Alberta premier designate Rachel Notley met with Alberta premier Jim Prentice today to insure a smooth transition to a new NDP government after 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule.
“I am very grateful for the co-operation we are receiving as we prepare to assume office. Today he offered me his insight and advice, both of which were very valuable,” said Notley during a news conference.
In an unusual political twist, Prentice is still premier, even though his party lost the election and he resigned as leader of the party and his Calgary seat on election night.
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“Who is in charge is technically Mr. Prentice, but certainly the public service is playing a leadership role in ensuring the trains run on time and the cheques are written and things unfold appropriately.”
Notley said the NDP has asked the outgoing government write to school boards giving them an extra month to complete their budgets based on funding that includes enrolment growth, unlike the Prentice budget, which did not cover funds for larger school enrolment.
“Our government was elected on a commitment to fund enrolment growth and this extension of their budget deadline will permit us to act on this matter in good time for next year,” she said.
Notley also announced that Richard Dicerni will remain as deputy minister to executive council and head of the public service in an effort to show government stability in the time of transition.
“He will continue to provide the province’s public service with a non-partisan professional public service that Alberta needs at this time.”
The naming and announcement of cabinet, a budget and possible dates for a spring sitting of the legislature will be announced later.
“You have to obviously appoint a cabinet and then cabinet, being new to the job, needs an opportunity to review the briefing books and we need a chance to meet and get together in order to refine and priorize our decisions, obviously with reference to our platform and obviously the information we get with the briefings in the transition period,” she said.
“In the past 44 years, the people that were elected were the people in charge before the election and typically one would expect they knew what was in the briefing books before the election was called.
“In our case we have a responsibility as a party in transition to review a mountain of information and make sure we are making the best most thoughtful decisions that we can come together a cabinet.”
Notley has also started discussions with some oil company executives concerned what an NDP government would mean to the province’s oil-dependent economy and said she has promised to work collaboratively to preserve Alberta jobs and its economy.
“My guiding principle is the economic health of Alberta, job creation and maintenance and as a result of that the sustainability of industry.”
Notley said it would be too early to announce any details of a royalty review, but it would happen within the next four years.
“It will be proceeded by good, thorough discussion with all stakeholders including industry. No one will be surprised by the way it unfolds.”
Contact mary.macarthur@producer.com
