EDMONTON, AB (November 1, 2011): The PC government’s invite-only provincial budget consultations are a diversion tactic intended to give the impression that they are listening to Albertans, the Wildrose said today.

Treasury Board President Doug Horner and Finance Minister Ron Liepert announced yesterday they will hold consultations with hand-picked attendees over the next three days that will be closed to the media.

Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said the secretive and exclusive budget meetings are yet another broken promise for a Premier who ran on a platform of open government and transparency.

“You shouldn’t have to be on the PC VIP list to have a say on the provincial budget,” Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said. “This is especially disappointing coming from Ms. Redford, who led Albertans to believe she would be different. So far, she’s showing the same contempt for the grassroots as the last administration.”

Wildrose Airdrie-Chestermere MLA Rob Anderson also criticized the government for holding meetings only in constituencies represented by PC MLAs and only with individuals selected by the MLA.

“What they’re saying is if you don’t support the PC party, your opinion doesn’t matter,” Anderson said. “Further, all they’re doing is stacking the process so they hear only what they want to hear. This Premier and this government owe an apology to my constituents and the hundreds of thousands of others who live in opposition ridings.”

The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedoms and democracy.

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For further information or to arrange an interview, media are invited to contact:

Evan Menzies

Communications Assistant, Wildrose Caucus

Ph: 780-904-4913