A Made-in-Alberta Agenda

Liberal Party of Canada in Alberta

…Work
ing for a
strong Alberta in a strong Canada

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Contents
Message from Anne McLellan ...................... 2 Cities and communities .............................. 15

Alberta’s many voices ................................... 3 Aboriginal agenda ...................................... 16

The strongest fiscal record ........................... 4 Protecting health care ................................ 17

Tax relief for Canadians ................................ 5 Senate reform ............................................. 18

Innovation ..................................................... 6 Immigration: a Canadian asset ................... 19

Enhancing Alberta’s productivity ................. 7 Child care and early learning ..................... 20

Our place in North America .......................... 8 Addressing poverty ..................................... 21

Securing world markets ................................ 9 Agriculture .................................................. 22

Environmental stewardship ........................ 10 Arts and culture .......................................... 23

Post secondary education ........................... 11 Canada and the world ................................ 24

Ethics ........................................................... 12 Contact Us ................................................... 25

Accountability ............................................. 13 Your Liberal Candidates .............................. 26

Public safety ................................................ 14

 A MESSAGE FROM ANNE MCLELLAN
Member of Parliament
Edmonton Centre

On behalf of my fellow Liberal candidates, it is my pleasure to provide

opening comments for our Made-in-Alberta Agenda.

Since the last election, members of our party have been engaged in a
process of active consultations and dialogue with Albertans from every
corner of the province.

The Made-in-Alberta Agenda is the result. It touches on many of the

themes you have told us are important to you as individuals and to
our province in strategic and practical terms. We believe that you will
recognize most of the themes because they are ones that you have
consistently raised in our discussions in neighbourhood halls,
conference rooms, living rooms and at workplaces all across Alberta.

Please take some time to evaluate our positions on these important

issues. Your Liberal candidates will stand behind these commitments
and work actively to earn the confidence of your vote.

Sincerely yours,

Anne McLellan

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Alberta’s many voices

ALBERTANS SPEAK WITH MANY VOICES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS AND ISSUES.

Albertans are proud Canadians with high expectations skilled doctors and nurses. We value post secondary
of our governments. Economic success has fueled our education and believe Albertans should aspire to be
desire to enhance our role on the national stage. We the best educated people in the country.
have bold dreams for the future of Canada. We are
Albertans realize oilsands developments are creating
confident in Alberta’s place in Canada and our ability
a big demand for workers and that our Canadian
to lead in business, international trade, academia,
workforce must be mobile to meet these needs.
social affairs and environmental preservation. Our
Albertans are optimistic and ready to drive the
Aboriginal communities are striving to achieve higher
Canadian economy and provide leadership on issues
levels of education, productivity and enhanced
like the MacKenzie Pipeline mega project and future
standards of living. Our Francophone minority has
energy sector growth. Albertans also believe that our
made contributions to the fabric of Alberta since the
farmers and ranchers produce the most wholesome
first days of settlement and continues to add much to
and high-quality products in the world.
the cultural richness of our province. Generations of
immigration have made Alberta a vibrant community Albertans believe that when a province like Alberta
of diverse nationalities. does well, the entire country benefits and that there is
no room for envy in the Canadian family.
Our cities and communities are the lifeblood of
our province and we have big plans for the places
and spaces in which we live and work. Albertans
value a publicly funded health care system and our
priorities are progress on waiting times and access to

Your Liberal candidates share your hopes and dreams. This Made-in-Alberta Agenda
represents your expressed priorities for our province and for our country, Canada.

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 The strongest fiscal record in the G-8
ALBERTANS EXPECT OUR GOVERNMENT TO
MANAGE OUR AFFAIRS IN A PRUDENT AND EFFICIENT MANNER.
Under the leadership of Paul Martin, Canada has set • Our balanced fiscal approach has allowed our
a high standard for the rest of the world. We have economy to boom. Interest rates are at all time
turned our backs on deficits and deficit financing and lows, unemployment is at its lowest level in
are now enjoying the benefits of this careful planning. 30 years. In Alberta, we are approaching full
employment, with a provincial unemployment rate
Here are the highlights:
of just under 4 per cent.
• Canada has not been in deficit since 1997, when
• Since 1993 more than 3 million new jobs have
Paul Martin made tough and forward-thinking
been created and there are more to come.
decisions on behalf of Canadians…that’s 8
consecutive years. • We have created the Unanticipated Surplus Act
to ensure that Canada invests in a balanced way
• Our careful fiscal planning has enabled us to pay
by committing all surpluses over our $3 billion
more than $60 billion toward the national debt.
contingency reserve to be spent equally on paying
• That amounts to $3 billion in savings every year in down the national debt, reducing taxes and
interest payments, which has allowed for further investing in social programs.
investments in tax relief and other priorities like
health care and education.

