Mr. Anderson: Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Premier tabled an article from the Airdrie City View which he said proved that I supported his economically disastrous new royalty framework. I know the Premier is a busy man, but, honestly, perhaps he should have read the article first before tabling it. I do thank him for tabling it for everyone to see. Remember, this article was written in 2008, prior to the NRF's taking effect.

After outlining the key importance of the oil and gas sector in creating jobs and agreeing with the adjustments made to the oil sands royalties, something I've always said publicly and in caucus, I then say the following:

When Premier Stelmach [initially] announced the royalty changes, he left the door open for further modifications . . . I, and many others, have been advocating that given the global economic slowdown, plummeting oil and gas prices, as well as the competitive royalty regimes of BC and Saskatchewan, it is important to readjust royalties downward . . .

As your provincial representative, I will continue, as promised, to advocate for further decreases in royalty rates for oil and gas projects outside of the oilsands. I believe that doing so is essential to the . . . prosperity of our province.

That's quite a smoking gun, indeed.

Mr. Speaker, again, this article was written in 2008, before the destructive NRF took effect. It proves what I and thousands of Albertans told the Premier and his chief of staff for a long, long time: that his energy policy was flawed, that the economy and industry had changed and we would not be competitive, and that thousands of Albertans would suffer if he went ahead with his ill conceived royalty changes.

I thank the Premier, his chief of staff, and his research staff for reminding me of this article. Not only does it show I've been consistent on this issue; it shows I've been consistently right. It also shows just how consistent the Premier, his chief of staff, and his energy ministers have been on this issue, consistently out of touch, consistently wrong-headed, and consistently incompetent with an industry so many Albertans rely on for their well-being.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.