The provincial government now has a clearer picture of what Albertans want in a fair deal with Ottawa.
Premier Jason Kenney was joined at a press conference today by Fair Deal Panel Chairperson, Oryssia Lennie, along with Justice Minister and Solicitor General, Doug Schweitzer to discuss the 25 recommendations outlined in the report.
“Albertans have told us what a fair deal looks like for our province – it consists of more autonomy, better representation and a renewed respect for all provinces and territories,” says Kenney.
“Our government agrees, and work on many of these areas is already underway. We are eager to take further action on the panel’s recommendations to ensure Albertans have a strong voice and a fair deal when we need it most.”
According to the government, over 40,000 residents gave their opinions of a fair deal.
Action is already being taken on some recommendations, including fighting the federal carbon tax in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Schweitzer has told the Trending 55 Newsroom on a couple of occasions that he expects that cases to be heard in the fall.
Recommendation Five could be of interest to northern residents as it calls for “collaboration with other jurisdictions to design and advance regional strategies for northern development; pressure the federal government to implement those strategies.”
According to the province, the Northern Alberta Development Council was formed to address this. The mandate is the investigating, monitoring, evaluating, planning and promoting practical measures to foster and advance development in northern Alberta.
Other recommendation the government is looking into includes a provincial police force as well as Alberta’s own pension plan.
Click here to see the report.
– Kenny Trenton, Trending 55 Newsroom
