2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#1CurrentArticle:
Nocurrentarticle.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Hays,inaspecialresolution,proposethefollowing:ThePolicyandConstitutionCommitteestrikeaMemberApprovedPolicyRestructuringCommitteewiththegoalofsubdividingtheMemberApprovedPolicyDocumentintotwocategories:a)Nomorethan25overarchingpoliciesfundamentaltotheParty'sphilosophyandprioritiesforfuturecampaigningandenactment,ifelected,asthenextGovernmentofAlbertab)Theremainderoftheexistingpoliciestobestreamlined,andconsolidatedwherepossibleintoamoremanageablenumber.ThisMemberApprovedPolicyRestructuringCommitteewillbetaskedwithconsultingmembersandreturningtothe2016AGMwithaMemberApprovedPolicydocumentrestructuredasaboveforapprovalbythemembership.Thisrestructureddocumentwillbesubmittedonthedeadlinedateforpolicysubmissionsaccordingtothefollowingtimelines:
1) Approvalofthisresolutionatthe2015AGM2) Ifpassed,formulationoftheMemberApprovedPolicyRestructuringCommittee.3) Reviewat2016PolicyForumsforCAmembersandotherhighlymotivated
members4) DistributionofRestructuringCommitteerecommendationstoCAsand
solicitationofCAfeedback/commentsbyAugust20165) RestructuringCommitteeiteratestherecommendeddocumentasitdeems
appropriateforsubmissiontothemembershipattheAGM.6) Votingbymembershipontherestructureddocumentat2016AGM.
***NOTE:PleaseseeAppendixAattheendofthisdocumentforanexampleofhowthesecorepoliciesmaybestructured.Theexampleisnotfinal,butintendedtoRationale:
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS Thereare191policystatementsinthecurrentPolicyBookasapprovedbythemembersatthe2014AGM.GiventhatoneofWildrose'smajorbeliefsistostreamlinegovernmenttodelivertheessentials,thislistofpoliciesistoolengthyandwordytobequicklyunderstoodwhenaskingforthevoters'support.Moreover,thereisconsiderableoverlapamongmanyofthepolicieswhichcouldreadilybeconsolidatedintoafewernumber.Aswell,thereareseveralstatementsthatonemightdescribeas'motherhood',whichwhileadmirable,moreproperlybelongwithourStatementofPrinciples,nowincludedwiththeParty'sConstitution.InordertoprovideaclearerpicturetonotonlyourownPartymembers,butalsotothevotingpublicingeneral,weshouldbeencapsulatingourmostimportantpoliciesinaconcisedocumentthatlendsitselftobothbeingprintedandpublicized,andalsoassuringmessageconsistencyfromourelectedMLAs.Itisourbeliefthatsuchacoresetofpoliciesshouldnumberatmost25,andideallycloserto20.WehavethoughtsforthePartymembers'considerationonwhatthesecorepoliciesshouldbe,giventhesubsequentacceptanceofthispolicysubmission.Theremainderoftheexisting191policiesshouldundergotheusualscrutinyfrommembers,butalsoshouldbeconsolidated/streamlinedinto,say,amaximumofanother75secondaryorsubsidiarypolicies.Atthistime,wewouldretainthe7majorpolicysections,butwewouldsuggestthattheseshouldberevisitedinthecomingyear.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#2CurrentArticle:
I.DEMOCRATICREFORM
A.Federalism
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
1....3....workwithotherprovincialgovernmentstopressurethefederalgovernmenttoreformthefederalEqualizationprogramtoachieveamoreequitabletransfersystem.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromStrathmore-Brooksproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:4....advocatethatequalizationformulastakeintoaccountpublicpolicydecisionsmadebyprovincialgovernmentsthatdiscourageeconomicactivityandsignificantlylimitresponsibleresourcedevelopment.Rationale:Publicpolicydecisionsthatdiscourageeconomicactivityandsignificantlylimitresponsibleresourcedevelopmentintroducealevelofunfairnessintotheequalizationsystemforallprovincesoverthelongrun.CanadiansandAlbertanswouldbebetterservedbyanequalizationformulathatencouragesandrewardsfiscalprudenceandresponsibleresourcedevelopmentratherthanasystemthatencouragespoliciesthathavethereverseeffects.ThisnewpolicystatementisanimportantadditiontotheMemberApprovedPoliciesbecauseitprovidesclearreasoningforwhyequalizationinitscurrentformoughttobereformedanditiswordedconstructivelywithaviewtowardsimprovementandfairnessforallprovincesinthelongrun.GiventhefiscalchallengesofCanadatodayandthepoliciesbeingimplementedindifferentpartsofthecountry,thisstatementisalsoparticularlyrelevanttopublicdiscoursegoingforward.Note:althoughequalizationfallsunderfederaljurisdiction,advocatingforafairerequalizationformulaiswithinprovincialjurisdiction.Thisstatementwouldbean
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS appropriateadditiontotheFederalismsectionbecauseitaddressesapublicpolicychangethatrelatestotherelationshipsbetweentheprovincesaswellasthefederalgovernment.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#3CurrentArticle:
I. DEMOCRATIC REFORM
A. Federalism
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
1. ... 3. ... work with other provincial governments to pressure the federal government to reform the federal Equalization program to achieve a more equitable transfer system.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:4....CreateanEqualizationReformTaskForcetoinvestigatetheissuessurroundingtheFederalEqualizationProgramwiththeobjectiveofdevelopinganewequalizationformulathatcorrectlyaccountsforbothprovincialrevenuesandspendingandthusisfairforallCanadiansandindoingsostrengthenstheconfederation.Rationale:ThisresolutiondiffersfromitemIA-3asitdoesnotincludetheneedtoworkjointlywithotherprovincesandthusaddsmoreweightfocustoanissueofvitalimportancetoAlbertans.Equalizationmaybethesinglemostsignificantthreattoconfederationinthemid-term.CurrentlyAlbertansarenetcontributorstothetuneof$4000percapitaannuallytotheprogram.Withthematurationofseveralcurrentoilsandsproductionfacilitiesandevermoreproductioncomingon-stream,royaltyandtaxrevenuesaregoingtogrowrapidlywhichwillalmostcertainlyescalatethatcontributionrate.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS That,bluntly,willnotstand-particularlywhenthecurrentequalizationsystemdoesnottakeintoaccountdifferencesinprovincialspendinghabits(government-fundeddaycareandheavilysubsidizedpostsecondaryeducationinQuebec,forexample)nordoesitadjustfortheforgonerevenuesofvariousprovincialcrowncorporationsthatprovideservicesandbenefitstotheircitizensatfarbelowmarketrates(electricityinMB,Quebec(andBCandNL?)Albertaforobviousreasons(andreasonstheyshouldnotbeashamedof)needstotaketheleadinfosteringunderstandingofthegravityoftheissueandthecleavagesinconfederationthecurrentEqualizationformulacreatesandinproposingasolutionthatisfairtoallCanadians.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#4CurrentArticle:
