OLDS — Like many other politicians in Alberta, mayor Mike Muzychka’s greatest frustration with the federal government’s speech from the throne was that it contained almost no mention of the need to spur the oil and gas industry.
The speech, delivered Sept. 23 by Gov. Gen. Julie Payette, did say that the government’s goal of obtaining net zero carbon emissions can’t be done “without the know-how of the energy sector,” but that was about it.
That was not enough for Muzychka.
In an interview, he agreed that throne speeches by their very nature are vague. They’re just a heads-up as to what the government is planning on doing. More details will be provided later when the federal government presents its budget.
He also conceded that the number of Olds residents making a living off the oil and gas sector is smaller than it was before the recession began in 2014, but there still are some, and it could be an economic driver again with some help.
“You know, we want to build back the economy and that’s the cornerstone,” Muzychka said.
“The health-care systems, the school systems – everything we enjoy in this country -- most of it harkens back to the energy industry, the non-renewable energy industry.
“I appreciate that we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do for the environment and start looking at cleaner energy for sure, but we can’t abandon that energy sector -- at least in times like this, because it’s a solid money-maker,” he added.
Besides, Muzychka said, many emerging countries around the world won’t be able to create zero-emission economies for decades, and while they’re trying to get to that point, Canada should enable Alberta oil and gas to be sold to them.
“What better place than Canada,” he asked. “It’s the most ethical non-renewable energy in the world.
“Why wouldn’t we put it out on the world market, as opposed to, you know, places like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Russia?”
Other throne speech aspects
Muzychka is encouraged by a brief mention in the throne speech of support for infrastructure spending.
He notes the town has tentative plans to construct an intersection on Highway 2A south of the cemetery in order to create a new entrance into the southeast industrial park.
Muzychka is hopeful the throne speech announcement might have some bearing on that project.
He noted the town has already received money for it under the federal/provincial Investing In Canada Infrastructure program (ICIP).
Muzychka is also hopeful that other programs mentioned in the throne speech, like plans to extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy through to next summer could benefit local employers and employees.
He also liked the fact that there are plans in place to transfer the people who have been enrolled in the Canada Emergency Response Benefit program (CERB) which ended Sept. 26, into the existing Employment Insurance program.
“That’s a good thing – not really Olds-specific, but there’s so many people out of work, that was good news,” he said.
On Friday, it was announced that the federal Liberals and New Democratic Party had agreed on the outlines of a deal that would provide paid sick leave to ensure no Canadian has to go to work while sick.
Muzychka said that sort of package would help all Canadians, including Olds residents, of course.
The speech also announced that the federal government will “make a significant, long-term, sustained investment to create a Canada-wide early-learning and child care system."
That could help Olds residents and employers too, Muzychka said.
“That’s absolutely a cornerstone of getting the economy back,” he said. “If we don’t have reliable, cost-effective child care for the working parents, how are they going to get back to work?”
