In the fifth of our series on what each party’s platform would mean to Edmonton, we look at the centrist Alberta party.
The party came together in 2010 and while they won’t form the government, their leader offers several ideas on how to improve the relationship between the province and Edmonton.
As the city grows, there is naturally a focus on the bricks and mortar and transportation, but the Alberta party applauds Edmonton’s efforts at supporting arts and culture.
“There’s so much to appreciate about the province of Alberta,” leader Glenn Taylor tells Global News, “not just our history, but also our performing arts and our film and television and the idea that we can actually be more than just energy and natural resource extraction.”
“The problem is,” explains political scientist Jim Lightbody, “is they are preaching a message that no one is going to hear. The noise of the major parties is going to drown them out.”
Glenn Taylor is not deterred, though. What he would like to see is a big city charter. A document which would formally recognize the provincial responsibilities which cities ultimately have to deal with.
“So how do we do that?” Taylor asks “How do we deliver that? It shouldn’t be based on who you met last night at a cocktail party. It should be based on a constructive discussion that we put into writing. We form a charter around that so we have a clear understanding of responsibilities. And again, how are we going to fund it?”
The former Hinton mayor calls the property tax system antiquated. For the party, it’s about stable funding; a five year capital plan that’s not at the whim of a boom/bust cycle.
“It will last longer than the election cycles, so, we’re not just throwing money out every election to say ‘hey look at us! Come and support us!’” explains Taylor, “What we’re saying is we need long term plans that reflect long term budgeting so that we can make informed choices.”
The party is hoping to make inroads this election, with the hope their ideas become part of the broader political debate.
with files from Vinesh Pratap
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2012.