I. DEMOCRATIC REFORM
B. Electoral Reform
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
4. ... 8. ... strengthen voting regulations by following Federal Identification voting requirements.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:9....prohibitspendingannouncementsbytheprovincialGovernmentduringaby-electionperiod.Rationale:ThispolicygoesbacktotheOctoberby-electionswherethePC'smadebigspendingannouncements,includingonethataffectedaridingwhereaby-electionwashappening.Thispolicywouldpreventgovernmentfromtryingto"buy"by-electionsfortheonlypurposeofwinning.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#5CurrentArticle:
I. DEMOCRATIC REFORM
B. Electoral Reform
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
4. ... 8. ... strengthen voting regulations by following Federal Identification voting requirements.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:9....reducethemaximumamountanyonecandonatetoaregisteredprovincialpoliticalpartyto$2000percalendaryear.Thevalueofdonationincludesthatofcashorinkinddonations.Limitswillincreaseby$25onJanuary1stofeachyear.Rationale:Thisparticularpolicybetteralignswithfederalpartyfinancerules.Thedonationamountisslightlyhigherat$2000vs.$1500federally,butthe$25peryearincreaseisthesame(asperElectionsCanadawebsiteondonationlimits).Italsoensuresthatthepossibilityofanentity"buying"thesupportofapartyorcandidateissignificantlymitigated.Wildrosehasalsodonebestbygettingalargeamountofindividualsdonatingsmallerdollaramountssuchas$30,$50,or$75,forexample,atatime.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#6CurrentArticle:
I. DEMOCRATIC REFORM
B. Electoral Reform
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
4. ... 8. ... strengthen voting regulations by following Federal Identification voting requirements.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:9....prohibitregisteredpoliticalpartiesfromtakingoutloans. Rationale:ThispolicysuggestionclosestheNDPloopholethatallowsunionstoloanmoneytopoliticalparties.It'salsobasedonthebeliefthatapartyshouldbewellorganizedenoughinitsfundraisingtofullyfundtheiroperationsandcampaignsthroughdonationsfromregularAlbertans.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#7CurrentArticle:
I. DEMOCRATIC REFORM
B. Electoral Reform
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
7. ... hold elections for Alberta Senators at the same time as Provincial Elections. Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposethattheabovearticlebeamendedtoreadasfollows:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:7.…supporttheabolitionoftheCanadianSenate. Rationale:ThispolicyisconsistentwiththatofthefederalConservativeParty,andBradWall'sSaskatchewanParty(theonlytwoconservativegov'tleftinthecountry).It'salsoclearthatthesenatehasbeennothingbutaheadacheforCanada.EventhoughAlbertahashadelectedsenatorsappointed,itdoesn'tseemtohavemadeadifferenceinsenateconduct.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#8CurrentArticle:
I. DEMOCRATIC REFORM
B. Electoral Reform
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
4. ... 8. ... strengthen voting regulations by following Federal Identification voting requirements.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Kleinproposethatthefollowingarticlesbeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:9....PasslegislationpreventingMLAsfromcrossingdirectlyfromonecaucustoanother;MLAsmustsitatleastsixmonthsasanindependentinordertoconsultwithconstituentsbeforebeingeligibletojoinanothercaucus. Rationale:**NOTE:Ifthisproposalispassed,proposal#9ismootandwillnotbeheard,attheproposer’srequest**1.Floor-crossingissomethingthathasgoneonforcenturiesinWestminsterparliaments,butitisusuallycontroversial,generatesmanyhardfeelings,andwhendoneforpersonalgainhurtsallthoseattachedtoit.WhileWildroseonlybecameanofficialpartyintheLegislaturebecauseofMLAscrossingovertoourcaucus,thesurprise,mass-crossingtogovernmentthatoccurredinlate2014wasashockingeventthatshouldneverberepeated.2.Thisproposalbansfloor-crossing,butallowsanMLAtoasktojoinanothercaucusaftertaking6monthstogetfeedbackfromconstituents.3.TheotherCaucuswouldobviouslystillneedtodecidewhethertoaccept.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS 4.Whilecrossingovertothegoverningsideisusuallyunseemly,particularlywhentherearepromisesattached,somefloor-crossingsarelegitimateandrespectconstituents.Inparticular,whenagoverningcaucushaslostitsway,orhasbrokenakeypromisetoaconstituency,oringeneralhasstoppedactingonbehalfoftheconstituents,thehonourablethingforanMLAtodoistoleavethecaucus.Similarly,whenanyMLAsfeelstronglythattheirpartyhasturnedinthewrongdirection,orisdriftingintoobscuritywithnoreasonablehopeofrecovery,theyneedtobeabletogoindependent.5.Onceindependent,MLAsmightfindthattheirconstituentswantthemtojoinanothercaucus.Banningthemfromjoiningthatcaucuswouldseemundemocratic.6.By-electionsarecostly,andthePremiercandecidetowaitupto6monthsaftertheresignationbeforecallingone,meaningthoseconstituentswouldbeunrepresentedfor7months,andnotevenhavealocaloffice.OneoftheMLAswhojoinedWildrosein2010offeredtoruninaby-electionifitwascalledimmediately,butthePremierrefused.7.Havinga6-monthindependentperiodwouldensurethatconstituentswouldhaveafullopportunitytohaveasayonwhattheMLAshoulddo.Itwouldensuretherewerenosneakybackroomsurprisessprungonvoters,andthat,forexample,MLAswouldn'tbecrossingtogovernmenttobecomeaministerthenextweek.8.In2011,aftersittingasanindependentforabout11months,GuyBoutilierjoinedtheWildroseCaucustotheoutrageofalmostnoone.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#9CurrentArticle:
I. DEMOCRATIC REFORM
B. Electoral Reform
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
