Premier Alison Redford stopped in Olds last Friday afternoon to meet with local PC candidate Darcy Davis and with constituents.
As close to 50 people applauded her entrance into Willow Brook Coffee House, local resident Christine Hogan rushed to Redford and started enthusiastically hugging her to thank her for the recent AISH raise.
Redford took the occasion to say that her cabinet is committed to the Olds overpass project.
“What we have had to do this year, and I think it is appropriate because we have had some issues with respect to revenue with this worldwide downturn, is that we are committed to moving ahead with the project but we did delay for one fiscal year,” said Redford.
“Even though we will be able to move ahead with that and won't have to book it or put it in the budget until next year, you are going to see action on that quite soon.”
Regarding the education property tax increase of 8 per cent, Redford believes that it will help keep education funding in place through the provincial budget and insuring that the province has education sustainability.
“From my perspective, I think it is important that there be certainty in the system, and that's sort of where we come at this,” she said.
“If we look at what is going on with respect to education, we want school boards to be able to make long-term decisions, and to make sure that parents are being supported in the choices that they make for their children in school.”
While Redford respects the autonomy of the school boards, she does not agree with school boards charging fees with respect to basic education.
“I think it is important to know that as a principle and what we are committed to in education is to provide sustainable funding, and sufficient funding for infrastructure and for curriculum and programs,” she said.
Redford agrees with NDP leader Brian Mason's recent call to end personal attacks on other leaders during the rest of the campaign.
“I want to make sure that we are talking about the issues that matter to Albertans,” she said.
“Every leader should be able to stand up and define what they believe the future of the province could be under their leadership and then Albertans will decide.”
When asked about recent poll results, which place Wildrose a close second after the PCs in people's vote intention, Redford said that the only poll that matters is the poll on election day.
