Wpa Policy Proposals - Sep 2007

Wildrose Party of Alberta Policy Proposals - September 1, 2007 Policy Proposals for resolution at the party’s founding Assembly, October 26 & 27, 2007 (Note: The following are policy proposals submitted by party members after formal notice was sent on June 28, and policy proposals offered by the party Executive, as directed at the party’s formation meeting in Red Deer June 23, 2007.) Provincial Savings and Investment 1. Provincial savings must benefit all Albertans Be it resolved, that provincial government savings and investment should directly and personally benefit all or most Albertans, such as through a permanent fund annual dividend like Alaska's, or a universal pension fund, or both. 2a. Alberta Pension Plan Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta instruct the Federal Government of its wish to opt out of the CPP and negotiate a transfer of assets to the Alberta Pension Plan (APP). The APP will provide benefits equivalent to that of the CPP with an additional Defined Contribution component account for each Alberta contributor. This latter account will be composed of savings from the lower cost of benefits of the APP created as a result of favourable demographics and a matching contribution from the Provincial Government. 2b. Alberta Pension Plan Be it resolved, that Alberta withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan to create an Alberta Pension Plan offering the same benefits at lower cost while giving Alberta control over the investment fund. 3. Royalty Savings Strategy Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party will advocate or establish a new royalty savings strategy to curtail useless expenditure and maximize annual pension benefits to Albertans. Provincial Public Spending 4. Provincial Transportation Strategy Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will develop a provincial transportation strategy, including the construction of a twinned highway to Fort McMurray. 5. Provincial Primacy in Health Care Be it resolved, that Alberta reassert its provincial jurisdiction over health-care policy. 6. End Health Care Premiums Be it resolved, that Alberta Health Care premiums be abolished. 7. Insure Alternative Medicine Be it resolved, that the Wildrose party pass legislation to allow for the inclusion of alternative medicine in Alberta Health Care. 8. Value for Money in Provincial Spending Be it resolved, that this party explore and promote new ways of bringing public scrutiny, judgement and control to all categories of provincial spending which may be of little or no measurable benefit to most Albertans. 9. Oversight of MLA Pay Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party will advocate or enact a repeal of the “severance” plan, and introduce a formula whereby voters raise, lower, or leave MLA pay the same at election time. 10. Complementary Health Care Centres Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will consider introducing

complementary health care centres for cancer treatment, whereby patients and health care practitioners are given the choice of treating with conventional and alternative treatments. 11. Paying for Public and Private Health Care Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will maintain the public health care system to pay for services provided to patients by either private or public health care options. 12. Private Options in Health Care Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will introduce private options in health care for patients and health care providers. 13. The Swedish Model of Health Care Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will study, and where advisable, emulate the Swedish model for health care. 14. An Arterial Freeway for Alberta Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party will support a central arterial “freeway” to be created utilizing existing infrastructure. Safe Communities 15. Increase Corrections Staff and Training Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party insist on staffing levels and training of probation officers and other supervisors of convicts which are adequate to provide effective supervision of parole board or court orders. 16. End photo radar Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party would eliminate and ban photo radar as a traffic violation deterrent once elected. 17. Alberta Provincial Police Be it resolved, that Alberta maintain its own provincial police force. 18. Protection of homes Be it resolved, that the Wildrose party supports a policy that respects and recognizes the sanctity and safety of a person’s home. 19. Recoup Proceeds of Crime Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party adopt a policy of encouraging and directing police and prosecutors to gather evidence and make applications for forfeiture of the proceeds of crime, and restitution orders for victims to a much greater extent than is now the practise. 20. Repeal of the Minor Injury Limitation Legislation Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will repeal the Minor Injury regulations and laws enacted on October 1, 2004. 21. Canada’s Lowest Crime Rate Be it resolved, that through more effective use of police, prosecutors and provincial jails, that Alberta set the objective of achieving and maintaining the lowest crime rate in Canada. 22. Temporary Speed Reduction Zones Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports an amendment to all temporary speed reductions throughout Alberta to be in effect, only when people are present. 23. Review of Speed Limits Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports legislative authority for Alberta Transportation to review and amend any posted speed limit throughout the province. 24. Legal Resident’s Registry Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports the creation of a Legal Residents Registry, which