4. ... 8. ... strengthen voting regulations by following Federal Identification voting requirements.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Kleinproposethatthefollowingarticlesbeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:9....PasslegislationpreventingMLAsfromcrossingfromonecaucustoanother;MLAsmustsitasindependentsorresignandruninaby-electionevenifthatmeanstheirconstituencyisunrepresentedforupto7months. Rationale:**NOTE:Ifthisproposalispassed,proposal#8ismootandwillnotbeheard,attheproposer’srequest**1.Floor-crossingissomethingthathasgoneonforcenturiesinWestminsterparliaments,butitisusuallycontroversial,generatesmanyhardfeelings,andwhendoneforpersonalgainhurtsallthoseattachedtoit.WhileWildroseonlybecameanofficialpartyintheLegislaturebecauseofMLAscrossingovertoourcaucus,thesurprise,masscrossingtogovernmentthatoccurredinlate2014wasashockingeventthatshouldnotberepeated.2.ThisproposalensuresnoMLAcanjoinanothercaucuswithoutanelection.Sittingasanindependentisobviouslysomethingeverymemberhasarightto,andwhiletherearecostsandinconvenienceinvolved,runninginaby-electionunderanotherparty'sbanneristheonlyacceptablewaytojoinanothercaucusmid-term.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#10
CurrentArticle:
I.DEMOCRATICREFORM
C.GovernmentReform
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
9....16....createconflictofinterestlegislationandregulationsforgovernmentprocurement.Thelegislationandregulationsshouldi)clearlyspecifypenaltiesincludingdismissalofgovernmentemployeesforseriousbreachesofimpartialityandii)includeamandatory“coolingoff”periodpreventinggovernmentemployeesfromgoingtoworkforcontractorswhoseprocurementawardstheyhavebeeninvolvedin.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromStonyPlainproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:17....Allowprivateenterprisetocompeteagainstgovernmentessentialservicesandreceivethesamegrantsasthoseprovidedbygovernmentmonopolies. Rationale:Studieshaveshownthatcompetitionwithingovernmentservicesbenefitstaxpayersbyimprovingtheproductandservicetheyreceive.Ourcurrentmodelforservicesemploysagovernmentmonopolythatisnotcosteffective,hasnobudgeting,andnoaccountability.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#11CurrentArticle:
II. ECONOMY
A. Agriculture
Wildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should:
1. ... recognize that access to and use of land within a set of predictable and stable rules is crucial to the maintenance of an economical viable agricultural industry. Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposesthattheabovearticlebeamendedtoreadasfollows:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:1.…recognizethataccesstoanduseoflandwithinasetofpredictableandstablerulesiscrucialtothemaintenanceofaneconomicallyviableagriculturalindustry. Rationale:Currentstatementnotgrammaticallycorrect.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#12CurrentArticle:II.ECONOMY
A.Agriculture
LANDUSEANDPROPERTYRIGHTS
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
1....5....recognizethataffectedproducersmustbecompensatedforanylossofincomethatresultswhensocietyimposesrestrictionsonthewayinwhichproducersoperate.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:6....DesignandImplementaHigh-intensityLivestockLandZoningandRegulatoryframeworktoenablethosewishingtodevelopsuchoperationstomoveaheadinatimely,rationalmanner,confidentthattheyaredoingsounderasystemthatprotectsthemandtheirfellowAlbertansandtheenvironment.Rationale:ThereisenormouspotentialinAlbertafortheexpansionofhighintensitylivestockproductionduetonotjustexplodingglobaldemand,buttheimminentliberationofhugemarketsviavariousfreetradeagreements.Andtherearemanyexcellentlocations/regionsintheprovinceforsuchoperations.ButwhatpotentialownersandoperatorsofthesefacilitiesneedarezoningandregulatoryprotectionthatassuresthemthattheywillnotfallvictimtoNIMBYpolitics.Well-draftedregulationsandgoodsiteselectionbygovernmentcanprovidethemthatassurancewhilealsopreventingnewoperationslocatinginareasill-suitedforthem.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#13CurrentArticle:II.ECONOMY
B.SpendingControl
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
16....21....adoptaresults-basedgovernancemodelacrossallofitsdepartmentsasopposedtoaprocess-basedgovernancemodel.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:22....takeconcretestepstoeliminatethefundamentalimbalancebetweenGovernmentrevenuesandexpendituresthroughspendingreductionsandefficiencies.Rationale:ThispolicyproposalclearlystatestheWildrosepositiononhowwewoulddealwiththestructuraldeficitinAlberta.GovernmentspendinginAlbertahasballoonedtorecordlevels,anditmustbedealwithbyspendingreductionandfindingefficiencieswithingovernment.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#14CurrentArticle:II.ECONOMY
C.Energy
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
22....37....promoteandencouragemicro-generationofelectricitybyallparties,includingindustry,individualsandco-ops,andallowthemtosellitbacktotheelectricalgrid.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:38....recognizethattheAlbertaSedimentaryBasinhasreachedmaturestatusrelativetooilandgasexplorationand,toencouragecontinuedinvestmentinthissector,royaltyratesmusttrendlower,nothigher.Rationale:Otherpoliticalparties,andmuchofthepublic,wanttoraiseroyalties,whichistheexactoppositeofwhatshouldbedoneinamaturebasin.Amaturebasinmeansithasahighdrillingdensity,thebigfindshavebeenmade,andthefuturediscoverieswillbesmaller.Therehastobeanincentiveforpeopletoexploreforsmallerprizesotherwisetheywillgowiththeircapitalandjobstoareas/industriesthatgivereasonablereturnoninvestment.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#15CurrentArticle:II.ECONOMY
C.Energy
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
22....37....promoteandencouragemicro-generationofelectricitybyallparties,includingindustry,individualsandco-ops,andallowthemtosellitbacktotheelectricalgrid.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:38....ConductathoroughreviewoftheAlbertaEnergyRegulator(AER)anditsregulationwithaviewtowardsintroducingreformstomakeitmoreefficientandresponsivetotheneedsofboththeindustryandAlbertansaswellaslinkingitsfundingtheactivityleveloftheindustryitself.Rationale:TheAERisamassivelyover-staffedbureaucracy.Thisisparticularlyacutewhentheindustryitselfisexperiencingadownturn-theindustryiscuttingbackonitsactivitieswhiletheAERremainsunchanged.Andidlebureaucratscanbemeddlesomebureaucrats.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#16CurrentArticle:II.ECONOMY
