"Alberta's Pension Predicament: National Concerns Over CPP and the Alberta Plan"
What will the future hold?
In Alberta, Canada, a series of pivotal developments has stirred significant discussion. The UCP government's surprising decision to replace the entire board of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity with a single administrator has left many questioning the motives behind this unprecedented move. Additionally, Alberta's proposal to establish its own pension plan has raised concerns about potential national repercussions. The province's ambitious renewable energy goals have sparked a heated debate, while the Siksika Nation's proactive climate action plan, involving the planting of shelterbelts, showcases a local response to environmental challenges. These topics reflect the evolving landscape of Alberta, with impacts reaching far beyond its borders.
UCP Government Remove Entire Banff Board.
The UCP government in Alberta, Canada, has removed the entire board of the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, replacing them with a single administrator. This move is similar to a previous decision where the government replaced directors of Alberta Health Services with a single administrator. While Premier Danielle Smith cited issues with AHS management, no specific reasons were provided for the Banff Centre board's dismissal. Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney, responsible for the center, mentioned a "refreshed future" as the goal.
The Banff Centre is renowned for its arts festivals and training programs but has faced leadership changes and budget challenges, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The center's revenue and provincial grants have decreased. The new administrator, oil executive Paul Baay, will review internal processes and policies. Banff Centre's CEO emphasized that this change is aimed at governance improvement and not financial or programmatic matters. Paul Baay had previously settled a securities law breach and is associated with various arts and cultural institutions.
Alberta Pension Plan News
Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy has expressed concerns about Alberta's plan to establish its own pension plan, along with other prominent figures and organizations. Bethlenfalvy aims to convene a meeting of provincial and federal finance ministers to discuss the potential national implications of Alberta's pension proposal, emphasizing the need to safeguard the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Furthermore, it's noted that Alberta's proposal to claim over half of CPP's assets could affect contributions and benefits for Canadians in other provinces. The article also highlights that Alberta's initiative is viewed by its neighboring provinces as a divisive and nation-damaging act. Ontario's past experience with attempting a standalone pension plan serves as a cautionary example, emphasizing the practical challenges and complexities of such a venture. Critics from across Canada continue to voice concerns about Alberta's pension plan proposal, emphasizing potential risks and acting accordingly.
Aboriginal Solutions to Climate Issues in Alberta
Siksika Nation in southern Alberta is taking action to combat climate change by planting shelterbelts throughout their community. Shelterbelts are rows of trees planted around properties and serve multiple purposes, such as acting as natural wind barriers and retaining soil moisture.
The community is partnering with Project Forest, a non-profit organization based in Edmonton dedicated to rewilding parts of Alberta, with funding from various corporations. Eldon Weasel Child, a Blackfoot knowledge keeper, has witnessed environmental changes in his community over the years and is hopeful that shelterbelts will help revitalize the Siksika environment, especially in light of reduced snowfall and altered river flows. These changes are attributed to less mountain snowmelt.
Shelterbelts, a common sight on Prairie farms, will assist Siksika Nation in coping with the challenges of strong winds and environmental changes caused by climate change.
Danielle Smith Response on Renewable Power at Calgary Climate Conference
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed skepticism about achieving a renewable power-based electricity grid by 2035 at a climate conference in Calgary. She argued that this goal might lead to power blackouts due to the lack of reliable baseload power like natural gas. Her government instead supports a net-zero grid by 2050. Smith questioned the feasibility of building such a grid in 12 years, but the audience, including clean energy experts, responded positively. They mentioned batteries as a solution for intermittent power sources like wind and solar. Smith emphasized the need for practical, baseload power solutions rather than what she referred to as "fantasy thinking.”
In conclusion, the recent events and decisions in Alberta have placed the province at the forefront of national and regional discussions. From the remarkable replacement of the Banff Centre's board to the proposed pension plan and the renewable energy debate, Alberta's actions carry implications that extend beyond its borders. Moreover, the Siksika Nation's proactive approach to climate change highlights the importance of local communities in addressing environmental challenges. As Alberta continues to navigate these complex issues, it remains a focal point in the ever-evolving landscape of Canadian politics and environmental stewardship, serving as a testament to the province's ability to drive critical conversations and actions on a broader scale.
Danielle Smith has Trudeau and Freeland on their heels. Constitutionally she is justified in Alberta having its own pension plan. Quebec has its own plan. Smith needs to continue being steely in her demands for Alberta’s rights. Trudeau, Freeland, nor Ford from Ontario or any other province dictates to Alberta its own right. If secession is the only tenable option it should take it. Place no trust in Trudeau or Freeland .
I am 100% in favour of an Alberta Pension Plan and consider it a no brainer. The province contributes 3 billion or more every year compared to what is paid back to entitled recipients. That 3 billion plus dollars is reason enough for me. The Alberta portion of the current assets of the fund is estimated at approximately 340 billion. What's not to like about that.
As for the other provinces and the federal government it would be a necessary wake up call that Alberta is fed up with feeding them free money year after year. Political opponents will use the usual tactics of fear, smear, lies to demonize Alberta but that is already happening so no change there. The federal government will be forced to increase CPP premiums on the other provinces to maintain and sustain the fund and frankly I don't give a shit. This gravy train entitlement attitude needs to stop and this pension plan is a good place to start that process. Besides, justin is now getting the CPP fund managers to increasingly invest in green tech and anything that has the ESG label on it. I say to hell with that because it smells like a black hole of money laundering, corruption and a money pit of garbage products. Wind turbines and solar panels are also subsidized by the federal government when they are pawned off to the provinces and the installation companies push solar panels as a discount when in fact it is just another line item expenditure in the Edmonton city budget. These panels are then bought by wealthy people who can afford the installation charge and of course shingles that will last another 20 or more years. The average home owner cannot afford to buy these panels and the installation fee yet they are subsidizing the more wealthy people who do buy. This is wrong when the financially lower class support the more wealthy people. It's another scam that needs to stop. Most of this garbage is manufactured in China while they increasingly infiltrate and control Canada . This insanity needs to stop and I hope Smith can put together the necessary information in a public statement aimed directly at the federal government. Then watch them react with their usual arrogant bluster absent of any real facts.