Nenshi attacks UCP majority gov’s fall agenda that he can’t stop

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi accused Premier Danielle Smith’s government of “misguided priorities” in a pre-session speech Wednesday.

Source: Facebook (Naheed Nenshi)

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi accused Premier Danielle Smith’s government of “misguided priorities” in a pre-session speech Wednesday, pledging to oppose the United Conservative Party’s legislative agenda even though his caucus lacks the power to block it.

The remarks came a day before the Alberta Legislature is set to reopen for the fall session, where Smith’s government plans to introduce more than a dozen bills addressing healthcare, public safety, red tape reduction, and labour mobility.

Nenshi claimed the UCP’s fall legislative package “does nothing” to address the affordability crisis, housing shortages or problems within Alberta’s health system.

“There’s nothing in there on affordability or cost of living… The only bills that have anything to do with education are a potential bill to force the teachers back to work, and one to force trans kids even further into the closet, using for the first time in Alberta’s history, the notwithstanding clause,” said Nenshi.

While back-to-work legislation has been alluded to by the Alberta government, if teachers don’t return to the classroom, the province has clearly stated that it will use the notwithstanding clause to protect transgender-related laws from court challenges.

Government House Leader and Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow previously stated the government’s legislative priorities were designed to “deliver results that matter” and keep Alberta “the best place to live, work, do business and raise a family.”

“Albertans gave us a job to do, and we are getting it done,” Schow said earlier this week. “I am excited to say we are focused on the issues that matter to Albertans, defending our interests with low taxes and regulatory burden, public safety, stronger health care and making life better and safer for all.”

During Wednesday’s news conference, Nenshi promised to “vigorously oppose” any back-to-work legislation aimed at ending the ongoing teachers’ strike, calling it “unfair to students and teachers alike.”

“Alberta’s New Democrats stand with teachers,” he said. “The government has refused to come back to the table.”

However, with Smith’s UCP holding a majority government, Nenshi’s party can offer verbal resistance but cannot block any bills.

Nenshi also accused the government of “engineering” the teachers’ strike, spreading “misinformation,” and trying to “make it harder for people to vote,” despite generally sticking to buzzwords without providing supporting evidence.

Nenshi pledged to oppose elements of the government’s agenda. The UCP’s majority means the opposition can debate, delay and criticize, but cannot prevent bills from passing.

The fall session opens Thursday with the speech from the throne, which will outline the government’s priorities for the remainder of its term.