On November 25th, 2010, Official Opposition Leader David Swann spoke to delegates of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association at their annual general meeting. David explained his vision of livable cities, a vision based on the mainstream, moderate values that drive Alberta.
Introduction
Good morning, and thank you so asking me to join you today.
[short pause]
If you have moderate values with regard to fiscal and social responsibility, it’s hard to watch the overcrowding in emergency rooms, slashed social services, the closure of neighbourhood schools, the lack of a land use plan, and so on.
And yet I remain optimistic about the future of moderate, liberal values, partly because of the progress I see in Alberta’s cities: expanding public transit, falling homelessness rates, progress on environmental issues, improved public services – all good news. I was especially encouraged to see increased voter turnout in the last municipal election. I take that as a very good sign for democracy and Alberta’s continued progress.
I think it’s important for people who hold mainstream Alberta values to not only vote, but to actively work toward better government – because governments, good and bad, have a real impact on our everyday lives. For example, I believe that a responsible, forward-thinking provincial government would do far more to help cities. My vision is one of livable cities, what I called Healthy Cities in 1987 as part of a worldwide movement.
What do I mean by Livable Cities? Access to quality public services such as health care and education; transit-oriented development and smart land use; walkable, bikable, self-sufficient areas that promote human interaction; modern, efficient, working infrastructure; and environmental sustainability including scrupulous water use.
Values
My vision for municipalities arises from moderate, liberal values. Not all Albertans share the same politics – and in fact I hope we never get to that point – but I believe there are certain universal ideals that we’re all working toward.
The power of civilization is that it gives us the ability to take care of each other. That’s why we support proper funding for public health care, public education, public libraries – all the institutions that allow a society to grow and thrive, to maintain health.
That’s why we support a long-term funding plan that treats cities fairly; we think the provincial and municipal levels of government should hammer out a permanent agreement that combines a reasonable long-term funding structure with more powers for cities to make their own decisions about how to use that funding.
We also believe in the absolute necessity of long-term planning. Our society is complex, with today’s decisions playing out over the course of decades and even centuries. Development of natural resources, education, economic development, and of course municipal growth – all of these issues require leaders to plan for the long haul.
Long-term funding agreements, for example, are absolutely essential for Alberta communities. It’s impossible to plan and follow through on long-term projects such as public transit expansion when provincial funding goes up and down like a seesaw depending on where we’re at in the boom and bust cycle.
Alberta Liberals are committed to a long-term funding agreement with municipalities and we would honor that commitment in good economic times and in bad. Important projects can take years or even decades to complete; a long-term vision is essential. Remember Green Trip? Whatever happened to that?
Speaking of public transit, my caucus colleagues and I are well aware that municipalities have taken the lead when it comes to environmental issues. That’s why we support, for example, Edmonton’s bid to have a seat on the Regional Advisory Council for the North Saskatchewan Regional Plan.
Laurie Blakeman and I released our environment policy a couple of weeks ago, and it includes a number of ways that an Alberta Liberal administration would work with cities to meet their environmental goals. We’d invest heavily not only in public transportation, but also walking and cycling infrastructure.
We’ll follow the City of Edmonton’s example by setting provincial targets for recycling and composting. And we’ll conserve water by supporting the use of recycled water for non-drinking uses such as irrigation for crops and golf courses. Congratulations, by the way, to the Town of Okotoks for being recognized for their water management plan. Here again, municipalities are anticipating challenges, leading the way.
Alberta’s cities and towns are still waiting for the provincial government to come up with regional planning that works. The Stelmach administration still hasn’t enacted their land-use framework, making it extremely difficult for municipalities to plan their growth. Nor can AUMA meet its goal of healthy municipalities without some kind of land-use guidance from the province.
Right now, economic development is king, with very little consideration given to impacts on health, the environment, public safety and quality of life. As a moderate, I believe in free enterprise – but I also believe in smart and responsible enterprise that benefits the community as much as the developer. An Alberta Liberal administration would make the creation and implementation of a provincial land use framework one of our first priorities.
We also agree that municipalities must play an active role in reviewing the Municipal Government Act. I’m working on a new deal for Alberta’s cities that includes new legislative tools to allow Alberta’s cities and downs greater flexibility as they grow and change. I hope to present that new deal by the time AUMA meets for next year’s AGM.
[pause]
I think what most Albertans want is pretty simple: a public health care system that works for everyone. A clean environment. Safer communities. Good jobs. Good schools. Updated infrastructure. Affordable electricity. And most importantly, a plan for the long term health and prosperity of Alberta’s culture, economy and society. But even if we accomplish these things, I feel that should only be the beginning for Alberta.
We should aspire to greatness, and by that I mean an Alberta where people feel free to differ on public policy, an Alberta without poverty, without homelessness, without preventable, senseless worker deaths and injuries, without unfairness and cover-ups. A place where every student earns their high school diploma, and most go on to postsecondary studies.
A province with a functioning public health care system with reasonable wait times, a province where seniors in assisted living can enjoy quality, dignified care. A province with healthy, sustainable municipalities that work together for the benefit of all. Those are the days worth working toward.
Thank you again. I look forward to a day and welcome your help in creating a healthier Alberta. There’s a better way.