Ted Morton
Odds: 8-1*
Residence: Calgary
Age: 56 (Born in Los Angeles, March 28, 1949)
Position: Member of the Legislative Assembly for Foothills-Rocky View
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Colorado College, 1971; Master of Arts in political science from University of Toronto, 1975; PhD in Political Science, U of T, 1981
Political experience: Elected in 2004; Alberta Senator-in-waiting, 1998; director of policy/research, Official Opposition, Ottawa, 2001; political science professor, University of Calgary, 1981-2004
Family: Wife Bambi, three children.
What steps does the province have to take to further diversify its economy? The private sector and not government should be the engine for creating both jobs and diversification. The most important thing government can do is reduce corporate income tax to 8%.
What can the government do to ease current and future labour shortages and attract skills and talent to Alberta? The most important thing is a competitive income tax system, competitive not just with other Canadian provinces, but also with those western U.S. states with whom we trade. Pursue an Alberta immigration program that focuses on job skills and employment rather than family reunification.
Do you see any need to change the oil and gas royalty regime as laid out in this year’s budget? I believe more study is required before a position can be taken on changes to royalty rates. Until long-term industry impact studies can be done, I will not be advocating any changes to the current resource royalty structure.
Political Philosophy: The biggest obstacle to future prosperity and democracy in Alberta is sticking with the status quo.
Mark Norris Odds: 9-1*
Residence: Edmonton
Age: 43 (Born in Edmonton, 1962)
Position: President, GLG Consulting
Education: Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics, St. Francis Xavier University
Political experience: Elected in 2001; minister of economic development, 2001
Family: Wife Veronica, two children
What steps does the province have to take to further diversify its economy? Market forces must prevail, but the government has to seriously review its regulatory and taxation policies to make sure we are not dissuading new industries from setting up here. We must also address the province’s capital markets and more specifically the availability of early-stage venture capital in Alberta. Without a source of capital, the inventions generated by industry and our academic institutions will leave.
What can the government do to ease current and future labour shortages and attract skills and talent to Alberta? Immigration has to be part of the solution, but equally important is the availability of post secondary opportunities for Alberta’s youth to be trained in a trade. We simply must make the investment in our colleges and technical institutions to meet the demand.
Do you see any need to change the oil and gas royalty regime as laid out in this year’s budget? I would be cautious in reviewing any changes to the oil and gas royalty regime simply based on higher world commodity prices that exist at the moment. Industry needs the assurance that if they commit to billions of dollars over the course of many years, we will not change the rules of the game.
Political philosophy: Business needs to be left alone as much as possible to flourish. Government’s role is to create a level playing field.
Dr. Lyle Oberg
Odds: 8-1*
Residence: Sherwood Park
Age: 45 (Born in Forestburg, Jan. 6, 1960)
Position: Infrastructure and Transportation Minister
Education: Medical degree, University of Alberta
Political experience: Elected in 1993, re-elected 1997, 2001, 2004; minister of -family and social services, 1997; minister of learning, 1999
Family: Wife Evelyn, four children
What steps does the province have to take to further diversify its economy? We have to ensure the infrastructure – road, rail, air – is there to ensure that whatever the invention is or the product is, it can get to market. That also includes a very friendly tax regime. We need to make sure there is an easy track toward commercialization. We need to help researchers find venture capital.
What can the government do to ease current and future labour shortages and attract skills and talent to Alberta? We need to capitalize on the labour that is present in the province. We have to increase skills training. We need to push for more skilled workers to come to Canada and lastly, as an escape valve, we need to make sure we can bring in foreign workers on a temporary basis.
Do you see any need to change the oil and gas royalty regime as laid out in this year’s budget? Stability is paramount for the oil and gas industry. We have to honour our contracts. There can be no quick change.
Political philosophy: We need a government that is there to help people. We must have a government that doesn’t put roadblocks in people’s way.
Ed Stelmach
Odds: 4-1*
Residence: Farm near Andrew
Age: 54 (Born in Lamont, May 11, 1951)
Position: Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs
Education: Attended University of Alberta
Political experience: Elected in 1993, re-elected in 1997, 2001, 2004; minister of agriculture, 1997; minister of infrastructure, 1999
Family: Wife Marie, four children
What steps does the province have to take to further diversify its economy? We have to look at ensuring we remain competitive — adding value to every molecule of hydrocarbon and every kernel of wheat. We need to be flexible and creative in our policies and our investments around people and around infrastructure. We also need a taxation model that rewards risk takers, and that helps us bridge the gap between research and commercialization.
What can the government do to ease current and future labour shortages and attract the skills and talents to Alberta? We need to look at all of our labour regulations to see if they still appropriate for today’s marketplace and economy. Immigration is a key. So are our training and development programs around First Nations and young Albertans. Using taxation as an instrument and an incentive for companies may be one way to enhance and expand our workforce.
Do you see any need to change the oil and gas royalty regime as laid out in this year’s budget? I don’t think any changes are needed in the immediate, but as the industry develops further, there may be a need to tune up some of the oil and gas royalty structure. The structure is working well for Albertans.
Political philosopy? Listen. Be open. Really, the role of government is to ensure that there is very stable, predictable policy and regulation.
*The odds were produced by an anonymous panel of seven Albertans drawn from business, labour, academia and journalism.
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