Redford has a Couple Problems

Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 232 (August 15, 2012) Whispering in the Wind For those who read this column regularly it is well known that I have supported Alison Redford’s candidacies, right from the start: in her bid for the Alberta PC leadership and then again in her success at the polls in the last provincial election. Today, I continue to support Premier Redford (and her team) but she is facing at least two challenges which could prove disastrous for her (and her progressive government). She must handle these two issues with conviction and determination – and yes handle both expeditiously. The Pipeline Saga Alberta, no Canada is on the threshold of becoming an energy superpower and to a large extent success will be dependant upon the acceptance of a pipeline running from Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia. Rather than showing responsible leadership and preparing for the opportunity, politicians are squabbling amongst themselves – at least one is demanding a bigger piece of the revenue pie and another is showing indifference to the major issues involved – typically this approach is called the “Canadian Way”. Right from the start Premier Redford has asked for a “national” energy strategy and for that vision I congratulate Premier Redford, she is on the right track. On the other hand, Premier Christy Clark of British Columbia is demanding a share of Alberta’s royalty revenue (to her, if the money doesn’t come from Alberta then it will have to come from Ottawa) – some have called Ms Clark’s approach to be blackmail. I discount Premier Clark’s argument, to me her statements are largely a ploy to win power in next year’s provincial election in BC. The Prime Minister seems to be quite indifferent to the issues surrounding the pipeline debate – it’s like the decision to build the pipeline has already been made in Ottawa with only a few bureaucratic hoops to be overcome. Initially, Mr. Harper didn’t want to get involved in the squabble between Alberta and British Columbia, he seemed to view it as a tiff between two unruly children, he being the senior. More recently, the Prime Minister indicated that the decision on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline would be based on the “science” and not on the politics – in my view it’s all about politics. No question in my mind; Premier Redford has got it right in asking for a nation building, “national energy strategy” and Prime Minister Steven Harper has got the responsibility to develop such a strategy. The first step for the Prime Minister, call for a First Ministers Conference on how Canada will become a responsible energy superpower. Alberta Health Services Debacle Alberta’s “expense account” scandal has blossomed into a monster of a problem for Premier Redford and Health Minister Horne and they had best deal with the problem quickly or suffer both short and long term consequences. What started out as a very serious bureaucratic problem; where chief financial officer, Allaudin Merali (with the possible help of a board member) milked the health system for a couple of million dollars between 2003 and 2008 when he was with the Edmonton Health Authority – very serious yes, possible contravention of the law, possibly and should any proven fraudster or any other related culprits be thrown in jail, no question! More information is coming to light on the whole issue of compensation, pensions and surprise, surprise there are even supplementary pensions in Alberta’s healthcare system. The press now confirms that Mr. Merali not only was given a million dollar severance package in 2008, he was given a generous regular pension and are now told was given a supplementary pension of $1.6 million over a ten year period. What is bizarre, Mr. Merali was re-hired by Alberta Health Services earlier this year (after he was fired by Ontario’s health authority) and only recently resigned after his extravagant expense spending was exposed. What is even more bizarre is that the outrageous compensation package offered to Mr. Merali seems to have been carried on and offered to about 50 executives within the province wide Alberta Health Services. Just looking at the “supplementary” pensions (that’s over and above regular salary and regular pensions); President and CEO, Chris Engle will receive $1.4 million; Executive Vice-president David Megrau will receive $783,000 and too many more to list – no question, something is “rotten in the state of” Alberta Health Services. To this point in time I will not accuse Premier Redford (nor Health Minister Fred Horne) for being complicit in this monster of a problem (I still think it is a massive, out of control bureaucratic problem); nevertheless, they both are responsible for the monster and will have to address the problem – they had better do it quickly; otherwise, they will be accused of a cover-up – the only course of action is a full blown inquiry.