would include the name of every legal Alberta resident, and that no individual would be entitled to any services of the Government of Alberta unless they are registered, which would include but not be limited to, drivers licenses, health care, financial assistance, “prosperity bonuses”, education, child care, etc. 25. Police Officers on the Street Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports the hiring of more police officers to enforce the existing laws, while reviewing and setting limits on the amount of management and overhead in the law enforcement community. 26. Police Training and Communication Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports the establishment of common police training, information exchange, communications and inter-force transfers. Municipalities and local authorities 27. Embrace subsidiarity Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party is committed to the principle of subsidiarity: that no level of government should make decisions regarding any matter which can be dealt with as well or better by a subsidiary level, including informal levels. 28. A comprehensive new deal for municipalities Be it resolved, that this party appoint a competent working group to re-examine the division of responsibilities and access to public revenue that now exists between the province and local authorities. 29. New tax arrangement with municipalities Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta require that the Provincial Government should not provide subsidies to lower levels of government but rather reduce Provincial taxes and provide more taxation room to the lower levels of government. 30. Abolish Education Capital Tax Levies Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports the abolishment of education capital tax levies, and the establishment of a process whereby a school service area could determine through plebiscite if the residents would support a property tax levy to build new schools or refurbish old schools, and if approved, schools would be immediately built or refurbished with borrowed funds, to be repaid over time by the property owners through education capital tax levies. 31. Permit Basement Suites Be it resolved that the Wildrose Party of Alberta institute legislation requiring cities and towns to permit basement suites without undue restrictions on same. 32. Recreational Trails Be it resolved a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will recognize the right of municipal governments to establish walking and/or cycling trails within it’s boundaries and further recognizes the rights and responsibilities of municipal governments to maintain, police and operate such trails. Federalism 33. Adopt the principles of the Calgary Congress Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party adopt as its federal position the Statement and Resolutions of the Calgary Congress, 2006. STATEMENT of the Calgary Congress: "We believe in one Canada; with many Provinces; and a Federal Parliament beside. Where each Province, accountable for its own and to its own, governs free of federal interference within its assigned areas of responsibility.

"We believe that Ottawa’s current practices of governance and wealth transfer are intolerable and pernicious, and should end now. "We believe that Constitutional and conventional checks and balances should be made a more meaningful part of our political life. "With these beliefs we submit these resolutions, considered and adopted by a majority of the Calgary Congress convened in Calgary, September, 2006." RESOLUTIONS: 1. Canada needs rebalancing of power and responsibilities in our federation in conformation with our constitution. 2A. Provinces should be fully responsible for their own internal social and economic future. 2B. The primary mandate of an elected Senate should be to represent and protect provincial interests, powers and responsibilities. 2C. Effective counterbalances should be established to prevent the Courts from centralizing powers and expanding the meaning of Charter rights. 34. Challenge the federal spending power in court Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta advocates and will lobby the Alberta government to launch a Supreme Court challenge of the constitutionality of Ottawa's taxing and spending in areas assigned "exclusively" to provinces by Section 92 of Canada's Constitution. 35. The cost of the federal system to Albertans Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party appoint a competent working group to assess the net cost of the federal system to Albertans, and to investigate and recommend constitutional means to reduce this cost in ways that would strengthen Canada's economic productivity. 36. Oppose federal equalization Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta be opposed to the continuation of Equalization Payments between Provinces currently administered by the Federal Government. Civil and Human Rights 37. End reverse discrimination Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta will enact a statute that governs all other provincial legislation, including Human Rights and Family Law, that prohibits discrimination or preference based on sex, race, religion, or social status, and that requires any government agency, including the Courts, to expressly justify any program or decision that differentially applies to or affects any Albertan based on sex, race, or religion, social status. 38. Primacy of Speech, Religion, and Association Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party, in all matters affecting civil rights, will affirm the primacy of the traditional freedoms of speech, religion and association. 39. Provincial anti-discrimination protection for the Unborn Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party will amend the Provincial Human Rights legislation so that it does apply to the Unborn and children under 18 and will encourage other Provinces and the Federal government to do the same. 40. Demand federal protection to the unborn Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party will do all it can to encourage the Federal government to follow the courts invitation to redraft the legislation that was found flawed in connection with the Charter and did not provide a balance between parties and to amend federal legislation so that the Unborn is clearly a person and has rights and status. 41. Same-sex marriage Be it resolved, that Wildrose Party of Alberta government would amend the Alberta Marriage Act