C.Energy
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
22....37....promoteandencouragemicro-generationofelectricitybyallparties,includingindustry,individualsandco-ops,andallowthemtosellitbacktotheelectricalgrid.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposesthatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:38....Conductathoroughreviewoftheregulationsregardingelectricitygeneration,transmissionanddeliverywithaviewtowardsintroducingreformstomakethesesegmentsmoretransparent,morecompetitiveandmoreefficientlyregulatedandadministeredthantheycurrentlyare.Rationale:WhiletheKleinadministrationmadeanattempttoderegulatetheelectricalsystemitmadeahashofit-deregulatingsomepartswhileleavingothersuntouchedandingeneralthesystemofregulationandoversightisaveryinefficientmess.Weneedtofinishthejob.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#17
CurrentArticle:
II. ECONOMY
H.Labour
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
54....58....createrulestoensurethetransparencyandaccountabilityofallpensionplaninvestments.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromStrathmore-Brooksproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:59....graduallymovepublicsectoremployeepensionawayfromdefined-benefitplansandtowardsdefined-contributionplans.Rationale:ThisnewpolicystatementisanimportantadditiontotheMemberApprovedPoliciesbecauseitdescribesacommon-sensereformthatisalreadyyieldingresultsintheprivatesectorandcouldsimilarlyworkinthepublicsector.Movingpensionsfromdefined-benefittodefined-contributionmodelspreventsthecreationofunfundedliabilities,whichareaninherentproblemwiththeformer,asaresultofconstantchangesinthesizeofthelabourforceandchangesintheeconomy.Thisstatementisfairandbalancedasitpresentsareformthatwouldbemoreresponsivetochangeandfairertoemployeesandtootherstakeholdersinthelongrun.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#18
CurrentArticle:
II. ECONOMY
H.Labour
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
54....58....createrulestoensurethetransparencyandaccountabilityofallpensionplaninvestments.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:59....InvestigatethefeasibilityandmannerinwhichthecurrentWorkersCompensationBoard(WCB)systemcanbeopened-uptobecomeatransparentandcompetitivesystemwiththecostandservicebenefitssuchasystemcoulddeliverintheprovisionofthisvitallyimportantprotectionofAlberta’sworkers.Rationale:TheWCBisamonopolyproviderofon-the-jobaccidentinsuranceformanyworkingAlbertans.Andlikeallmonopolies,itisvastlyinefficient,insensitivetoitsclients-bothworkersandemployers.Removingthemonopolyandcreatingamarketfortheprovisionofthemandatedcoveragewouldcreatethemuch-neededcompetitionandtheefficiencies,serviceandaccountabilitytotheemployersandemployees(andAlbertansasawhole)freemarketsdeliver.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#19CurrentArticle:
II. ECONOMY
J.FederalEqualizationandTransfers
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
62....67....providegreatertaxdeductionsforcharitablecontributions.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:68....StudythemeritsofbecomingapartofthenationalHarmonizedGoodsandServicesTax(HST)systemwithfollowinggoals:
a) HavingtheGovernmentofAlbertacontroltherateoftax,notthefederalgovernment.
b) DeterminingifitwillimproveinterprovincialtradeandbeamoreefficientalternativetotheGST.
c) ThatallofthoserevenueswouldbeautomaticallytransferredtotheProvinceofAlberta.
d) Ensuringthatitwouldbeatrevenueneutral-thattherevenuesgeneratedwouldnotexceedthoseoftheGSTrevenues.
Rationale:TheGSTisamassivetaxontheeconomicactivityofAlbertansoverwhichtheyhavenocontrol.Thefederalgovernmentsetstherate.AndthepartythatisinpowerfederallymayhaveradicallydifferentideasfromthoseofAlbertansastowhatthatrateshouldbe.AdditionallyCanada-wideHSTstructurewouldbemoreefficientthanthecurrentpatchworkofHSTsandPST+GSTorjustGST.Clearlyforthisreasonthefederalgovernmentwouldpreferapan-CanadianHSTsystem.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS BycommittingtonotusethisaasmeansofincreasingthetaxburdenonAlbertans,becomingpartoftheHSTwilldeliverthoseefficienciesANDprotectAlbertansfromrateincreasesimposedbyoutsiders.Itcurrentlyistaxationthatlacksenoughrepresentation.InsistingthatallofthoserevenuesbetransferredtotheprovincewillallowthefederalgovernmenttoexittheHealthcaretransfersystem-asystemthatinfringesonHealthcare-aprovincialjurisdiction.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#20CurrentArticle:
III. EDUCATION
A.Courses
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
1.…grantpublic,separate,andpubliccharterschoolsmoreflexibilitytoofferspecializedprogramsinthetrades,arts,music,physicaleducationandbusinesswhileensuringallstudentslearnthecoreaspectsofthestandardcurriculum.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromFortMcMurray-ConklinproposethatthecurrentArticle1beamendedasfollows:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
1.…grantpublic,separate,andpubliccharterschools,privateschoolsandhomeschoolingmoreflexibilitytoofferoraccessspecializedprogramsinthetrades,arts,music,physicaleducationandbusinesswhileensuringallstudentslearnthecorefundamentalaspectsofthestandardcurriculum.coresubjects.
Rationale:
ThesameflexibilityandaccesstospecializedopportunitiesmustexistequallyforallAlbertastudentsinallformsofeducationchoiceasperWildrosePolicyIII.EducationD.SchoolChoice#11,soasnottogiveanadvantagetosome,orrestrictothers.
Notallstudentsoreducatorscurrentlyfollowonesamestandardcorecurriculum,aslongasasolidcoreprogramisprovidedandprescribedlearningoutcomesaremet(suchastheScheduleofLearningOutcomesasperAppendixAoftheHomeEducationRegulation).Toensureallstudentslearnthecoreaspectsof‘the’standardcurriculumwouldbetoforceallintoonemold,denyingthefreedomofchoiceandmethodtomeettheindividualeducationgoalsandneedsofthestudents.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#21CurrentArticle:
III. EDUCATION
C.Post-SecondaryEducation
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
7....10....supportresearchanddevelopmentfundingforcolleges,universitiesandinstitutesbyencouragingprivatesectorpartnershipswhilerespectingpureresearch,academicfreedom,andinstitutionalautonomy.
