Dear Editor,
Re: Smith is the best leader we have at the moment, letter to the editor, June 7
The purpose of a letter to the editor of a newspaper is to give ordinary people the opportunity to voice their opinion regarding editorials, events and issues of the day.
It should not be a license to denigrate, promote falsehoods or accuse individuals of right wing conspiracy theories. However, since this letter was indeed published, I would like the opportunity to address the content.
With regard to “the ransacking Racheal Notley and the NDP gave to Albertans,” perhaps some Albertans fail to remember, but the price of oil was below $60 per barrel. During her tenure as premier, Notley did the following:
• Increased in the minimum wage to $15 per hour
• Established protection under WCB given to farm workers
• Stabilized funding for healthcare
• Supported the Trans Mountain pipeline
• Increased the tax on corporations and the wealthy
• Cut production of Alberta oil sparking a rally in prices and energy stocks after crude oil prices plunged to $40/barrel.
With regard to “the most destructive government we’ve had since the Second World War,” let's look at the UCP:
• Lowered the corporate tax rate from 12 per cent (already the lowest in any jurisdiction in North America) to eight per cent, forgoing $3.4 billion in revenue over four years
• Cancelled the carbon levy which would have brought in $5.7 billion over four years
• Spent (and lost) $1.5 billion on the Keystone pipeline
Since Danielle Smith became leader:
• Plans to give royalty break worth $100 million to companies to fulfill legal obligations to clean up orphan wells
• Plans to set up provincial police force
• Plans to set up Alberta Pension Plan
With regard to “the NDPs alignment with the New World Order,” first of all, I don’t even know what that means, since there is no explanation in the letter. Is it some Deep State conspiracy theory? Or is it moving forward with the rest of the world instead of lagging behind? Is it showing inclusion and compassion for everyone? Is it coming to grips with our past and admitting our errors?
The incendiary language in the letter shows disrespect, not only for the NDP, but also for the 7,553 individuals in Highwood who choose to support the party.
Eunice Kondro
Okotoks