as follows: (1) No person shall (a) issue a marriage licence for, or (b) solemnize the marriage of a union other than that of a man and a woman, and (2) This section operates notwithstanding (a) the provisions of sections 2 and 7 to 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and (b) the Alberta Bill of Rights. Property Rights 42. Compensation for ‘partial taking’ of private property Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta will enact within legislation, the assurance, that full, just, and timely compensation will be paid to all persons or entities who are partially or fully deprived of any property as a result of any government initiative, policy, process, regulation or legislation. Property, for the purposes of this resolution, includes all those assets that are conveyable by monetary or bequeathal means. 43. Ownership of water on private land Be it resolved that the portion of the Water Act, that gives control of my rights to surface water such as dugouts and ponds completely within the boundaries of my property and privately dug water wells on our own property belong to the people who own the property and not the state. The State should control all rivers lakes and streams that are not on private property. Constitutional challenge of federal firearms laws 44. Firearms ownership Be it resolved, that the Wildrose party will challenge all federally sponsored firearms control and legislation as being unconstitutional. Firearms are property and therefore fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the provincial government. Environment 45 a. Provincial Review of Climate Science Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta establish a Provincial Royal Commission to study the science of global warming. 45b. Provincial Review of Climate Science Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party support a provincial government review, informed by scientists of accepted credentials, to examine how to mitigate the anticipated effects of climate change in Alberta. 46. Liability for Malicious Environmental Lawsuits Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports legislation that would allow claimants to seek compensation from members of environmental groups where it has been proven harm was caused malicious or deliberate misstatements, or physical harm. 47. Climate science balance in Alberta schools Be it resolved, that the Wild Rose Party will ensure a balanced approach if the climate change debate is to be taught in Alberta schools. Social Programs 48. Base social policy on social science Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party will base social programs and policies on what is good for family and community stability, as evidenced by rigorous sociological evidence. 49. Affordable Housing

Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government will work with municipalities – especially the major cities – to encourage the building of affordable housing for entry level renters and social housing needs by: Expanding the present program and enacting a value for service audit. Providing a 5 year tax holiday from any and all provincial and municipal taxes on all new rental apartments built. The unit must remain as rental for at least 10 years or all back taxes are due. 50. Drug Approval Be it resolved that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government would review the process of drug approval. 51. Empirical Evidence in Social Policy Be it resolved, that government policy and legislation on any issue either fiscal or social will not be formulated upon advocacy only. All such legislation must be rendered based upon the application of empirical evidence. 52. Commission on Social Programs Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party government would strike a commission to review the administration and provision of social programs to ensure that the needs of the poor, disabled and senior citizens are met. Immigration 53. Provincial control of immigration Be it resolved that Alberta asserts its constitutionally guaranteed control over immigration to the province. 54. Alberta identity Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party will recognize that Canadians in the province of Alberta are first and foremost Albertans, with combined ethnic backgrounds that form a uniquely distinct Alberta culture. 55. Demography Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government would petition the federal government to grant Alberta the ability to determine the demographical composition of all immigrants entering Alberta. 56. Immigrant Credentialing Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government would assist professional and skilled Foreign Worker immigrants who are lacking Alberta credentials and therefore prevented from working in their profession or skill in Alberta, by extending non-interest bearing loans to enable them to attain the necessary credentials that would enable them to be employed full-time in their area of profession or skill. 57. Mandatory Standards for English Skills Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government would institute a mandatory program for new immigrants to assess their written and verbal English language skills, and where a satisfactory standard is not attained, the completion of an approved English as a second language course would be mandatory before citizenship would be granted. 58. Expand the “Family Class” Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government would expand the “Family Class” of immigrants allowed into Alberta to include all immediate family, including parents, children of any age, and siblings of Canadian citizens. 59. New Provincial Department for Ethnic Communities Be it resolved, that a Wildrose Party of Alberta government would establish a Ministry with the mandate to establish communications with all ethnic communities that exist in the province of Alberta, for the purpose of integrating immigrant Alberta residents into the Province, in order that they may attain their maximum economic and social potential as residents of Alberta to the

