My Election Platform for Edmonton - Mill Woods

Sue Huff is one of my inspirations to put my name forward as a candidate for the Alberta Party for Edmonton - Mill Woods.  Her platform was genuine and honest and has inspired me to adopt it just as other Alberta Party Candidates have already done.  

Please note, that I will not make any promises about how I will give back a portion of my MLA salary that is tax free to charity as voters in Edmonton - Mill Woods have lost faith in any politician who would make such claims.  I do support the idea that all MLA's Salaries be taxed fully and would work hard to ensure that they are.

As your MLA, I will: 

Listen and Connect

The Promise: I will actively engage in listening and establish two-way dialogue with my constituents to ensure that I am their best possible representative. I will adhere to the Alberta Party's MLA guidelines for conduct, which clearly state my obligations to do politics differently.

How: I will connect and build relationships through a variety of means.  I will facilitate regular Big Listens in my constituency to have meaningful conversations about the pressures facing my constituents and their hopes for this province. I will also bring the work of the Legislature to the people.  Constituents will identify their areas of interest so they can be notified when these issues come before the Legislature. I will ask for input from my constituents on these matters and will use this valuable input to guide and inform my work as their MLA. I will report back on the outcomes of debates and supply information on how I voted and why.

Be Accountable

The Promise: An independent Citizens’ Panel will conduct a yearly review of my performance as your MLA.

Who is on the Panel:  Through a variety of means, notices would be posted seeking volunteers to sit on this panel. The selection of the panelists would be fair, transparent and inclusive. The panel would be made up of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 participants. The term would be for one year, renewable for a maximum of three years.

Panel's Duties:  The panel will review my promises and track my progress each year that I am in office. It would provide constructive feedback on how I can improve my work as the voice for the community. As this is a brand new idea, the panel would also be charged with making suggestions on how the review process could be improved.

Open to the Public: The panel would solicit input from constituents to inform their review and the public would be invited to attend and observe the yearly review.

Why not just use Recall? Some parties are suggesting recall as a method of creating accountability; however, I see it as a blunt-edged tool that has a number of limitations. It does not build relationships; it does not build trust or confidence between the politician and the public; there is no dialogue and no understanding. It also requires thousands of signatures, which may be very difficult and time-consuming to obtain, creating further anger and disillusionment. Ultimately, I see recall as a tool based on punishment, fear and anger. The Citizens’ Panel will be based on mutual respect, understanding and the desire for constant improvement.

Panel's Limitations: The panel would not have the authority to fire me, as that right ultimately lies with all the constituents, not just a small panel. If the panel is working well, being fair and constructive, it should never come to this.

Be a Strong Voice

The Promise: I will always stand up and speak out on issues that matter to my community.  I will champion better healthcare outcomes, schools as community hubs, local businesses, improved quality of life for all Albertans and more integrity in politics.

Unique Alberta Party Benefit:  I am not hampered by a party that demands unanimous and quiet obedience.  I am free to vote according to my community’s values and views.  On occasion, this might mean that I would vote differently from my fellow Alberta Party MLA's.  This disagreement is not seen as disloyalty, because I am expected to serve my community first and my party second.

Be Constructive

The Promise:  I will support good ideas no matter where they come from. I will be constructive in my criticism and I will always remember that my most important job is serving Albertans.

Proof: The Alberta Party has supported the New Democrats’ call for an end to deregulation of the utilities, the Wildrose Party’s stance on the undemocratic elements of the land use bills, and the Liberal Party’s call for increased transparency in our government. We have also supported the Premier’s decision to reinstate education funding, increase the funding for AISH recipients and provide stable, predictable funding to school boards. I am not afraid to acknowledge a good idea when one is presented, and will offer constructive suggestions on how to improve ideas that do not reflect what Albertans want.

Why: It’s time for a new approach to politics. Us vs. Them politics may make good headlines, but it is not working for Albertans. It turns people off and turns people away from politics.  Politics needs to become more creative, more innovative, more intelligent and more cooperative.