This is Democracy?
 
The PC Government has decided to unilaterally extend the 6-year mandates of Alberta’s current Senators-elect by 3 years. As every media commentator has correctly concluded, this is nothing more than a hyper-partisan attempt by the PCs to avoid what they feel would be an unpleasant election contest with the Wildrose Alliance.
 
Many Albertans have found this behaviour quite shocking. Even some of the PC Government’s own MLAs don’t understand the move. To quote MLA Doug Griffiths on his Facebook page:
 
“I am having a tough time figuring this out myself. I got into politics (to) fight for property rights and senate reform...I just don't get this one.”
 
It is very disappointing to see a government so worried about its own skin that it would think nothing of changing election law just so it isn’t embarrassed. What’s next…when 2012 rolls around will they delay a provincial election for another 2 years hoping for their long lost supporters to return? Well, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
 
But although this most recent development is disappointing, it is not surprising in any way. It is just the latest in a long pattern of recent blows to democracy and transparency in our province. Some other recent examples are as follows:
 

• Unilaterally kicking MLA Guy Boutilier out of caucus without a caucus vote because Mr. Boutilier had publicly questioned why Ft. McMurray still has no Seniors long term care facility.
   
• Effectively taking away the Official Opposition’s longstanding role of chairing Public Accounts (the committee that essentially audits government spending for the previous year). After a week of public outcry, the decision was reversed.
  
  
• Refusing to set fixed election dates despite the recommendation being repeatedly made by Alberta’s Chief Electoral Officer – who they subsequently fired.
  
  
• Denying caucus office and research funding to the three-MLA Wildrose Alliance caucus while granting it to the two-MLA New Democrats. I wonder why?
  
  
• Not renewing the contract of Alberta Auditor General Fred Dunn, whose only mistake was to consistently point out ways the Government could be more efficient with their spending programs.
  
  
• Refusing to release documents received by the Ministry of Energy from industry related to the development of the New Royalty Framework despite being formally requested by the Public Accounts Committee.
  
  
• Granting billions in untendered transmission line contracts to two large donors of the PC Party.
  
  
• Denying caucus the right to vote freely on any Government legislation and very few Private Members Bills. This has led to bills being passed (i.e. Bill 50) that would not have had a free vote been held.
  

 
I could go on, but I have limited space.
 
Alberta was once a proud national leader of democratic reform. Under the current PC Government we’ve turned into a national laughingstock on this issue. Restoring our leadership in this area should be one of the first priorities of the next government…that is if the current one doesn’t delay elections indefinitely.