past couple of years and the recent provincial budget suggests otherwise.
And, given the intelligence you've posted in previous comments, I would speculate that your "guess" is likely off track in that a Saskatchewan Party government will result in a gong show. You're so misguided in your outlook that your credibility on what may happen is a joke.
I'd also like to ask, after accusing me of "not saying anything", what exactly have you said in these posts that was not a feeble attempt to counter points made by me and others. What points have you made? I ask you to seriously and honestly consider that and get back to me.
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Saskatory, at 4:23 PM
By the way Quimby, why do you assume that the anonymous post I just realized you were responding to is a Sask Party member. Whoever it is sounds like they know what they're talking about, so they probably aren't a New Democrat, but who says he or she is Sask Party?
Because some anonymous poster says that our labour laws in this province are different in such ways as the benefits they offer to part-time employees and the mandated vacation time, then automatically the Sask Party is against employee benefits and vacation time. Perhaps you are in need of a logic course. It appears that your "great mind" could benefit from taking one. It also appears you might be well-suited to work for the NDP... oh wait... enough said.
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Saskatory, at 4:26 PM
Quimby:
Insinuating that the NDP are people who know how to run a province is an insult to people who know how to run a province.
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deaninregina, at 4:45 PM
You post the shit, you need to defend it. Do not post it, if your not willing to defend it.
Neither of you have stated anything of any substance, if your trying to spread the message at least try to get it right.
Whom in the SP has run a government ? None ? That's my first tip off that the gong show will be prevalent in SK. The second is history.
Lastly, when major investors are polled about business environments, tax load comes near the bottom of every survey. Guess what is the most important ?
By
Anonymous, at 7:39 PM
Mayor Quimby
Whom in the SP has run a government? I will tell you whom in the saskparty has been in government Don Toth was in the PC government of the 1980's. First elected in 1986 and has never lost an election since. serving as legislative secretary too the minister of Health from 1986-1991.
so you can't say nobody in the saskparty has never been in government Quimby!!
By
Anonymous, at 9:17 PM
Anon,
You make sure to keep reminding the electorate that Toth was a minister in the Devine government.
Thanks for the back up.
By
Anonymous, at 10:11 PM
Quimby I was not backing you up. I hate the NDP and I do not what to talk about Grant Devines government. I was simpley ansering the Qustion you asked!! Don't turn the this comment page into a debate about the PC's!!
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Anonymous, at 10:24 PM
Awesome Anon.
I get your point, the Saskatchewan Party has experience running government, because both Toth and Wall worked in the Devine government. Toth was even a minister. This is the reason the SP will run a good government because they learnt what to do from the Devine government.
Gotcha !
Thanks again, your an awesome straightman.
By
Anonymous, at 10:42 PM
Its nice to see the NDP are so upset they need to vent their frustration on a poor bloggers site. I guess when your 20 points down in the polls you need to distract yourself somehow.
Except besides low poll numbers the NDP has been exposed in another lie. Lying to the people of Saskatchewan about NDP Caucus Fraud.
Except the NDP are nothing but lies and falsities, they pretend they support the environment, but SaskPower is the 3rd largest emitter of CO2 gas in Canada, they pretend they support workers, except their polices forced youth who would have liked to have stayed and worked in the province to leave to find employment. They pretend they support the little guy, except they are as elite as they come. They give their friends, Tom Waller and co 300 dollar and hour paying jobs. They say they won’t raise taxes in the 2003 election but right after they raise the PST. They say if the Sask Party gets in Health care will get worse, except we have some of the longest waiting lists in the country.
The list goes on but the point is the NDP misrepresent the truth, their fabrication of lies is finally being exposed.
So I can see why quimby is in such a bad mood.
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deaninregina, at 9:34 AM
Quimby, the saskparty knows what not to do from what Grant Devine did in the 80's. there is no way that the same mistakes Devine did will ever happen agian. I bet when the saskparty is in government thay will pay down the debt and have blanced buggets and do way better then the NDP Ever did!!
By
Anonymous, at 2:01 PM
Anon,
Did you say bet ?
How much ?
Dean, more nonsense as usual.
By
Anonymous, at 2:07 PM
Quimby,
For someone who professes to be such a "great mind", you're quite weak in your rebuttals.
By
Saskatory, at 2:58 PM
Saskatory
There is nothing to rebut, when it is all nonsense and we are experienced because of Devine. That speaks for itself.
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Anonymous, at 3:34 PM
It's too bad that all the NDP has to throw back at those that oppose their politics is to mention Devine.
Just to let you in on what most people have realized by now: that doesn't work anymore and it won't work in the next election.
Right now the only politician more unpopular among the general public than Grant Devine is Lorne Calvert.
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Saskatory, at 3:37 PM
I'm not the one that pointed out that the SP has experience working in the Devine government. You neo-cons bring it up, I have to slap you for it.
By
Anonymous, at 11:05 PM
see frinds of Leftdog are hanging around spilling there rants about the past. Mayor Quimby and others of ther like are so pitful.
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Anonymous, at 11:30 AM
Quimby said"I'm outta this province, Sask Party government. Driving me and many other great minds away. "
I say "please leave the door open when you leave, many more "great minds" will be coming home! And imagine this, an NDPer saying he's leaving after a generation(or two) of our finest leaving cause of his government.(stats prove that!) Go live in Vancouver with all your other Socialist buddies. At least there you can scream at the world with people of like mind!
