News Archive

September 2010

Statement from David Swann wishing Albertans a happy Labour Day (3 Sep): This Labour Day, I hope that Albertans will have a chance to relax with their loved ones, enjoy the transition of summer to fall, and perhaps take a…

An Open Letter to Albertans Affected by the Irvine/Medicine Hat Flood Disaster (3 Sep): Over two months have passed since devastating floods drove hundreds of Albertans from their homes in Irvine and Medicine Hat. The Premier promised over…

August 2010

Government delays put adult learners in a precarious position (31 Aug): Edmonton – Alberta Liberal Deputy Leader Laurie Blakeman says that the Stelmach administration’s characteristic mismanagement is now threatening…

Statement from David Swann re: Schindler Report (30 Aug): The peer-reviewed research of David Schindler’s team at the National Academy of Science on environmental pollution from oil sands development reveals…

Fiscal update shows Stelmach administration could do more to balance the books (25 Aug): Edmonton – Alberta Liberal Finance Critic Hugh MacDonald wants to remind Albertans that Premier Stelmach and his Ministers created Alberta’s $4.8…

How confidential are your health records? (20 Aug): Edmonton – On September 1, the Alberta government will put in force new regulations governing the electronic health records of all Albertans. Alberta…

Bridget Pastoor’s letter defending the Village of Rycroft (13 Aug)

Sloppy reclamation approvals further damage Alberta’s international reputation (12 Aug)

Swann calls for “action, not advertising”

Edmonton – Official Opposition Leader David Swann says that the decision to approve…

Statement from Kevin Taft on long-term care in Red Deer (10 Aug): Today I’m travelling to Red Deer to support Albertans opposed to the closure of two long-term care facilities in that city.

July 2010

Open letter from David Swann to Premier Stelmach on the importance of the census (30 Jul)

David Swann sends open letter to Premier Stelmach requesting real assistance for flood victims (29 Jul)

Dear Premier Stelmach,

I’m currently examining the flood damage here in Medicine Hat and Irvine. I have spent the last couple of days speaking…

Documents reveal Stelmach administration laid off 448 nurses at a time we can least afford it (29 Jul): But they also show we now need a hiring spree

Statement from Harry Chase on Child Intervention System Review (22 Jul): One year ago today, the Stelmach administration established a panel to help build a stronger child intervention system.

WCB provides generous bonuses to its employees by reducing benefits to injured workers (21 Jul): Bonus scheme not a commitment to fairness
Edmonton – Labour Critic Hugh MacDonald says that the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)…

Stelmach administration bungling leaves Alberta’s heritage in the dark (13 Jul): Edmonton – Laurie Blakeman, Alberta Liberal Critic for Culture and Community Spirit, says that the Stelmach administration has mismanaged the planned…

Statement from David Swann on the Kitimat Pipeline (13 Jul): Canada and Alberta need more markets for our oil and gas, and Enbridge’s plan to construct a pipeline to Kitimat would open up those markets for us.…

Lack of position on accountability issues shows true nature of Wildrose Alliance (12 Jul)

Appearance at committee hearing unmasks WRA as complainers with no solutions

Edmonton – The Wildrose Alliance party’s inability…

Time to end AHS executive bonuses (9 Jul): Edmonton – Official Opposition Health Critic Kevin Taft says bonuses at Alberta Health Services should come to an end.

Happy Canada Day from David Swann and the Alberta Liberal Caucus (1 Jul): On behalf of my colleagues in the Official Opposition, I wish all Albertans a very safe and happy Canada Day.

Stelmach administration policies could create sticker shock on Albertans’ power bills (1 Jul): Calgary – David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition and Critic for Energy, says that the Stelmach administration’s characteristic disregard…

June 2010

Additional $181 million in education property taxes collected should support public education (24 Jun): Edmonton – Finance Critic Hugh MacDonald says that the government’s quarterly update glosses over an important fact: it collected an additional…

Electoral Boundaries Commission report reflects petty gerrymandering (24 Jun): Edmonton – Alberta Liberal Deputy Leader Laurie Blakeman says that the just-released report of the Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission (AEBC)…

Swann sets the record straight on Alberta’s oil sands in call to U.S. city councillor (21 Jun): Calgary – The city council of Bellingham, Washington recently voted to support a resolution targeting fuels derived from Alberta’s oil sands. Concerned…

Statement from David Swann on changes to Canada Pension Plan (17 Jun): Recently Ted Morton and Ed Stelmach have followed the timeworn tactic of fighting with the federal government in a transparent attempt to bolster their…