Your Liberal candidates will pursue a balanced fiscal approach

and a bright economic future for all Canadians.

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 Tax relief for Canadians
ALBERTANS KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO WORK HARD FOR
A LIVING AND WANT TO SEE THE FULL REWARDS OF OUR EFFORTS.
Here’s our government’s record on tax relief to date:
• The largest single tax reduction measure in
Canadian history put $100 billion back into
the pockets of hardworking Canadians from
2000-2005.
• $22 billion more in tax reduction measures
announced in the Spring of 2005.
• $30 billion in personal and corporate tax relief over
the next five years unveiled in November 2005.
Our plan:
• Targets regular Canadians, with 95 per cent of
reductions going directly to individual Canadians.
• Raises the basic personal exemption level for all
Canadians by $500, retroactive to January 1st, 2005.
• Reduces the lowest personal income tax rate from
16 % to 15 %, retroactive to January 1, 2005.
• Introduces a Working Income Tax Benefit to reduce
employment barriers faced by low-income
Canadians by 2008.
Your Liberal candidates will continue to fight for tax relief for Albertans.
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We will ensure that modest income families and
seniors get some relief from high energy costs this
winter. We proposed a rebate this fall that was slated
to go to more than 3 million low-income seniors and
low-income families with children. We stand by that
promise. Under our proposal:
• Families entitled to the National Child Benefit (NCB)
supplement and senior couples receiving the
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) in January of
2006 will receive a rebate of $250.
• Single seniors entitled to the GIS will receive $125.
In November 2005 we addressed concerns about
the future of Income Trusts. Although the tax
treatment on Income Trust will not be changed,
the total tax on dividends paid by large Canadian
corporations will be decreased to be more competitive
with taxes paid on distributions of income trusts.
Double taxation of dividends at the federal level will
also be eliminated. Our actions will bring certainty
to investments and stabilize the retirement savings
of many seniors in Alberta.
 Innovation
ALBERTANS KNOW THAT INNOVATION IS
CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY.
Our government has enhanced Canada’s innovation
capacity, investing $13 billion in university and
health research capabilities. Agencies like the Canada
Foundation for Innovation, the Canada Research Chairs
program, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
and Genome Canada, as well as increased funding for
the National Research Council and the Natural Sciences
and Engineering Research Council, have positioned
Canada to succeed in the future.
Examples include:
• The National Institute for Nanotechnology in
Edmonton is pushing the boundaries of technology
and will position Canada to be a leader in what is
predicted to be the next industrial revolution.
• The Edmonton Protocol for Diabetes developed at
the University of Alberta is a major international
breakthrough in finding a cure for diabetes.
We will continue to advocate for support
for internationally recognized Alberta
researchers including:
• A $12 million investment in Genome Alberta
to be located in Calgary.
• Canada’s School of Sustainable Energy, a joint
project between the Universities of Lethbridge,
Calgary and Alberta.
• Building on Edmonton’s clusters strategy to
develop synergies so our province becomes a
hightech hub for Canada.
Albertans embrace the challenge of taking an idea
from the lab to the market. As a result, Western
Economic Diversification has made innovation
and commercialization of technology a high priority.
Examples of successful partnerships include
TEC Edmonton, Calgary Technologies Inc. and
CETAC-WEST.

Your Liberal candidates will work for further investments for our universities and colleges.

Your Liberal candidates believe Alberta can create a fertile and supportive environment
for our researchers so that we can push the boundaries of knowledge from right here in Alberta.

