©Wainwright Star Chronicle Photo
| Klein Tells Partisan Crowd in Wainwright “Their Priorities are Our Priorities” Lara Grunow Star Chronicle Staff Premier Ralph Klein spoke to an audience of 260 Wednesday night following a dinner at the Wainwright Communiplex. The event was a fundraiser for the local Progressive Conservative Association. Klein was relaxed at the microphone and received various bursts of applause and laughter during his 20 minute address. He touched on the current hot topics of provincial politics including natural gas prices, intensive livestock operations, and hinted that an election was soon to be called. “We will do more if we need to do more,” said Klein of the utility rebate programs. He said that while no long term solution has been found, he promised that there is more money available if needed. Klein said that intensive livestock operations are an important part of future viability of the province’s agriculture with the ability to add value to grain production and create jobs in rural Alberta. He quoted a capacity for 12 million hogs to be produced here while current production is only 2 1/2 million. “If we do it right and do it properly, it can happen,” said Klein referring to a study now underway to create a comprehensive strategy for intensive livestock operations in Alberta. The study, headed by Leduc MLA Albert Klapstein is expected to be released in March. Klein also spoke on how important he believes it is for him to get out of the Legislature in Edmonton and visit rural communities. He said it is during engagements such as the one in Wainwright, where he learns what the real issues facing Albertans are. “... it is easy to forget that there is a whole province out there. A province out there that has concerns other than what is printed in the Edmonton Journal,” said Klein. Klein also gave praise of Wainwright MLA Butch Fischer who has led the constituency since 1982. Klein called Fischer, “one of the most capable MLAs.” On the question as to when the next election is going to be held, Klein assured that it would be soon. “I can delay the election. I could delay the election, but that would say that my colleagues and I are afraid to take on issues. We aren’t,” Klein stressed. He talked about the good fiscal position that the province is in, reminding that within two years all debt will be paid off. He also indicated that he has no intention of leaving provincial politics, unless forced out, until Alberta celebrates its centennial in 2005. “By the year 2005 and I might retire... I want to leave this province on auto pilot. I want to leave it in such good shape that not even the liberals can screw it up,” said Klein. He also spoke briefly on the quality of health care and how pleased he is that Alberta will now have some of the highest paid doctors in the country. He talked about the opportunities in education that are available to people of all ages, and he assured that the Progressive Conservative party will continue to set Albertans’ priorities as their priorities. Klein was given a standing ovation for his words. The evening then continued with a silent and live auction of 35 donated items. Klein mingled with the crowd briefly before leaving before the evening’s end. —See the print version in Provost News (February 7, 2001) —Want to Subsrcibe? Click here!
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