You see this economy that Calvert likes to take credit for has nothing to do with their policies. It has to do with the unprecedented growth in Alberta and the economies of China and India. The resource sector is hot anywhere you look, it is not just Saskatchewan. In fact Saskatchewan is one of the last places people look to do business because of the obstacles being the NDP, their policies/taxes and unfair labour board.
It is only because resources are so hot that companies have come to our province. Just watch and see at election time the companies will be lined up at the boarder waiting to come in when the Sask Party gets in power. And with this influx that will happen the NDP will be hard pressed to form government ever again. You see all these new people will not vote for socialism EVER! You will see the Sask Party and Liberals may rise from the ashes to become the official opposition.(not this election but maybe next)
By
Anonymous, at 4:08 PM
anonymous #2 - I completely agree with you.
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Saskatory, at 5:11 PM
anonymous #2, I completely agree with you. I have the hope that when the old generation of tommy dougles NDP voters ( those over the age of 75) are gone, that the NDP will die off and the Liberals take there place. It may happen it may not happen but will see what happens in the future. ( note I am NOT a Liberal, I AM A conservative so don't think I am in anyway suporting Liberals eather, I just what to get rid of the NDP)
By
Anonymous, at 5:39 PM
We miss the boat again. Just another way that this gov't has screwed things up. We could be building this here in Saskatchewan and selling the power to the US, Alberta etc. I know quimby will scream we don't have hte infastructure but that coulld be put in place. This gov't does not look to the future, it runs this province one day at a time!!!
Calgary firm seeks OK for nuclear reactor in Alberta
Jason Fekete, Calgary Herald
Published: Friday, May 04, 2007
Alberta could soon enter the nuclear era.
The nuclear power industry is looking to build a $6.2-billion Candu reactor in north-central Alberta, and delivered a presentation Thursday to the Stelmach government about an atomic alternative in the province.
Opposition parties said the proposal reeks of a backroom deal that's left Albertans in the dark about an important issue.
Energy Minister Mel Knight
CanWest News Service
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Font: ****Senior brass from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and Calgary-based Energy Alberta Corp. met with the Tory caucus in Edmonton, and later indicated they are planning a 2,200 megawatt Candu twin reactor -- the most powerful of its kind in Canada -- likely near Whitecourt or a second, unnamed, community west of Edmonton.
"We're proposing to build a nuclear power plant in the province of Alberta," said Energy Alberta president Wayne Henuset.
"It's for future generation needs in the province of Alberta and it's for electricity," Henuset said.
Energy Alberta will file an application June 15 to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, seeking one of five licences it needs, to build a twin reactor in the province to generate electricity and use the heat generated to help extract bitumen in the oilsands.
The meeting with the Stelmach government came on the eve of the Progressive Conservative convention this weekend in Edmonton, where party faithful will vote on a resolution asking the government to form a committee that would make recommendations on using nuclear power in the oilsands.
Energy Alberta is now going out to the communities to see which will volunteer support for a nuclear plant. Municipal leaders from Whitecourt are expected to tour a Candu (Canadian deuterium uranium) reactor in Eastern Canada within days, with officials from the other community to follow suit later this month.
The plant would be privately financed by Energy Alberta -- costing taxpayers not a penny -- and built by AECL, Henuset said.
He said a major oil and gas company has already indicated it wants the electricity.
It's believed it would take eight to 10 years before a reactor could be up and running, consisting of four to five years for regulatory approval and another four to five years for construction.
The companies and government were quick to note that no official proposal has yet been submitted to the government.
However, Energy Minister Mel Knight said caucus was eager to learn more about nuclear power in advance of Saturday's vote on the party resolution.
"I am completely open with respect to all forms of energy for the province of Alberta," Knight said, although he maintained there was no direct sales pitch delivered to caucus.
"Members thought the best way to have that open discussion this weekend would be to have themselves a bit informed."
The minister noted the province's energy demand is growing by 300 to 400 megawatts a year, and said alternatives for meeting that demand need to be considered.
Eighteen Candu reactors were in service in Canada last year, Most of them are in Ontario, where they generate about half of the province's electricity.
Jack Scott, western vice-president for AECL, argued that public backing is vital if any project is to go ahead.
"We don't have anything until we actually have community support," he said. "Once we have community support, then we can follow through."
Whitecourt already appears to be on board.
George VanderBurg, the MLA for the area, said Whitecourt's forest industry uses immense amounts of power and, along with the community, could benefit greatly from a nuclear plant that could produce more than 1,000 jobs.
"The community is looking at this as an economic development opportunity," VanderBurg said. "What can you do with a power plant in your back door that creates excess heat and excess power? It allows you to attract other industrial users."
However, the Alberta Liberals said they're skeptical about nuclear power in Alberta, while environmental groups are fiercely opposed to it, suggesting it's downright radioactive.
"It looks more and more like the Tory government has let the nuclear genie out of the bottle without ever consulting with Albertans," said Liberal Leader Kevin Taft.
Officials with the Pembina Institute, an environmental think-tank, argue concerns about how to dispose of nuclear waste outweigh the potential benefits of a reactor, such as an increased electricity supply and a reduction in greenhouse gases emitted, compared to coal-fired plants.
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