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 Enhancing Alberta’s productivity
ALBERTANS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE
OF BEING AHEAD OF THE NEXT ECONOMIC WAVE.
The entrepreneurs who are developing the oilsands
didn’t wait for someone to tell them they had a sure
thing. They got ahead of the curve and made the
necessary investments. When only a few Albertans
believed in the promise of the oilsands, Anne McLellan
and the Liberal government saw the value of working
with the province and the private sector.
As a result, a new federal tax regime was created
in 1996 for open pit and in-situ mining (oilsands).
This program has helped generate over $35 billion
in private-sector investments to date, with close to $45
billion in new projects expected between now and 2010.
Today, Albertans are ready to catch the next wave.
Increasing our productivity in the 21st century will be
the key to Canada’s and Alberta’s success. In particular,
we need to ensure our labour supply keeps pace with
our record economic growth.
Your Liberal candidates will ensure that Alberta
takes a leadership role in increasing our productivity.
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Here are our commitments to ensuring
Alberta’s future productivity:
• Promoting literacy in either official language as an
essential building block for a productive and happy life.
• Ensuring accessible post-secondary education
opportunities for all Canadians regardless of
income bracket.
• Investing in apprenticeship training and actively recruiting
young Canadians to fill anticipated skills shortages.
• Developing a plan to draw on the experience and
expertise of older workers who might otherwise retire.
• Promoting apprenticeships and post-secondary education
in Aboriginal communities for Aboriginal youth.
• Enhancing labour mobility within Canada.
• Investing in apprenticeship programs at Northern Alberta
Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton.
• Supporting Alberta’s small and medium-sized
entrepreneurs and encouraging women entrepreneurs.
• Working towards locating a new federal Office of Small
and Medium Enterprises (OSME) in Alberta.
• Continuing progress on the accreditation of foreign-
trained professionals and trades people already in Canada.
• Recruiting skilled new Canadians and enhancing labour
force participation for immigrant women.
 Our place in North America
ALBERTANS VALUE AND RELY ON STRONG SOCIAL,
ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL TIES WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS TO THE SOUTH.
Canada and the United States are engaged actively Already, the Coutts – Sweet Grass Montana border
together on many issues. In particular, we are crossing has received $60 million in upgrades through
cooperating closely on security, border and trade the Canada-United States Accord on Our Shared
issues. A concrete example is an agreement called the Border-Joint Facilities Initiative.
Security and Prosperity Partnership. This agreement
NAFTA has allowed Alberta and Canada an important
signed by Prime Minister Paul Martin, along with the
place in the North American marketplace. Challenges
President of the United States and the President of
like BSE and Softwood Lumber should not deter
Mexico, in March of 2005 will:
us from pursuing NAFTA as a crucial vehicle for
• Ensure the steady flow of goods, services and
Canadian trade. When trade issues have emerged, our
people across our common borders.
government has been there to assist with $2.6 billion
• Mean that Canada will be regarded as a close and for BSE aid and $1.5 billion for our forestry industry.
important partner in the security of North America.
• Secure our trading relationships in the future.

Your Liberal candidates will defend NAFTA as the building block of our country’s economic growth.

Your Liberal candidates believe Canada must act strategically and collaboratively with our
neighbours so that Albertan and Canadian trade and security interests mutually reinforce each other.

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 Securing world markets for Alberta products
ALBERTANS UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF DIVERSIFIED
INTERNATIONAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES.
We are committed to strengthening Canada’s position
as a global trading nation. Our key priority is the
Pacific Gateway Strategy, a multi-faceted approach to
enhancing Canada’s trade opportunities in the Asia-
Pacific region.
The Pacific Gateway Strategy is of crucial importance
to Alberta. Strengthening our gateways to growing
world markets is key to increasing exports, diversifying
our trade relationships and attracting investments
from abroad.

To improve our strategic positioning with the Alberta needs to position itself actively for
Asia-Pacific region, we will invest: investments in better rail links and safer and more
• $190 million immediately to enhance port, border, efficient highways through the Rocky Mountains,
highway and rail infrastructure. and for further development of containerization
depots to facilitate the movement of goods to and
• $400 million for future infrastructure investments
from Asia-Pacific markets.
along the gateway.
• In our diplomatic and trading relationships with
the Asia-Pacific region by establishing trade consul
positions in specific countries across the
Asia-Pacific region.

Your Liberal candidates will fight for our share of the Pacific Gateway funding.

Your Liberal candidates will promote Alberta as a province with important

international trade interests and will continue Canada’s tradition of advocating
for fair, rules-based international trading systems.

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 Environmental stewardship
ALBERTANS KNOW WELL-BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE DEPEND NOT JUST ON ECONOMIC
PROSPERITY, BUT ALSO ON THE QUALITY AND HEALTH OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT.
Project Green is a multi-billion dollar package to • $886 million for the Renewable Power Production
support a sustainable environment. Incentive to stimulate renewable energy electricity
capacity over the next 15 year.
Major components include:
• $118 million Ethanol Expansion Program to
• An Action Plan on climate change aimed at
promote ethanol production for use in gasoline.
engaging Canadians in greenhouse gas emission
reductions through initiatives like the One Tonne • Co2 sequestration through enhanced
Challenge and the Energuide for Houses Program. oil-recovery techniques.

• $1 billion for the Climate Fund Agency to allow • Clean coal technologies.
businesses and consumers to invest in innovative,
In Alberta, water scarcity will be one of the
environmentally based products to lower
great challenges of the future:
greenhouse gas emissions and to promote greater
• We will work with industry and academia to
partnerships with business and industry to protect
find solutions by funding water research at the
our environment.
University of Lethbridge and dedicating our full
• $2-3 billion over 10 years for the Climate Change attention to jurisdictional issues relating to water.
Partnership to facilitate work between the federal
government and provinces. Albertans have a special connection to our world
class National Parks:
Alberta is a leader in alternative energy
• We are committed to a National Parks system
technologies and the federal government has
that preserves Alberta’s special places and ensures
been a partner in developing:
accessibility for all.
• $920 million for the Wind Power Production Incentive
over the next 15 years.