Proposal:WildrosemembersKeeanBexteand9othersingoodstandingproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:11....AmendthePost-SecondaryLearningActtoalloweverystudenttochoosewhetherornothe/shewishestobecomeadues-payingmemberofastudentassociation,ineachyearofenrollmentatapost-secondaryeducationinstitute.Rationale:**NOTE:Ifthisproposalispassed,proposal#22ismootandwillnotbeheard,attheproposer’srequest**1.Atthistime,thePost-SecondaryLearningActofAlbertastipulatesthatallstudentsatapost-secondaryinstitutionmustpayduestothestudentassociationattheirrespectiveinstitution.Muchlikemandatorymembershipandduestoanypublicsectorunion,theseduesarethenoftenusedtoadvancecertain,oftenprogressive,politicalagenda.Thusstudentsenduppayingforpoliticalideology,advocacyandactionthatmaybedirectlycountertotheirownpoliticalprinciples.2.GreaterrepresentationintheWildrosePartyofpeopleundertheageof30yearsoldisadesirablegoal.IntheinterestofbuildingmembershipnumbersandstrengthamongyoungpeopleandthestudentpopulationthePartyneedstobegintodeveloprealpost-secondaryeducationpoliciesthatwecandeliveron.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS 3.ConservativePartiesinAlbertahavefailedtoaddressthespecificinterestsofvoting-agestudentsandtoarticulateviableandpracticalconservativepost-secondarypolicyalternativesthatwillattractyouthmembershipandelectoralsupportinthesamewayliberalandprogressivepoliticalPartieshave.4.ItisalmostimpossibletobuildandspreadyouthinterestormembershipmomentuminthePartyintheabsenceofsuchpolicy.Manyyoungpeoplehaveanaturalinterestinpoliticalideologyandso,leftwiththisvacuumfromtheright,willinevitablygravitatetotheleft.5.Thelibertarianaspectofconservativepoliticsiswhattendstointerestmostinterestyoungpeople.Thispolicyhitsrightatthatinterest:civilrights,individualrights,freedomofspeechandassociation,freedomofchoiceandlimitsoncompulsivelegislationofthetypethatissoprevalentontheleft.6.WeneedtotakethisopportunitytodemonstratetostudentsandyouththatwecareabouttheirinterestsandthatweactuallywantthemtocareaboutWildroseandtoseeit,notasjustan“oldpeople’s”Party,butaPartyofyouthandthefuture.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#22CurrentArticle:
III. EDUCATION
C.Post-SecondaryEducation
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
7....10....supportresearchanddevelopmentfundingforcolleges,universitiesandinstitutesbyencouragingprivatesectorpartnershipswhilerespectingpureresearch,academicfreedom,andinstitutionalautonomy.
Proposal:WildrosemembersKeeanBexteand9othersingoodstandingproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:11....AmendtheFreedomofInformationandProtectionofPrivacyActtoaddpost-secondarystudentassociationswithmandatorymembershiptoSection1(j)oftheAct.Rationale:**NOTE:Ifthisproposalispassed,proposal#22ismootandwillnotbeheard,attheproposer’srequest**1.TheFreedomofInformationandProtectionofPrivacyAct,Section1(j)stipulatesthata“localpublicbody”means(i)aneducationalbody,(ii)ahealthcarebody,or(iii)alocalgovernmentbodyand,althoughStudentUnionassociationswithcompulsorymembershiparenotincluded.Wepresumethisisbecauseunionsarenotincludedastheyarenotseenas“apublicbody”.2.ThepurposeoftheActisoutlinedasfollows:"Toallowanypersonarightofaccesstotherecordsinthecustodyorunderthecontrolofapublicbody"3.ItisasharedunderstandingbetweenmembersoftheWildrosePartythattransparencyandchoicearepillarsofdemocracy.Sincestudentassociationsare
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS compulsoryitonlymakessensethatmembersshouldenjoycompletefiscalandpoliticaltransparencyoftheassociationtheyareforcedtobelongto.4.Asanexample,theUniversityofCalgaryStudents'Unionhasabudgetof$19million.Thatisnosmallamountofmoney;itismoneythatisforciblytakenbysocialistbureaucratstofundanoftentimespartisanagenda.Keepingthisinformationprivateandunavailabletothemembershipisundemocraticandcompromisesthecivilrightsofthemembers.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#23CurrentArticle:
III. EDUCATION
D.SchoolChoice
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
11.… protectparent’srighttochoosewhatschooltheirchildattendswhetheritbepublic,separate,publiccharter,privateorhomeschooling.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromFortMcMurray-ConklinproposethatthecurrentArticle1beamendedasfollows:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
11.…Recognizethatparentsaretheprimarydecision-makersfortheirchildrenandtheirchildren’seducation,andprotectparent’srighttochoosetheeducationtheirchildreceiveswhatschooltheirchildattendswhetheritbethroughpublic,separate,publiccharter,privateschoolorhomeschooling.*
Rationale:
Itisimportanttoensurethatthosewhohaveultimateresponsibilityforthechildalsohavetheultimateauthorityinmakingeducationdecisionsforthem.
Tolimitthechoiceofparentstowhatschooltheirchildattendsstripsthemoftheirrighttohaveanyinput,sayordecisionastothetype,formandcontentofeducationtheirchildwillreceive.
*Note:BoldanditalicizedtextidentifiesadditionsandchangesfromtheCurrentArticle;Wordsalsostrickenoutdenotedeletions(e.g.deletions)fromtheCurrentArticle.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#24CurrentArticle:
III. EDUCATION
D.SchoolChoice
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
11....14....liftthefreezeonnewpublicnon-profitcharterschools,allowingteachers,parents,specialneedsworkers,andothereducationalexpertstooffernewandinnovativecurriculumandprogramsforstudents.Suchschoolsmustbeopentoallstudentsandmaynotchargetuition.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:15....Inlightofthedramatictechnologicalchangessweepingtheeducationfield,investigatetheviabilityofcreatingaEducationAllowancesysteminordertoliberateparents,childrenandthoseadultslookingtofurthertheireducationbyenablingmoreflexibilityinhowtheyaccesseducationalservicesandresourcesatallages.Rationale:TheenormousanddramaticchangesincommunicationstechnologyhavealreadybeguntorevolutionizehowAlbertansreceiveeducationservices.
