MLA report January 29

Hello Chestermere
It has been a very busy, very interesting week.  We are (finally!) finishing the Christmas turkey soup, putting away the Christmas decorations and hauling out the Valentines.  This province is going to need all the love it can get as we head into some stormy seas.  The Mayor of Montreal spoke out against the Energy East Pipeline.  Did you know that Energy East could grow our national GDP by $55 billion?  This means jobs, and independence from foreign oil.  Quebec has received 74 billion in equalization payments from Alberta and other energy producing provinces in the last 11 years.  The Mayor of Montreal stated that he felt Energy East was a threat to the environment.  However he has no problem with dumping 8 billion litres of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence. Quebec buys full price oil from foreign dictatorships and we have to sell our oil at a discount to the U.S.  Tankers bring foreign oil in and out of the St Lawrence, and yet the Prime Minister wants to ban tankers in BC stopping us from exporting our commodities overseas.  We are “landlocked and tax shocked”, and the Premier just smiles and shrugs.  It’s time to stand up Alberta.   Albertans are our finest resource. We must impress upon our government the need to cut spending and help ease the volatility of oil prices.  Our small businesses are losing confidence in the government and we see more and more businesses directly impacted by increased taxes, lack of access to market for our resources and lack of support from our Government.  Write to us and let us know how this is impacting you.  We need to send your stories to our government.  We need government to help enhance and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit through lowering taxes, and creating a competitive environment. We were inspired to meet Amber Ruddy today from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and she very accurately stated that we need to “dispel the myths of the benefits of an increased minimum wage.” Increased minimum wage leads to increases in prices and puts a hold on future hiring. The government seems to think they can tax their way to prosperity. We say cut taxes and put the money into the pockets of the people, especially right now.  
On a positive note we would like to shout out to Vicki Klinger and Gillian Parmar at the CRCA for the first “Special Needs Drop In” evening.  It was extremely well attended by advocates, parents, RCMP, volunteers, and of course the kids. There were spirited and informative round table discussions to pinpoint what Chestermere needs to provide for their special needs kids and adults.  We will make the results available.  We hope you will be able to attend our Light it up Blue fundraiser for Autism Alberta and Inclusion Alberta on April 2 in Delacour.  Please check out facebook.com/LightItUpBlueInDelacour and sign up for the Chili contest.  You can enter your team for $150 and earn the coveted title of The Best Chili in Chestermere-Rocky View. As always, we love to hear from you.