As most of my readers know, I work for the Alberta Liberal Caucus, the nine MLAs who serve as the Official Opposition here in Edmonton, the provincial capital. Today our caucus unveiled what I believe is a pretty darn cool idea: a toll-free number and website Albertans can use to send us their questions, concerns and opinions on the government's budget, to be released this Tuesday.
If you haven't been following the news, you may not be aware that this budget may return the government to deficit spending, prompting speculation that the Tories will turn to their first and favourite solution: slashing public services.
As someone who cares passionately about public education, public health care, the arts and our social safety net, this possibility worries me quite a bit. That's why I'm so glad that Dr. David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition, is making it so easy for Albertans to make their voices heard.
All you have to do is phone the toll-free number on the card I'm holding up: 1-888-886-2834. Or visit http://www.budget2009.ca/ and fill out the simple form.
Our Alberta Liberal MLAs will bring the best questions into the Legislative Assembly, ensuring that the voices of Alberta's extraordinary citizens are heard.
It's our budget, too. If you care about fiscal responsibility, about public services, about caring for the less fortunate - give the number a call.
Very impressive!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
This is a good idea! This kind of thing is working very well at the municipal level in our town. Our mayor won some kind of award for being interactively connected with the community, and now our town is very active online and in person with the setting of budget priorities. It feels really good to have engagement between the politicians and the constituents.
ReplyDeleteSUPPORT THE ARTS!!!
Of course, we bailed out of Alberta many years ago in part because of the disconnect between provincial politics and our life goals, so we have no official say anymore.