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Alberta New Democrats, Doug Hart

NDP candidate for Lacombe-Ponoka Doug Hart announces his platform for the 2015 Alberta provincial election.

After 44 years of Conservative governments which have mismanaged our public finances, created chaos in the health system and failed to invest in necessary infrastructure, Albertans are ready for change.  The Alberta New Democrats are prepared to govern and I am proud to be on their team.

While the Conservatives propose 59 new taxes and levies, including a health care tax,  and the Wildrose Party will cut public services and slash jobs,  the Alberta New Democrats have a plan for made-in-Alberta jobs and a progressive income tax  and royalty review in order to bring the budget back into balance by 2017.  We will protect the health care services and education supports that are important for you and your family.

Rachel Notley and the New Democrats have steadfastly maintained we need fair taxes that require corporations to pay reasonable tax rates on profits over $500 million, resource royalty rates need to be reviewed to reflect international standards, and that the 10 per cent  flat income tax be replaced with a progressive income tax, with those earning more than $125,000 paying a little more. We propose an expansion of continuing care beds for seniors, protecting the sanctity of the publically funded and administered health system, and will demand predictable, sustainable, and adequate funding for schools and post-secondary Institutions. Proposals to provide job creation tax credits for small business, returning funding for diabetic monitoring supplies, and a transparent process for prioritizing public infrastructure projects are among our leadership proposals.

Locally, I would fight for landowners’ property rights and would resist carbon capture legislation, expand public continuing care beds, and diversify the economy through value-added agriculture and agribusiness, and renewable energy pursuits. I also have a plan to strengthen the Municipal Sustainability Infrastructure funding for rural communities.

During a 40-year career as nurse, college instructor and college administrator and from decades of service on several national and provincial boards, I have learned the importance of public service and policy governance.

The role of the elected official is to take the wishes and needs of the electorate forward, and to pursue the greatest good, collaboratively and collectively.

I understand that decisions should be made because they are right, not because they are popular, and that all good ideas be considered, no matter their political origin. I am socially liberal, and fiscally conservative.

My hope from this unnecessary election is that there will evolve a greater accountability to the voter, that promises to the voter will be kept, and that politicians come to understand their role is to serve the public through long-term policy development, not short-term budget cycles.

In my fourth campaign as candidate for the same political party, I hope people realize that my convictions and commitments run deep, and I look forward to your support on May 5.

By Doug Hart