Your Liberal candidates are committed to a progressive and sustainable environmental policy.

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 Post secondary education
ALBERTANS BELIEVE THAT POST SECONDARY EDUCATION IS
THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN TOMORROW’S KNOWLEDGE-BASED ECONOMY.
We are committed to making the necessary
investments in the potential of every Albertan to
ensure that our province is well positioned for success
in the 21st century. For example, from 2000-2004,
the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation has
distributed $134.4 million in bursaries and awards
in Alberta.
On November 14, 2005 our government
committed to making post secondary education
more accessible to all Albertans and Canadians with
the following measures:
• $2.2 billion over five years to improve student
financial assistance and help make post-secondary
education more affordable for lower and
middle-income Canadians.
• $550 million over five years to extend Canada
Access Grants to 55,000 students from low-income
families in all years of undergraduate education.
• $3.5 billion over this year and the next five years
to increase workplace-based apprenticeships and
skills training, and to enhance the participation of
Aboriginal peoples, immigrants and persons with
disabilities in the Canadian economy.
• $1 billion in 2005-06 for provinces and territories
for the Post Secondary Education Innovation Fund
to help Canada’s universities and colleges keep up
with the demands of increasing enrolment, aging
infrastructure and new learning technologies.
We believe rural youth should have access to post
secondary education at either the university or
vocational school level and we will work to ensure
that distance learning is a focus in the future.

Your Liberal candidates will work to increase investments in post secondary education
and create even more opportunity for Alberta youth in the future.

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 Ethics
ALBERTANS EXPECT OUR GOVERNMENT TO
OPERATE ACCORDANCE WITH THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS.
Like you, we were all dismayed and disappointed Based on Gomery Phase I report, Prime Minister Paul
with the conduct of certain individuals linked to the Martin directed the Liberal Party of Canada to repay
Sponsorship Program. We fully support the measures $1.14 million to the Government of Canada.
implemented by Prime Minister Paul Martin over the
We support the work of Justice Gomery who said in his
last two years, including:
first report “Mr. Martin, whose role as Finance Minister
• Cancelling the Sponsorship Program on his first
did not involve him in the supervision of spending by the
day in office.
PMO or PWGSC, is entitled, like other Ministers in the
• Creating an independent public inquiry to examine Quebec caucus, to be exonerated from any blame for
the Sponsorship Program with a broad mandate carelessness or misconduct.” p. 430
to report on the facts of the case and to draw
independent conclusions (The Gomery Inquiry).
• Launching a civil suit to recover funds $57 million
on behalf of the Government of Canada.
• Referring Justice Gomery’s Phase I report
to the R.C.M.P.
• Adding the names of 12 more people to the civil
suit based on Justice Gomery’s Phase I findings.

Your Liberal candidates commit to demonstrate the highest standard of honesty,

integrity and openness. Albertans and Canadians deserve nothing less.

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 Accountability
ALBERTANS DEMAND THAT GOVERNMENT ACT IN
A TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
In his Phase I report, Justice Gomery reminds us that • New “Whistleblower” Legislation to protect public
“Canadians should not forget that the vast majority of servants who wish to disclose inappropriate activity.
our public officials and politicians do their work honestly, • A new merit-based system for appointments to
diligently and effectively.” p. xxi federal boards and commissions.
We know that public servants are dedicated to • The creation of the position of Comptroller General
their work and are deserving of our respect and and the implementation of strict new controls on
appreciation. Prime Minister Paul Martin, following the departmental spending through the creation of
cancellation of the Sponsorship Program, acted quickly internal departmental comptrollers.
to raise the bar on transparency and accountability in • Improved management systems for
government, including: Crown Corporations.
• An independent ethics commissioner who reports
directly to Parliament. We will also work to ensure all federal public service
jobs are accessible to Alberta residents and to give
• A new Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code
MPs the support they need to hold government
for Public Office Holders.
to account.
• Public disclosure of expenses in full by Ministers
and their staff on an easily accessible website.
• A more effective and complete registry for
individuals who lobby the federal government
and increased powers of enforcement for the
Lobbyist’s Registrar.

Your Liberal candidates are committed to a government

that works in the best interest of all Canadians.

