Project Alberta

Wildrose Alliance Party
NEWS RELEASE

April 29, 2009

Is Alberta Becoming a Banana Republic?

For Immediate Release

Calgary - The PC government's muzzling of its Minister of Culture and Community Spirit is the latest attempt by the Stelmach regime to stifle freedom in Alberta, and is a frightening look into a potential future where a cowed populace huddles in fear of elites, politicians and special interests.

"It's a tough time for principled people to be involved with the Government of Alberta," says Wildrose Alliance leader Paul Hinman. "It wasn't long ago that Stelmach punted Chief Electoral Office Lorne Gibson when his honest attempts at electoral reform threatened to force the PC's into running fair elections. Now he's riding roughshod over Lindsay Blackett's attempts to rein in an out-of-control "human rights" commission. What's next, Thought Police?"

Alberta's flawed Human Rights legislation had led to attempts by some people or groups to stifle debate and free speech, hallmarks of our society and Minister Blackett had said he wanted to ensure the legislation could no longer be used that way. Yet now the Stelmach government apparently believes that Albertans need to balance freedom of speech with "responsibility". Who will determine "responsibility"?
Apparently, it will be the same unelected "Human Rights" thought police who will now have a fatter budget (in a time of record deficit) to work with. How is that free speech?

"If Premier Stelmach wants to ensure no one's feelings are hurt he could have started by not offending freedom-loving Albertans by pushing a principled minister out of the way when he was clearly trying to do his job well," says Hinman, who reminds voters that in the past several months not only has the yoke of forced politically correct speech been tightened around Albertans' throats, but democratic reforms aimed at more free and open elections have been thwarted, property rights undermined, investment driven from the province and record deficits forced on Albertans. "And whenever a cabinet minister or bureaucrat tries to do the right thing for Albertans, the result ends up being what's right for the Stelmach government, instead."

The Wildrose Alliance believes in true equality without artificial pigeonholing by race, religion, gender etc. Further, the Alliance believes in limited government, fiscal responsibility and democratic accountability.
These are straightforward conservative positions that show clearly the Wildrose Alliance the only true conservative party in Alberta.

"Perhaps it's time the PC party employed truth in advertising and started calling themselves the Progressive Party," Hinman says, "Because it's obvious that they are no longer conservative. And that's to the detriment of the province."

The Wildrose Alliance says it's time to rebuild the Alberta Advantage using the values and policies that made Alberta such a beacon of hope for Canadians from all regions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Paul Hinman
Wildrose Alliance leader
Phone: 403 393-2003


info@wildrosealliance.ca