Thedominationofbricksandmortarclassroomsandlecturehallsisfastcomingtoanend.Thepotentialforefficienciesandchannelsofexcellencetoincreaseisimmense,providedthesystemcanrespondinaflexibleandefficientmanner.AvoucherorEducationSpendingAccount(ESA)systemthatgaveeachstudentfundingthattheythenchoosetodeployhowthey(andtheirparents/guardians)considerthebestfortheircircumstanceswouldbethebestoptionforachievingthosetwoobjectives.SuchasystemcouldbeopeneduptocitizensovertheageofeighteenhelpingadultAlbertanstofurtherthetraining,skillsandaccreditationlevels.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#25CurrentArticle:V.HEALTHCARE
B.Delivery
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
9.…20....addressfraudinourhealthcaresystembyrequiringallhealthcardstoshowphotographsandberenewedeveryfiveyears(asaredriver’slicences).Inaddition,thoseindividualswhohavedriver’slicencesshallhavehealthcardsmergedwithdriver’slicencestoformonecardwhenbeingrenewed.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromStrathmore-Brooksproposethatthecurrentarticlebeaddedtothepolicydocument:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
21.…encouragecompetitionandchoiceinthedeliveryofhealthcare,keepingthefocusonachievinggreaterefficiencyandbetterhealthoutcomesforpatients.
Rationale:ThisnewpolicystatementisanimportantadditiontotheMemberApprovedPoliciesbecauseittiestwoofthethingsthatmattermosttoAlbertans,achievingbetterhealthoutcomesandefficiency,tomeaningfulreformsthatwillproducebetterresults.Competitionandchoiceareessentialcomponentstoafunctioningeconomythathavethebenevolenteffectsofencouraginginnovationanddrivingdownprices.Traditionallyithasbeenassumedthathealthcareshouldremainexclusivelywithinthepublicsector.AquickexaminationofCanadianhealthcareinthe21stcenturyrevealsadifferentpicture.PrimaryCareNetworks,longtermcarefacilities,pharmacies,dentalandchiropracticclinics,diagnosticandlaboratoryservicesareallexamplesofnon-governmental,alternativemethodsofdeliverythatarealreadyplayingakeyroleinhealthcare.MaintaininguniversalaccessthroughotherformsofhealthcaredeliverywhileprovidingmoreoptionsforAlbertansatalowercostisnotonlypossiblebutalsonecessary.ThisisapolicythatshouldbeproudlydefendedbyaWildrosegovernment.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#26CurrentArticle:V.HEALTHCARE
C.Funding
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
21.…25....deliveranannualindividualstatementofbenefitstoeachresidentofAlberta.
Proposal:RoseyRosenkeand4otherWildrosemembersingoodstandingproposethatthecurrentarticlebeaddedtothepolicydocument:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:26.…inthecaseoffederallawlegalizingassistedsuicideandeuthanasia,notspendanyhealthcaremoneytofundassistedsuicide/euthanasia.Rationale:InlightoftherecentlegalizationofassistedsuicideinCanadaitwillsoonbeuptotheprovincialhealthcaresystemstoregulateassistedsuicide.StayingtruetothelibertarianprinciplesoftheWildrosePartyweshouldnotchoosetofundindividual'spersonaldecisionstoendtheirlives.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#27CurrentArticle:V.HEALTHCARE
C.Funding
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
21.…25....deliveranannualindividualstatementofbenefitstoeachresidentofAlberta.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromDraytonValley-Devonproposethatthecurrentarticlebeaddedtothepolicydocument:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:26.…directprovincialhealthcaredollarstowardshighqualitypalliativecare. Rationale:Aparliamentarycommitteein2000showedthatmostCanadiansdonothaveaccesstohighqualitypalliativecare.ItispossiblethatonceassistedsuicidebecomeslegalinCanada,healthcaredollarswilldiverttosupportthepracticeofassistedsuicideratherthantoensuringAlbertanshaveaccesstohighqualitypalliativecare.Wefeelthatthisproposedresolution,whichaddressesthisconcernoffundingforpalliativecaretakingpriorityoverfundingofassistedsuicide,fitswithwishesofAlbertans,andfitsinwiththevaluesoftheWildroseParty.ThispolicyproposalwasunanimouslysupportedbyallwhoattendedtheConstituencyAssociationmeetinginwhichthispolicywasdiscussed.Theirsignaturesareincludedontheaccompanyingdocument.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#28CurrentArticle:V.HEALTHCARE
C.Funding
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
21....25....deliveranannualindividualstatementofbenefitstoeachresidentofAlberta.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakeproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
26.…InvestigatethecreationofaSeniorsandDisabledCareAllowanceprogramthatwouldgiveseniorsandthedisabledAlbertanswhorequireassistancefortheirdaytodaylivingthefundingandthusthefreedomtochoosehowtheywishaccessthatassistance.
Rationale:Itiswidelyrecognizedthatthesupplyofgovernmentbuiltandoperatedfacilitiesforseniorsinneedofcareiseithergoingtobedramaticallybelowtherequiredsupplyand/orextremelyexpensiveandinflexible.Meanwhilethesegovernment-runfacilitieshaveunfairfundingadvantagescomparedtoprivateassisted-livingfacilities.AlsothereisahugeunusedinventoryofroomsandmanpowerthataSeniorsCareAllowanceprogramcouldopen-up-theunusedbedroomsofson’sanddaughter’shomeswhosechildrenarenowadults.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#29CurrentArticle:V.HEALTHCAREC.Funding
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:21....25....deliveranannualindividualstatementofbenefitstoeachresidentofAlberta.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:26.…ReviewandreformtheAlbertaNon-GroupandSeniorsBenefitprogramswiththefollowinggoalstobeachieved:
a) Puttingthethirdpartyprovisionofthoseservicesouttotenderwithamandatedfive-yearre-tenderingfromthenon.Additionally,nobrandingoftheprogramsbythethirdpartywillbeallowed.
b) Puttingbothprogramsontracktowardsachievingadeficit-freefootingwhereintotalpremiumschargedmatchtotalbenefitspaid.
c) Provideapremium-subsidyprogramforthoseoflimitedmeans.
Rationale:Bothoftheseprogramsrunmassivedeficits.Theseniors’benefitispubliclyfunded,yetbothcompete(unfairly)intheprivatemarket.
TheyareoperatedbyBlueCrossand(toourknowledge)theyhavenotbeenputtotenderforatleasttwentyyears.BlueCrosshasbeenbrandingitandthusisperceivedbymanyasbeingagovernmententity.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#30CurrentArticle:V.HEALTHCAREC.Funding
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:21....25....deliveranannualindividualstatementofbenefitstoeachresidentofAlberta.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromInnisfail-SylvanLakethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
26.…InvestigatethecreationofaProvincialHealthSpendingAccountprogramthatwouldgiveAlbertansfundstoaccessestablishedmedicallybeneficialhealthcareservicesthatarecurrentlynotcoveredbytheprovincialgovernment.