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 Public safety
ALBERTANS VALUE STABLE, SAFE AND LAW-ABIDING COMMUNITIES.
We have heard your concerns and are prepared to address
persistent problems, particularly in our cities. The statistics
say that crime rates over the last 10 years are on a downward
trend across Alberta in most categories. However, there are
still problem areas that we are committed to addressing by:
• Working with provincial counterparts to ensure
policing needs in Alberta are met in a timely fashion.
• Developing a strategy with our provincial partners to
address long-term chronic offenders so we prevent
events like the tragedy that occurred in Mayerthorpe,
Alberta in March of 2005.
• Doubling mandatory minimum sentences for key gun
crimes; creating RCMP Enforcement Teams to combat
illegal drugs, guns and orgranized crime; and creating a
$50 million Rural Community Safety Plan, based on the
RCMP’s crime prevention program in Alberta.
• Enhancing border resources to prevent the entry of guns
and other contraband from foreign jurisdictions.
• Improving our strategy and approach to illegal
marijuana grow-ops.
• Tightening parole eligibility for individuals convicted of
sexual offences, terrorist crimes and organized crime.
Your Liberal candidates are committed to a safe
and secure Alberta where no one lives in fear of crime.
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• Preventing courts from using conditional sentences for
terrorist, sexual and other morally reprehensible offences.
• Continuing our work in cooperation with the provinces
to enhance the National Sex Offender Registry which
was created in 2004 and the DNA Databank which was
established in 2000.
• Enhancing Canada’s National Drug Strategy to combat
the scourge of Crystal Meth use among our youth.
• Continuing our commitment to the National Victims’
Office to better address the needs of victims of crime.
• Developing a DNA Missing Persons Index as a law
enforcement tool and to bring closure for victims families.
The National Crime Prevention Strategy will have a new $50
million cash infusion to better address the root causes of
crime and victimization. Since 1998, the National Strategy has
supported 385 projects in Alberta, with investments totalling
approximately $18,291,605.00. In 2005, the National Crime
Prevention Program invested in:
• Developing youth leadership and street outreach
programs for urban Aboriginals with a focus on gangs.
• Working with women and children survivors
of domestic violence.
• Developing Anti-Bullying and Mentorship
programs for youth.
 Cities and communities
ALBERTANS BELIEVE THAT OUR CITIES AND
COMMUNITIES ARE THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN CANADA.
Alberta’s cities and towns are some of the fastest- • $50 million for the twinning of the Trans-Canada
growing communities in the country. With growth Highway through Banff National Park.
comes increased demands on infrastructure, including
We support a new vision for urban renewal. The
public transportation, roads and community facilities.
Rivers Project in downtown Calgary is part of that
Our government delivered the New Deal for Cities and new vision.
Communities, which will allow our communities to
We also support Edmonton’s bid for the 2011 World
thrive. Major highlights of this plan includes:
University Games.
• Sharing of 5 cents per litre of the 10 cent per litre
federal gas tax with all Alberta municipalities. As We are committed to working with the province and
a result, Alberta communities will receive rural municipalities to improve Alberta’s waste water
$477 million over the next five years. and road infrastructure.
• Returning 100% of municipal GST payments.

In Alberta, the Liberal government has made

further commitments including:
• $88 million in the Municipal Rural
Infrastructure Fund.
• $80 million to refurbish public transit.
• $150 million for the Edmonton and Calgary
ring roads.

Your Liberal candidates will promote investments in our cities and

communities that enhance our quality of life, improve the competitiveness
of business and help meet Alberta’s future environmental challenges.

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 Aboriginal agenda
ALBERTA IS THE HOME OF A DIVERSE
AND GROWING POPULATION OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES.
The traditions and culture of our Aboriginal peoples • A Truth and Reconciliation Process
are an essential link to our past and will play a – to promote awareness of the harm
prominent role in Alberta’s future. caused by the Residential School system.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Paul Martin, • Healing and Commemoration
an historic $5 billion agreement over 5 years was – National events, projects and memorials as
signed in November 2005 with Métis, Inuit and well as a special endowment to the Aboriginal
First Nations leaders and the Premiers to provide Healing Foundation.
Aboriginal Canadians with improved standards of We are prepared to work with Aboriginal communities
health, education, housing, water and to enhance literacy and training so that they
economic development. contribute actively to Alberta’s work force in the
In addition, Anne McLellan has helped develop a professions, business and the skilled trades.
lasting resolution to the Indian Residential Schools
tragedy which includes:
• Common Experience Payments
– $10,000 lump sum payment plus $3,000
per each year in Residential Schools.
• Independent Assessment Process
– A special process to adjudicate cases of
sexual or serious physical abuse.

Your Liberal candidates will work with Aboriginal leaders

to ensure our First Peoples take their rightful place in Canadian society.

