Editor:
Now that the provincial election is over it is time to reflect on the campaign and how our elected members are going to conduct themselves in the Alberta legislature.
I was impressed by all the Banff-Cochrane candidates at the Canmore and Banff forums. It was apparent that each one wanted to make the lives of Albertans better.
Now it is time to put participatory democracy in place, regardless of party platforms. Attack modes, negativity and bickering take away from what is best for the common good, not just for the party.
In the political field there are people who are crystallized and resist any form of change, and others who want to move things forward. The ability to adapt to the new energies pouring in to the planet.
We will need to find a ‘...balance between the necessities of tradition and the necessities of change” (Imre Vallyon). It is a clash between the new and the old, between those who are progressive and those unable to change.
From a national perspective, it seems to me that prime minister Harper is on a slippery slope as far as the next election is concerned.
I believe he and his majority government are losing the trust of Canadians. There is too much secrecy and not enough explanations to the rest of us regarding policies now put in place.
For example, now we hear about changes to the OAS, more prisons to be built, laying off thousands of Canadians, changes to the Environmental Assessment Review process, changes to the Fisheries Act, reduced funding to Banff National Park, with many layoffs of park employees. In Banff I see infrastructure crumbling.
What kind of image does this give to the millions of visitors to our national park? The wasteful expenditures of this government are on the backs of lost programs and services plus lost jobs.
I fail to see how this enhances our economy and quality of life. Billions of dollars for fighter jets, while our own people are trying to keep their heads above water. The next election is going to be an important one for this country.
Eileen Patterson,
Banff