Rationale:TherearemanyhealthcareoptionsthathaveclinicallyprovenbenefitsforthoseinneedthatAlbertansmustpayforoutoftheirownpocketseitherdirectlyorviathepurchaseofinsurance.ThefailingofthecurrentarrangementisthatmanyAlbertanssufferneedlesslybecausetheycannotaffordtheservices.Thisisoftencompoundedbytheailmentgrowinginseveritytothepointthattheyhavetobeadmittedtoapublically-fundedandusuallyfarmoreexpensivefacilityorserviceandinmanycasestheyhavetostopworkingthuscostingthemselves,theiremployers,andtheAlbertaneconomyfarmore.
Amodest,voluntary(bothforAlbertans,andcareproviders)HealthSpendingAccountthatwouldcoveramanyoftheseservicescouldactuallysavetheprovincialgovernmentonhealthcarecostsaswellasimprovingthehealthandwellbeingofmanyAlbertansandtheirfamilies.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#31CurrentArticle:
VI. JUSTICE
B.Policing
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
7.…10....reviewoftrafficpolicingprocessacrosstheprovincetoclearlydeterminewhatworksandwhatdoesnotandtoamendlegislationtoremoveallfinancialincentivestotrafficlawenforcementinAlberta.
Proposal:WildrosemembersfromCalgary-Currieproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:11.…prohibittheuseofphotoradar,excludingspeed-on-greenandredlightcameras,onAlbertahighwaysandroadsandinsteadenforcetrafficlawsviaofficers.Rationale:Photoradartoenforcespeedlimitsrarelychangesbehaviours.Manydon’tknowthatthey’vebeencaughtuntiltheticketarrivesinthemail.Therearenodemeritpointsassociatedwithaphotoradarticketforspeeding,sodeterrentsareverylimited.Speed-on-green,andred-lightcamerasaretobeexcludedfromthispolicystatementastheyreducecollisioninhigh-collisionintersections,specificallybecausemanyknowthatcamerasarethereandpresent.Peopleslowdownintheseintersectionsasthey’reawaretheywillalwaysreceiveaticketifspeedingorrunningredlightsintheseareas.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#32CurrentArticle:
VI. JUSTICE
D.Firearms
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
12.…15.…tableperiodicreportsintheLegislatureconcerningthefrequency,causesandpreventionofallcategoriesofviolentcrimeinAlberta,andthesocial,environmental,andeconomiceffectsofallfirearms-relatedactivities
Proposal: ToddBrownand14otherWildrosemembersingoodstandingproposethatthefollowingarticlebeaddedtothissection:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:16.…takecontroloftheadministration,applicationandinterpretationoftheFirearmsActwiththegoalofreducingpaperworkandlegalhurdlesforgunownersinAlberta.ThegovernmentshouldalsoappointourownChiefFirearmsOfficer(CFO)andlimitwhattheCFOcandoonanarbitrarybasis.Rationale:Thisproposalwillresoundwellwithmostifnotallgunowners,ruralandurbanalike.KeepingtheCFO'sfromarbitrarilymakingpolicythatisenforcedaslawissomethingthatshouldneverbetolerated.Theonlybodythatshouldbemakinglawisparliament,whetherfederalorprovincial,andthisproblemcanbecorrectedonaprovinciallevel.Correctingthisproblemwouldalsosaveanestimated$6-millionannually. BackgroundInformation WhentheFirearmsActwasfirstintroducedtheprovincesweregiventheoptiontoadministerit.Whilemanyprovincesturneditdown,afewdidnot.TheresultinAlbertaisthatthepolicysurroundingtheadministrationoftheActisdrivenoutofOttawaandbytheRCMP.ThestaffthatadministerstheActareeitherformerRCMPorusuallyhavestrongtiestothem.Albertaendsupbeingasmallvoiceyetisoneofthegreatestimpacted.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS IfAlbertaweretotakeovertheadministrationoftheFirearmsAct,wewouldhavemorecontrolovertheapplicationandinterpretationofthelegislation.Forexample,therearemanysituationsthattheChiefFirearmsOfficer(CFO)hasdiscretioninprovidingconditionsandinapplying“goodandsufficientreasons”. Currently,theCFOrequiresthatapersonholdavalidrangemembershiptorenewtheirLicenseorwhenpurchasingarestrictedfirearm.TherearemanyrangesthatofferdaypassesorguestpassesandinPEItheyevenallowfarmerstotargetpracticeontheirownproperty,providedtheyarenotviolatinganyotherlaws.YetunlessanAlbertanwantstogotocourt,theyareforcedtopurchasearangemembershiptheyhavenouseforandnointentionofusing.NowhereintheFirearmsActdoesitstatethatarangemembershipisaprerequisitetogetting,orkeeping,arestrictedfirearmslicense.ThisisaCFOpolicy. TheCFOsentacontractforallAlbertaFirearmsinstructorstosign,andwhilemostpointsmakesense,oneisparticularlyegregious:clause18;“youagreetofollowanyfurtherconditionsasrequiredbytheChiefFirearmsOfficer”.Thereisnobusinessmanthatwouldsignacontractinwhichthereisanopen-endedclausethatgivesallpowerofchangeandrevisiontotheotherparty.Asaresultofthiscontract,Albertahaslostalmost50%ofitsinstructorbase.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
PolicyProposal#33CurrentArticle:
MultipleLocations:
WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:
Proposal:RobWoronukand4othermembersingoodstandingproposethatthefollowingberemovedfromthepreambleofallsectionsandsub-sections:WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:*Rationale:
1. ThischangemakesallMemberApprovedPolicies(“MAP”)ofthesamestructureasCaucuspoliciesintheLegislativePolicyAgendaandreflectsaconsistencyandunityofexpressionwithintheParty.
2. The“WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:”clausehas
neverbeenapprovedbyMembersatanAGM.Atthe2011AGMwhereitwasproposed(Resolution32),itfailedtopass.