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 Protecting Canadian health care
ALBERTANS VALUE AND EXPECT MODERN,
ACCESSIBLE, HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR ALL.
In September 2004, our government committed
$41.3 billion dollars in new health care funding
over the next 10 years.
• $4.2 billion of this commitment will go to
improve health care in Alberta.
• $559 million is committed to reducing waiting
lists in Alberta with a focus on cancer treatment,
heart surgery, MRI technology, hip and joint
replacements and cataract surgery.
Other investments include:
• 571 health research grants worth $222 million to
Alberta universities through various funding bodies.
• $66.3 million for Alberta health research in 2005
through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
We will also work toward:
• Addressing the difficulties in having
foreign medical credentials recognized.
• Continuing the federal government’s $263
million Internationally Trained Workers Initiative.
• Building on our $5.53 million commitment to
improve working conditions for nurses.
• Enhancing our $300 million commitment to
the Integrated Strategy on Healthy Living
and Chronic Disease.
• Developing preventive health and
wellness programs.
• Improving catastrophic drug coverage as part
of the National Pharmaceutical Strategy which is
particularly important for Alberta seniors.
• Continuing investments in Health Infoways and
electronic patient records.

Your Liberal candidates are committed to a publicly funded, single-payer health

care system based on the 5 principles of the Canada Health Act…
Comprehensive, Portable, Publicly Administered, Universal and Accessible.

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 Senate reform
ALBERTANS BELIEVE PARLIAMENT SHOULD BE
DEMOCRATIC, RESPONSIVE, ACCOUNTABLE AND MODERN.
We also believe it is time for changes to Parliament’s Our government has encouraged the Council of the
Upper Chamber. Federation and the Premiers to take up the challenge
of Senate reform and to come forward with a
Real Senate reform requires changes to our
comprehensive proposal that will address the needs
Constitution, which requires formal ratification by
of Canadians for generations to come. Prime Minister
the provinces. The House of Commons and the
Paul Martin is on record as saying that he will discuss
Senate must also pass resolutions in support. These
any comprehensive proposal that has the support of
are difficult processes.
the provinces at a future First Ministers’ Meeting.
Canadians have been clear. Constitutional conferences
However, piecemeal changes will not lead to a Senate
are not a high priority. However, we believe it is time
in which Alberta is treated fairly.
for changes to Parliament’s Upper Chamber.

We are willing to bring ideas like proportional

representation to the debate and to facilitate a
process like British Columbia’s Citizens’ Assembly
on Electoral Reform as a potential process by which
a national dialogue and debate on Senate reform
could be advanced.

Your Liberal candidates will continue to push for comprehensive Senate Reform.

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 Immigration: a Canadian asset
ALBERTANS KNOW IMMIGRATION BRINGS MANY ECONOMIC
AND CULTURAL BENEFITS TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
Alberta is the 4th largest destination for immigrants
in Canada. We know that if our province is to meet
its full potential we will need more new Canadians
to settle in Alberta’s communities. Demands for new
workers are growing and immigration is an important
part of the solution.
As a result,our government announced new
investments of $700 million over the next 5 years
to better respond to the needs of people who wish
to become part of the Canadian family.
Our priorities include:
• Increasing the number of immigrants coming to
Canada and Alberta.
• Improving family reunification programs so that
families can be together faster.
• Increasing the number of immigrants Canada
attracts in the entrepreneurial class.
• Creating an In-Canada Class of immigrants
for people with Canadian work experience
(students and other workers).
• Enhancing settlement services so new Canadians
can make a smooth transition into the workforce.
• Increasing resources for English or French-as-a-
Second-Language training.
• Providing opportunities for new Canadians who
wish to upgrade their literacy and educational skills,
learn a trade or further their education.
• Maintaining a fair and expeditious refugee
determination system.
We value the legacy that generations of immigrants
have brought to Alberta and Canada. Our government
is sensitive to the concerns some communities have
expressed around marginalization and exclusion. We
must do more to understand these feelings and work
with communities to develop strategies and more
sensitive approaches so all members of the Canadian
family feel like they belong.

Your Liberal candidates will work to attract more newcomers to Alberta by

convincing them that our province is the best place to live in Canada.

