Stelmach to focus on health, competitiveness

The government of Premier Ed Stelmach plans to bolster Alberta's competitiveness and health care during a new session of the legislature, which got underway Thursday with a throne speech.

Alberta also served notice it expects to be treated fairly by Ottawa.

The government said it wants to provide stable health-care funding with a new five-year plan and launch a new "vision" for education in the province. The Progressive Conservative government also wants to help curb crime by funding 100 new police officers.

In thethrone speech read by Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong, the governmentsaid Alberta wants to be treated as other provinces when it comes to federal transfers.

"Whenever Alberta receives less than other provinces for basic transfers, your government will work with the federal government to provide options to address that fiscal imbalance and close the gap," the speech said. "Equality is a matter of principle and basic fairness the very hallmark of our nation."

The thronespeech also commits Alberta to clean energy production, promising to improve environmental performance in the oilsands and to work toward the eventual elimination of tailings ponds.

The first bill ofthe session, the Alberta Competitiveness Act, would bring togetherinitiatives to grow Alberta export markets, foster value-added opportunities in agriculture and the agri-food industry and ensure the energy sector is vibrant and able to attract investment.

"Our government understands that competitiveness is about managing our spending and ensuring that regulation is effective and practical," Stelmach said after the speech. "But it's also about protecting our environment, and maintaining the services and quality of life Albertans deserve."

On health, the government promised to provide stable five-year funding to Alberta Health Services.

Highlights of the government's plans include:

• Adding 100 new officers to Alberta police forces.
• Introducing "a new vision for education".
• Using the Sustainability Fundformunicipalities, social programs, educational institutions and the health-care system.
• Funding research and technologyto reducethe environmental impact of the oilsands

Thelegislative agenda will be focused on the economy and passing the budget so Alberta can continue on the road to recovery, Government House Leader Dave Hancock said.

The opposition parties expressed skepticism. "The government did say that they want to improve competitiveness. My hope is that doesn't mean competitiveness to get the lowest standards in the country," said Liberal leader David Swann.

Alberta NDP leader Brian Mason described the speech as recycled. "This was one of the vaguest, frankly, boring throne speeches I've ever seen," said Mason, adding he hopes the government has a commitment to protect the environment.

Wildrose Alliance Party leader Danielle Smith commended the speech for recognizing the oilpatch. "I think that finally the recognition that the energy sector plays an important role in this province for our collective prosperity ... [is] a positive sign," she said. "The question will be are they going to be able to put the policies in place that will attract investment back to this province?"

The first regular day of work is next Monday, and opposition parties have raised concerns about the number of questions they will be allowed to ask government.

There are 83 members in the Alberta legislature 68 Progressive Conservatives, nine Liberals, three Wildrose Alliance, two New Democrats and one Independent.