3. The“Wildrosemembersbelieve…”clausespeaksofbeliefs,notpolicies.
4. Therepetitiousnessoftheclauseistediousandinefficient.Allthat’sreally
neededisthepolicy.ExampleofPoliciesRewrite:ThefirstblockofCaucusPoliciesonWildrose.caiscalledBalancedBudgets(seehttps://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/wildrose/pages/223/attachments/original/1429486536/Balanced_Budgets_apr19.pdf?1429486536)andthefirstthreepoliciesare:
*Note:BoldanditalicizedtextidentifiesadditionsandchangesfromtheCurrentArticle;Wordsalsostrickenoutdenotedeletions(e.g.deletions)fromtheCurrentArticle.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS •Balancethebudgetby2017withoutraisingtaxesorcuttingfrontlineservices•Includeallcapitalspendinginatransparentbudgetsurplusfigure-thePCgovernmentleftoutover$4billionthisyear•CreateanIndependentBudgetOfficetoprovideindependentanalysisofbudgetprojections,economicforecasts,andcostestimatesNotethatallpoliciesstartwithaverb:Balance,Include,Createetc.inthiscase.NowcomparetheabovewithcurrentMemberApprovedPolicies,againstartingwiththefirst:“I.DEMOCRATICREFORMA.FederalismWildrose members believe the Government of Alberta should: 1. … defend Alberta against intrusions by the federal government by protecting the property, legal, constitutional and democratic rights of Albertans. 2. … work with the federal and provincial governments, professional trade organizations and regulatory bodies to ensure that residents of Canada who have recognized qualifications and credentials to practice a trade, skill or profession can carry out business anywhere in Canada. 3. … work with other provincial governments to pressure the federal government to reform the federal Equalization program to achieve a more equitable transfer system.” Withtheapprovalofthemotionthiswouldberewritten:“I.DEMOCRATICREFORMA.Federalism1. Defend Alberta against intrusions by the federal government by protecting the property, legal, constitutional and democratic rights of Albertans. 2. Work with the federal and provincial governments, professional trade organizations and regulatory bodies to ensure that residents of Canada who have recognized qualifications and credentials to practice a trade, skill or profession can carry out business anywhere in Canada. 3. Work with other provincial governments to pressure the federal government to reform the federal Equalization program to achieve a more equitable transfer system.” Removedisthe"WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:”andthepoliciesbeginwithverbs:Defend,Work,Worketc.WenowhaveaparallelstructurebetweenCaucusPolicyandMAP.
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS
AppendixA–RestructuredPolicyDocumentExample
***NOTE:ThisistoserveonlyasanexampleofhowthePolicyDocumentcanberestructured,notpreciselyhowitwouldberestructured.***
SuggestedCorePolicies(selectedfrom2014AGMMemberApprovedPolicies)
DraftbyChrisPhilips,CalgaryHaysBoardMemberOctober3,2015
Notes:a)The7majorsectionshavebeenretainedfornow,withatleast2corepoliciespersectionb)Certainpolicieshavebeenconsolidatedintoasuggestedcorepolicy,bothwithinandbetweenthe7sections WildrosemembersbelievetheGovernmentofAlbertashould:I. DEMOCRATICREFORM
• upholdthefundamentalpropertyandcivilrightsofallAlbertans,andprotectthemfromarbitrary,frivolousandvexatiousclaims
• implementfulldisclosureofallfinancialexpendituresofpublicfunds,requiringallorganizationsthatreceivepublicfundingfromtheProvincialGovernment--includingprovincialgovernmentdepartments,municipalities,hospitals,schoolboards,universities,colleges,provincialboards/agencies/commissions,andcrowncorporations--todiscloseannuallythepositions,salariesandtotaltaxablebenefitsofemployeespaidoveracertainlevelinacalendaryear
• providestable,predictablefundingtomunicipalities,determinedbyanobjectiveformulatosupportshortandlong-termlocaldecisionmaking
• instituteaneffectivesunsetprovisiononallprovincialregulationsthatwillensurethattheyarereviewedonaregularbasisbygovernmentandtheaffectedsectors,thattheyremainrelevant,andthattheyarebothconducivetothepublicgood/safetyandsupportiveofcompetitivemarket-drivenenterprise
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS II. ECONOMY
• prioritizespendingtowardsfrontlinestaffingpositionsandcriticalcorepublicservicessuchasHealth,Education,Seniors,PolicingandSocialSupports;with.spendingreductionstargetedatunnecessaryprogramsandbureaucracy,payandperksforbothgovernmentandprovincialboards/agencies/commissionsandcrowncorporationsexecutives,andgrants/subsidiestofor-profitcorporations
• adoptaresults-basedgovernancemodelacrossallofitsdepartmentsasopposedtoaprocess-basedgovernancemodel
• ensureaninternationallycompetitiveregulatoryandfiscalregimethatattractsandretainsbothupstreamanddownstreamenergy-relatedinvestment
• createbudgettransparencyguidelinestoensuregovernmentdebtsandcashdeficitsarepubliclyandaccuratelyreported
• mandatepublicdisclosureoftheGovernment’sprioritylistandrationaleforallinfrastructureprojectsandmaintenance,includingthemeansoffinancing
III. EDUCATION
• institutemethodstoimprovetransparencyconcerningrequiredacademicstandardsandstudentoutcomes,sothatparentshavetheinformationtheyneedtomakeinformeddecisionsregardingtheirchild’seducation
• protectparents’righttochoosewhatschooltheirchildattends,whetheritbepublic,separate,publiccharter,privateorhomeschooling;andwithfundingfollowingthestudent
• placeequivalentemphasisonstrengtheningtheavailabilityof,andfundingfor,eachofacademic,technical,andskilledtradescurricula/programs,bothatsecondaryandpost-secondarylevels
IV. ENVIRONMENT
• ensuretheresponsibledevelopmentofAlberta’snaturalresources,optimizingenvironmentalandfiscalsustainability,includingmoreefficientresourcerecoverymethods,effectivewaterandemissionsmanagement,andcogenerationintheinterestofAlbertans
• conserveAlberta’senvironmentandmonitorenvironmentalimpactswithenforcementprovisions,whilebalancingeconomicdevelopmentopportunities
2015MEMBERAPPROVEDPOLICYPROPOSALS V. HEALTHCARE
• decentralizeAlbertaHealthServicesandrestoremoredecision-makingtothelocallevel
• focusfundingonpatientcareandreducewastefulspendinginthesystem• instituteaHealthManagementSystem,includingoutcomesperformance
measures,thatrewardscost-effective,cost-savingadministrationbyprovidingincentivestodoctors,nursesandhealthcareprofessionals
VI. JUSTICE
• ensurethatallAlbertanshaveaccesstolegalrepresentationandjustice• ensurethattherightsofcrimevictims,includingtherightof
compensationfromconvictedpersons,takeprecedenceoverthosefoundguiltyofcommittingcrimes
VII. SOCIAL
• implementaneffectiveandincentivebasedsocialassistanceprogramthatwillpromoteparticipationintheeconomy
• providesocialservicesthroughcommunityorganizationsratherthangovernmentwheneverpossible