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 Child care and early learning
ALBERTANS DEMAND THE BEST STANDARDS OF CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN,
ESPECIALLY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.
In July of 2005, Canada and Alberta signed a landmark
agreement that will bring $488.1 million over the
next 5 years to Alberta to open more placements in
regulated child care, so that our children get the best
possible start in life.
Did you know?
• 84 per cent of parents with children both
work outside the home.
• Only 1 in 5 of those children are in regulated
child-care centres.
• Investing in early child development in the 0-6
age group is more effective than any other kind
of social or educational investment when it
comes to future success.
Your Liberal candidates believe our children are our most
precious asset and we need to ensure they get the best possible start in life.
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The following principles will guide the agreement:
• Quality
– provincial regulation and monitoring, and a
professionally trained staff in adequate numbers.
• Universally Inclusive
– care that is open and responsive to children of
various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Accessible
– care is to be broadly available and affordable to
children and parents.
• Developmental
– care that supports social, emotional, physical and
cognitive development and parental involvement.
Our government will be committed to promoting
early childhood learning and to ensuring that all
Alberta families have access to and their choice of
programs in either official language that help our
children develop the social, cognitive and
pre-literacy skills they need to grow into healthy,
happy and productive adults.
 Addressing poverty
ALBERTANS BELIEVE THAT WE MUST ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS
LEFT BEHIND AND THAT EVERY CITIZEN HAS BASIC SHELTER AND FOOD.
Alberta is fortunate to lead the country in Since 1999, Alberta has received $98.4 million
economic growth and to have the second-highest that has supported 235 projects and has provided
GDP per capita in the world. We need to ensure that 2396 emergency, transitional and supportive beds.
all Albertans benefit from this good fortune. In addition, the Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation has made strategic investments for
Alberta has also been a Canadian leader in
affordable housing units across the province totalling
developing a model to address homelessness. In
a further $131.5 million.
partnership with all orders of government and the
private sector, the Alberta funding model is now the Many of these investments have been for assisted
foundation of the National Homelessness Initiative housing for seniors, people with mental health issues
that was created in 1999 and renewed several times. and the disabled who now have a safe and supportive
Here are some highlights: environment in which to live.
• $134.8 million in November 2005 for the National
We will continue our commitment of addressing the
Homelessness Initiative (NHI) focussing on building
root causes of poverty by promoting literacy, prenatal
individual and community capacity to reduce the
health, mental health service systems, supportive and
risk of homelessness.
non-violent families and early-intervention programs.
• $405 million in extended NHI funding in 2004
with a focus on transitional housing.
• $753 million to establish the NHI in 1999 with
a focus on emergency shelter.

Your Liberal candidates will honour our obligations to care for the least fortunate
members of our communities in a province that has so much to share.

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 Agriculture
ALBERTANS KNOW THAT OUR FARMERS AND
RANCHERS HAVE FACED SOME DIFFICULT TIMES RECENTLY.
Alberta farmers and ranchers are among the best
in the world. They are efficient, competitive and
produce high-quality crops, animals and feed.
Challenges like low commodity prices, uncertain
weather patterns and international trade disputes
impact on producers due to no fault of their own.
Investment priorities have included:
• $1.2 billion in relief for Grains and Oilseeds
producers announced in 2005.
• $1 billion Farm Income Payment Program to
address record low farm incomes in March 2005.
• $2.6 billion in assistance to cattle producers
suffering through border closures due to BSE
(Mad Cow Disease) since May 2003.
• Canada Agricultural Income Stabilization Program
to assist commodity producers affected by low farm
incomes and disasters as part of the $5.2 billion
Agricultural Policy Framework in 2003.
We recognize that our farmers and ranchers need
access to markets, international advocacy and a
strategy that goes beyond emergency assistance.
We are also committed to continuing our investments
Your Liberal candidates will work to enhance the long-term sustainability of agriculture in Alberta.
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in the commercialization and development of value-
added agriculture industries. We support and continue
to work for priorities such as:
• Increasing beef slaughter capacity to reduce
exposure to border closures to live animals.
• A renewal of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation
Administration, an organization that is committed
to rural land management, rural water and
resource conservation and capacity building in
rural prairie communities.
• A new meat safety processing research centre to
assist in the commercialization of research in areas
of meat safety and new meat products at the
University of Alberta.
• Olds College’s Centre for Innovation – to
promote and expand its microprocessing facility
to develop new technologies for nutraceuticals,
food processing and agri-food industries.
• Continued funding for AVAC Ltd. and
commercialization of early stage
value-added agricultural commodities.
• Facilitating cooperation between farmers to
reduce machinery costs.
 Arts and culture
ALBERTANS KNOW THAT ARTS AND CULTURE HELP
US UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE WANT TO BE.
Our government committed $930 million in Budget
2005 for a program called Tomorrow Starts Today.
This program will cultivate a vibrant, stable and
creative cultural life in communities across the
country reflecting Canada’s multicultural character
and promoting a diversity of views and cultural
expressions in either official language.
Commemorating Alberta’s Centennial
To celebrate Alberta’s 100th year in Confederation
our government contributed $54 million to legacy
projects across the province. This contribution funded
significant upgrades to the Royal Alberta Museum and
the Edmonton Art Gallery. Heritage Park in Calgary,
the “Mavericks” Gallery at Glenbow Museum, the
expansion of the Museum of the Regiments and
a special contribution to the Healing Gardens at
Alberta’s Children’s Hospital in Calgary were also
funded, as well as community celebrations across
the province.
Your Liberal candidates will work to enrich Alberta’s artistic and cultural
institutions and expression.
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Alberta Scene
Alberta’s artists from all disciplines took the national
stage in Ottawa for 2 weeks last spring for Alberta
Scene. National arts institutions like the Banff Centre
and Alberta Ballet gained widespread recognition from
these performances and have served notice that good
things are happening in Alberta. Our government was
proud to provide support.
Cultural Spaces
This program seeks to enhance the physical capacity
of communities to engage in cultural pursuits. Since
the inception of this program, communities like
Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, St. Albert, Grande Prairie,
Lloydminster, Peace River, Calgary and Edmonton
have received new cultural facilities. In fact, Alberta
has received more than its per capita share of funds
from this program.
Canada Council for the Arts
Our government is committed to doubling the
Canada Council’s budget from $151 million to over
$350 million per year.
 Canada and the world
ALBERTANS BELIEVE CANADA MUST PLAY A ROLE IN WORLD EVENTS
AND HELP RESPOND TO INTERNATIONAL CRISES.
Alberta has a strong tradition of support for the
Canadian Forces. We are home to CFB Edmonton,
Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, CFB Suffield and
CFB Wainwright.
Our government’s new International Policy Statement
strategically focuses all of our international resources,
including military capacities, police training capabilities,
civilian governance expertise and foreign aid specifically
toward failed and failing states. These states are often
breeding grounds for terrorist activity.
While we did not get involved in the War in Iraq, we
remain committed to contributing to a peaceful world
with interventions in Afghanistan in a peacekeeping
role. Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan visited
troops from Alberta serving in Khandahar, Afghanistan,
in September 2005. These men and women are serving
in dangerous circumstances to help build a stable and
democratic Afghanistan.
Your Liberal candidates support a properly resourced and
equipped Canadian military that promotes Canada’s interests abroad.
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Our government’s recent commitments to our
military have included:
• 5,000 new regular forces positions.
• 3,000 new reserve positions.
• $12.8 billion in new funding over 5 years for
equipment, salaries and training, the largest defence
increase in 20 years.
• $4.5 billion for a new tactical air lift fleet so the
Canadian Forces can responded quickly to
international emergencies.
Our government created The Canada Corps so that
regular Canadians can contribute to international efforts
in promoting democratic processes abroad. Our Mission
to Ukraine in December 2004 was an excellent example
of the impact the Canada Corps will have in the future.
The Canadian International Development Agency plays
a lead role in our international efforts, including
the responses to the Asian Tsunami and the recent
earthquake in Pakistan. CIDA’s non-disaster priorities
include increasing life expectancy, average incomes and
literacy rates as well as reducing child mortality rates in
developing nations.
 Contact us

LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA IN ALBERTA

#050, 10240-124 Street Please call for more information on

Edmonton, Alberta the candidate in your riding.
T5N 3W6
Toll free
#108, 5211 MacLeod Trail S 1-800-879-8294
Calgary, Alberta Or email
T2H 0J3
info@Liberalalberta.com

For an electronic version visit

www.liberalalberta.com

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 Your Liberal Candidates

Heesung Kim Matthew Moody Dobie To Jaswinder Johal Ted Haney

Calgary Centre Calgary Centre North Calgary East Calgary Northeast Calgary – Nose Hill

James Ludwar Mike Swanson Jennifer Pollock Adam Campbell Anne McLellan
Calgary Southeast Calgary Southwest Calgary West Crowfoot Edmonton Centre

Nicole Martel Jim Jacuta Amarjit Grewal Ron Symic

Edmonton East Edmonton – Leduc Edmonton Millwoods Edmonton – Sherwood Park
– Beaumont

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 Brad Enge Stanley Haroun Andy Hladyshevsky Mel Buffalo Michael Cormican
Edmonton - Spruce Grove Edmonton – St. Albert Edmonton – Strathcona Fort McMurray – Athabasca Lethbridge

Bernie Kennedy Bev Botter Tanya Kappo Luke Kurata Duff Stewart
Macleod Medicine Hat Peace River Red Deer Vegreville – Wainwright

Cory Ollikka Peter Crossley Judy Stewart Nancy Love

Westlock – St. Paul Wetaskiwin Wild Rose Yellowhead

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 January 23

Vote Liberal for

a strong Alberta
and a strong Canada!
 PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE

Alberta is a dynamic and growing part of Canada. After one hundred

years in the Canadian family, Alberta is assuming a greater and greater
role on the national stage. Its businesses are key contributors to our
strong national economy. Its communities are open and welcoming
to visitors from across the country and around the world. And its
people are representative of the diversity, tolerance and vitality that
characterizes this nation.

Alberta’s success is to be celebrated, not only by Albertans but by

all Canadians because a strong Alberta makes Canada stronger.

Thank you for your interest in this Made-in-Alberta Agenda. This

document is the result of consultations with many Albertans from
across the province and I want to thank them for their contributions.

Our Liberal Alberta team is looking forward to hearing your views

on the issues and themes outlined in the Agenda. I ask you to give
them your support.

Sincerely,

Paul Martin

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