Mason: Snelgrove’s in wonderland
August 18, 2011
Snelgrove in wonderland with rose-tinted, pre-election quarterly update.
Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason says the PC government’s rosy picture for the province’s economy is nothing but pre-election spin.
“Given the economic turmoil since the first quarter, Minister Snelgrove’s predictions of $97-per-barrel oil and 3.8% economic growth are out of touch with reality. Albertans can’t trust the PCs with the economy,” says Mason. “They’re using obsolete data which precedes the latest market volatility to attempt to fool Albertans into thinking everything is alright before an election. They’re more worried about looking well than doing well by Albertans.”
Oil is currently worth about $87 per barrel - $10 less than the government is relying on when Snelgrove said the province could end up with a balanced budget by the next fiscal year end.
“The PCs have not diversified our economy, so our fortunes still float with the price of oil. An NDP government would use our wealth to invest in green jobs and other new economic sectors, along with strong social programs, to make sure Albertans are prepared, no matter what the economic outlook is,” Mason says.
Mason believes a provincial election may be called this fall or next spring.
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