benefit of Alberta. Education 60. Teach basic knowledge of law in high school Be it resolved, that the high school curricula in Alberta be required to include as mandatory subjects, basic criminal law, family law, and contract law. 61. Reducing educational overhead Be it resolved that the Province develop a plan to reduce class sizes by getting teachers out of central office and back in the classroom. 62. Teaching objective analysis and debate Be it resolved, that the Alberta Education curriculum integrate academically rigorous techniques of objective analysis and debate across the curriculum, and apply these techniques with all controversial topics. 63. Objectivity in teaching Be it resolved that Alberta Education policy include rigorous observance of the principle of pedagogical objectivity in all academic disciplines and at all grade levels. Democratic Reform 64. Citizens Assembly on democratic reform Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party urge the Legislature to convene a Citizens Assembly (on the B.C. model) to recommend new methods of democratic consultation and deliberation on major issues, such as Referendum, Initative, Recall, and Citizens Assemblies. 65a. A Provincial Constitution Be it resolved that, the Province of Alberta is 100 years past in age. Still we do not have our own written and ratified Alberta Constitution putting limits on the Provincial Governments power or capacity. This would be the most exciting and democratic thing that we as Albertans could bestow upon ourselves and our posterity. The Consent of the Governed. 65b. A Provincial Constitution The party Executive proposes 65a be reworded as follows: Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party introduce a Constitution for Alberta, which will include respect for regional interests, and guarantee the fundamental political freedoms of all Albertans, including property rights. 66. Binding citizens initiatives Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta will implement binding citizen initiative referendums upon receipt of 5% of the previous elections' votes. 67. Fixed dates for elections Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party supports a system of fixed dates for provincial elections, and not the current system where elections are called at any time at the option of the government in power. 68. Establishment of a Public Ombudsman’s Office Be it resolved, that the Alberta government set up and staff an Alberta Ombudsman’s office whereby citizens may appeal an unsatisfactory resolution of all complaints against any government agency, self-regulated profession, industry or society. The resulting resolution shall be binding on all parties unless that finding is eligible to be heard in a court of law, which will then be the final binding authority. Further, that it be required that every publicly registered corporation, society and professional organization be required to be registered with this Ombudsman’s office and be required to abide by the rules and regulations defined by it. Taxation

69. Dedicated fuel tax Be it resolved, that all provincial motor fuel taxes shall be dedicated exclusively to the funding of roadway construction and maintenance so that motorists fully fund the cost of roads in a pure user-pays system. 70. Tax-funding of abortion Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta will end Alberta Healthcare funding of abortion. 71. Tax incentives for children Be it resolved, that the Wildrose Party of Alberta offer tax incentives to the parents of every child born to an Alberta family. 72. Collect provincial personal income tax Be it resolved, that, as per The Alberta Agenda, we collect our own revenue from personal income tax, as we already do for corporate tax. 73. Provincial tax plebiscites Be it resolved that the Wildrose Party of Alberta initiate legislation requiring new Provincial taxes and increases in existing taxes to be subject to a vote by the citizens of the Province. 74. Increase lower-income tax exemption Be it resolved that provincial personal income exemption level be raised to $25,000 per year. 75. Federal Income Tax Equality Be it resolved that the Wildrose Party of Alberta will advocate the same federal income tax rates be levied in Alberta as apply in Quebec. Amendments to the WPA Constitution 76. Qualified members Be it resolved, that Article III be amended as follows. The words: ARTICLE III – MEMBERS (a) Membership in the Party shall consist of all members in good standing who are natural persons who are at least sixteen (16) years of age, who personally authorized an application for membership in the Party. To qualify for membership, a person shall be ordinarily resident in Alberta, have paid the prescribed membership fee and either hold an official membership card of the Party issued in his or her name or be on the official membership list. Be amended to: ARTICLE III – MEMBERS (a) Membership in the Party shall consist of all members in good standing who are natural persons who are at least sixteen (16) years of age, who personally authorized an application for membership in the Party. To qualify for membership, a person shall be a resident in Alberta, and have paid the prescribed membership fee.