Blackett’s remarks grounds for resignation (17 Jun): Edmonton – Laurie Blakeman, Alberta Liberal Critic for Culture and Community Spirit, says that Minister Lindsay Blackett should resign for denigrating…

Statement from David Swann: Just Say No to a National Securities Regulator (15 Jun): The Alberta government is currently fighting attempts by the federal Tories to force a National Securities Regulator on Alberta. Every once in a while,…

Something smells about government’s handling of Swan Hills fire – and it’s not the toxic fumes (10 Jun): Edmonton – Alberta Environment’s decision to forego an investigation of a serious fire that occurred last summer at the Swan Hills Treatment Centre…

It’s time to stop playing with people’s health: Bring back the Alberta Cancer Board (8 Jun): Edmonton – Last week, it was revealed that the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton was turning away patients with advanced stages of cancer, and now…

Final Question of the Week for spring session 2010: spying on Albertans (3 Jun): The spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature was originally scheduled to last until this week, but the Tories pulled the plug in April, months early.…

Undermining Education: report inspires everything but confidence (2 Jun): Is the Premier planning to eliminate elected school boards?
Calgary – Harry Chase, Alberta Liberal Education Critic, says that Albertans…

May 2010

Statement from Darshan Kang on the bombing of mosques in Lahore (31 May): On Friday, two Ahmadi Muslim mosques were bombed in Lahore, Pakistan.

Question of the Week: Cold Lake Doctor Shortage (28 May): The spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature was originally scheduled to last until June, but the Tories pulled the plug in April, months early. There…

Question of the Week: MacDonald Stands Up for Alberta’s Metal Fabrication Industry (20 May): The spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature was originally scheduled to last until June, but the Tories pulled the plug in April, months early. There…

Question of the Week: MLA Pay Review (13 May): The spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature was originally scheduled to last until June, but the Tories pulled the plug in April, months early. While…

Swann unveils Clean Government Initiative (12 May)

Democratic reform package includes tax credit for Albertans who vote

Edmonton – Citing a need to address the ongoing culture of cronyism…

Cutbacks devastate cultural events in small-town Alberta (7 May): Edmonton – Laurie Blakeman, Alberta Liberal critic for culture, says recently announced cuts to the Community Presenting Grants will practically eliminate…

Give school boards back their independence! (7 May): Calgary - School boards across Alberta are struggling with rising costs, funding cutbacks, and dwindling reserves. Alberta Liberal Education Critic…

Another good question: Kang calls for crackdown on mortgage fraud (6 May): The spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature was originally scheduled to last until June, but the Tories pulled the plug in April – months early.…

Question of the Week: Somali-Canadian deaths in Alberta reaching fever pitch (6 May): The spring sitting of the Alberta Legislature was originally scheduled to last until June, but the Tories pulled the plug in April – months early.…

On World Asthma Day, Official Opposition calls for better air quality monitoring (4 May): Edmonton – Laurie Blakeman, Alberta Liberal environment critic, says that Alberta needs a provincially funded and operated air monitoring system as…

April 2010

Another foster child’s death prompts Chase to demand public inquiry into foster care (30 Apr): Calgary – Harry Chase, Alberta Liberal critic for children and youth services, demands a public inquiry into the province’s foster care system. …

Health Resource Centre bankruptcy reveals the pitfalls of private health care delivery (30 Apr)

Is it time for the public to take back Grace Hospital?

Calgary – David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition, says that the financial…

Statement from David Swann on Honour Granted Harry Chase (30 Apr): My caucus colleagues and I are delighted to congratulate Calgary-Varsity MLA Harry Chase for being awarded the University of Calgary Student Union President’s…

Statement from David Swann on the Day of Mourning (28 Apr): On this Day of Mourning my caucus colleagues and I pause to commemorate and honour the Alberta workers who have been killed, injured, or developed diseases…

Broken promises endanger Alberta workers (28 Apr): Edmonton – Alberta Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald says that high rates of death, illness and injury in the workplace are clear evidence that the Tories…

Capital plan delays leave Albertans in the dark regarding new health infrastructure (24 Apr): Edmonton – Kevin Taft, Alberta Liberal critic for Health and Wellness, wants to know why the government’s plan for building much-needed health care…

Under the Radar: Question Period items you may have missed for the week of April 19-21, 2010 (23 Apr): The Stelmach administration brought session to an early close again, and so these are the last Under the Radar questions for the spring session. …

Time to call P3s by their real name: giant public liabilities (22 Apr): Calgary – Alberta Liberal Education critic Harry Chase says that the Stelmach administration’s attempt to spin their announcement on P3 schools…

An Open Letter to Premier Stelmach from David Swann (15 Apr)