Category:UCP "Policy" Document - An examination.

In 2018 the UCP had their first convention, and issued a 'policy' document. I think of a policy as something pretty concrete. "a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions" is a definition. The UCP document is thin on definite courses of action and big on loosely defined ideals.

Starting at the beginning, here is their statement of principles:

As a party, we stand united on the following principles that guide our vision for a stronger Alberta: Whoa. Knowing what we know about the UCP leader, one wonders what this means. What does he mean by family? Is he including the current understood mix of family types, or is he only thinking of the old style nuclear family, famous in conservative lore? There is no leadership on this idea here, and I'd be led to think that the UCP ideas on family are vastly different from, perhaps, mine. And, of course, the ever increasing number of single people not wanting marriage could be trouble for them, or vice versa.
 * 1) A robust civil society made up of free individuals, strong families, and voluntary associations.
 * 2) Freedom of speech, worship and assembly.
 * 3) Affirm the family as the building block of society and the means by which citizens pass on their values and beliefs and ensure that families are protected from intrusion by government.

4. Economic freedom in a market economy which encourages the creation of wealth through free enterprise, and protection of the right to own, enjoy and exchange property.

Private property rights is always an issue for conservatives, and I understand it. It must never be used as an excuse for interfering with individual rights. However, there are other issues: can an oil company build a pipeline across my land? Not if they protect my property rights. Power lines? Roads? Can I subdivide my land so that I can retire? Ultimately this ideal is simply nonsense.

5. Limited government, including low levels of taxation to help generate economic growth while allowing Albertans to enjoy the fruits of their own labour.

Low levels of taxation are why Alberta has financial problems. Alberta rolls royalties into the revenue stream, and has been doing that for 30+ years. That's why when the oil business slumps, WE slump. Personal tax rates are pretty low: BC has lower income taxes in general. When you look at all three levels, it looks pretty good in Alberta. Best in Canada. Small business taxes are very nice too. What's the problem? Nobody likes taxes, right?

Alberta has no sales tax, which restricts provincial revenues, and yet Albertans still demand high levels of service. This must be paid for. traditionally it has been paid for using royalties, but these are drying up. Oops.

5. Fiscal responsibility, including balanced budgets, debt reduction, and respect for taxpayers’ money.

Can't argue with respect for taxpayers money as long as we agree on what that means. Balanced budgets? No, oddly economists agree that balancing budgets is not always the best idea. Restricting the options available seems silly. When things are very tough, as they were in 2015-17, there are two choices: run a deficit so that services can be provided and jobs created (which can be repaid when things are good), or implement a series of cuts, meaning service reductions, job losses, and ultimately maybe deaths. I think that the UCP is talking about implementing a strategy of cutting services. This means necessarily creating a deficit in infrastructure, as happened during the Klein years. My realtor called it 'deferred maintenance'.

The deficits are evil mantra will be a common theme in the UCP. They are not. deficits are a tool.

6. Protecting public safety as a primary responsibility of government.

Really? Is it? And the key question is 'safety from what or whom?' From exposure to certain ideas? From any possible injury? From foreigners? From the police? Certainly from criminals, but that is not the function of the province, directly. Alberta has no provincial police force. This one is worrisome, given the known propensities of the UCP.

These are their principles. Think well on how they might be applied, but in a perfect world many are pretty reasonable. Details present us with food for thought.