Democracy

We hope you enjoy the first issue of our new publication, the Advocate. This newsletter is intended to be space to share stories and tools for advocacy and will be published three times a year.

Here is a collection of articles and upcoming actions in response to the Provincial Budget 2013.

EDMONTON—Public Interest Alberta says that the Redford government's budget cuts to public services are going to have a serious impact on our families and the economy.“This budget is full of bad decisions”, says Bill Moore-Kilgannon of Public Interest Alberta.The budget released today will have the following impacts:Culture

EDMONTON—On the day before the provincial budget, Public Interest Alberta is releasing figures that show that only the very wealthy benefit from Alberta’s flat tax system. "Albertans who believe the myth that we pay the lowest taxes in Canada will be surprised to see that they are paying more income tax than if they lived in BC or Ontario. At the same time, people in Alberta with very high incomes are paying tens of thousands less in income tax than in other parts of Canada," said Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta.

"Alberta's official opposition is offering one-day, $1-contracts to four groups in an effort to allow them to participate in Thursday's pre-budget briefing lockup. Wildrose leader Danielle Smith has extended the invitation to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Public Interest Alberta, the Fraser Institute and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. The premier's office has said the opposition is only allowed to bring employees to the lockup, not guests."

"'Never say never,' says Public Interest Alberta executive director Bill Moore-Kilgannon. 'There seems to be an attempt out there to manufacture consent by the premier and a number of economists that the only cure for Alberta's fiscal woes is a sales tax.'"

EDMONTON—Public Interest Alberta has learned from a reliable source that the long running Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) will be cut in the upcoming provincial budget. This program provides seed funding for non-profit community groups across Alberta to hire students from May to August.

"With the March 7 budget looming Ministers around the province are looking for ways to cut spending. The group Public Interest Alberta is raising red flags about a long running program that could be made obsolete. The Summer Temporary Employment Program, or STEP, provides funding to non-profit community organizations to pay student wages.Bill Moore-Kilgannon says the program costs just over $7 million and plays a huge role in providing summer employment as well as summer programs for kids."

EDMONTON—Today, on the day Parliament resumes, the federal Conservative agenda will be faced by the uniting of an unprecedented assembly of social movements. Idle No More grassroots founders and organizers from across Canada stand in solidarity with Common Causes, an assembly of social movements dedicated to defending democracy, social justice, the environment and human rights, working to achieve a common goal: to unite people and communities for the common good.

"The Idle No More movement marked a global day of action Monday with a rally in Churchill Square that saw leaders from a variety of organizations declare solidarity with the movement. More than 200 people gathered in Churchill Square to hear representatives from nine organizations, including labour and environmental groups, share short messages of support for Idle No More and sign a declaration of solidarity. The speeches were followed by a tea dance with the Dene Tha’ Drummers."