An Open Letter to Premier Stelmach from David Swann
Dear Premier Stelmach,
During yesterday’s meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, PC MLA Verlyn Olsen moved that “all future correspondence on behalf of the public accounts committee be signed by both the chair and the deputy chair.”
Another of your colleagues, PC MLA Dave Rodney, is the deputy chair. The chair, of course, is Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald.
Naturally you understand that this is totally unacceptable and hands the government veto power over the actions of a committee whose mandate is to oversee government spending and ensure that public dollars are being used responsibly and in the public interest. Public Accounts is the only committee that isn’t already chaired by a Tory MLA. Now it may as well be.
Mr. Premier, surely Albertans don’t need or want every committee of the Legislature to be essentially ruled by the very government these committees are supposed to oversee. Albertans know all about the problems with foxes guarding the henhouse; for that matter, as a farmer yourself, you above all should see the problem here.
Mr. Premier, you are better than this. In the early days of your administration, you promised Albertans that your leadership style would be far more accountable and transparent than the last.
Now you have an opportunity to make good on that promise. Reverse this decision. Restore at least a little accountability to your administration. Restore the faith of the people of Alberta.
David Swann
Leader of the Official Opposition