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A fellow I know in Ottawa posted this to a site we both belong to.  He was recommending to American acquaintances that they should avoid Alberta if they were going to relocate after the Trump election win, using the Steve Boots video below as an example. This resulted in an immediate response of Bull Shit from myself. Knowing I was going to get pushback I decided to provide my perspective of each of the resolutions.

COMMENTS APPRECIATED!

Steve Boots video https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&si=1IqzYcqocmgG8Yen&v=vbDqzaSXf20&feature=youtu.be

	The UCP General Meeting: Massive Support and Bonkers PoliciesThanks for watching! Remember to subscribe for daily uploads of news compilations, clips, and a weekly 30 minute show!Website: www.steveboots.netIf you’d lik…www.youtube.com

My reaction to his rant is a result of his extreme interpretation of the resolutions passed at the AGM.  

AGM Resolutions are here https://www.unitedconservative.ca/wp-content/uploads/Resolutions-2024.pdf

I have read all of the resolutions and generally don’t have a problem with the majority of them. It is important to note that policy resolutions approved by members aren’t guaranteed to become public policy and will be vetted by government staff and discussions with stake holders to see whether things are legally possible, constitutionally possible.

Resolution #1 – Accountability & Transparency

Currently the Government of Alberta has a Diversity and Inclusion Policy which places significant emphasis on hiring practices based on diversity and inclusion. This resolution requires hiring practices to be based solely on merit and equality of all regardless of race, gender or creed.

I agree with this one, in all my years of employment my handicap never was a never deciding factor in my being selected for a position.

Resolution #2 – Democracy

Don’t allow unions to donate monies to political parties. Unions have extra-ordinary power to influence the results of an Alberta election with their ability to donate monies without restraint or limit.

I am ambivalent on this resolution but do believe some public sector unions are guilty of outrageous demand that cannot be matched in the private sector.

Resolution # 3 – Families

Protect exclusively female spaces and categories (such as washrooms, change rooms, shelters, dormitories, sports, awards etc.) for biological females.

I agree

Resolution #4 – Families

Ensure that minors are protected from exposure to sexually explicit performances and events that receive public funding or are held in public venues.

I don’t have an issue with this one

Resolution #5 – Revenue

a. Prohibit any consumer carbon tax or carbon pricing scheme or carbon cap and trade system from being implemented in Alberta. b. Support any federal or interprovincial government efforts to “axe the tax” by eliminating the federal carbon pricing backstop being imposed on Albertans and Canadians.

This one is a contentious issue all across Canada.  Currently there is a carbon tax  of $

80 per Carbon tonne. It is applied to gasoline, diesel, home heating etc.  We do get a rebate that is supposed to reimburse individual all that they have paid, so far mine has never covered the outflow. It was supposed to cause a reduction in emissions but there has not been any evidence of that happening.  Significantemission reduction has been achieved through technical innovation and investment by energy producers in Alberta not by the carbon tax.

Resolution #6 – International

Maintain and defend its constitutionally mandated jurisdictional authority over all decisions affecting Albertans regarding provincial, national, or international emergencies, treaties or other agreements. 

Meant to keep the federal Government from interfering with areas of provincial jurisdiction under the constitution. I agree.

Resolution #7 -Infringement Protection

Ensure that parental rights are not perceived to be subject to governmental approval or granted by the government, instead of their acknowledgement of this natural/God given right. 

I agree.

Resolution #8 –  Curriculum and Assessment

Require teachers and school boards obtain opt-in informed written consent from the parent(s) of a student to any instance when a teacher provides, formal, informal, or incidental instruction or extracurricular activities on subject matter involving sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. At the parent’s written request, the teacher of the student shall permit the student to leave the classroom without academic penalty or other censure. ii. Require that all third-party resource materials or presentations related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or human sexuality available in Alberta classrooms be pre-approved by the Ministry of Education.

I do not have a problem with this one, I certainly would like input into what my kids are being taught.

Resolution #9 – Transparency and Accountability

Require disclosure of funding sources for all groups which are lobbying or protesting to influence the government of Alberta.

I Agree.

Resolution #10 – Municipal

e United Conservative Party believes that the Government of Alberta should… a. Prohibit any provincial or municipal entity under Alberta Government jurisdiction from entering, amending, extending, or renewing an intergovernmental agreement with the Government of Canada or Nongovernmental organizations and other international interests unless prior approval has been obtained from the province. An intergovernmental agreement entered, amended, extended, or renewed by a provincial or municipal entity without prior approval from the Government of Alberta shall have no effect.

This is a result of the Federal Government making aagreements with some municipalities undermining provincial jurisdiction, I agree.

Resolution #11 – Energy – Electricity, Gas & Utilities

review our gas and electricity pricing system with the goal of reducing administrative fees to the actual cost to provide service and creating a sliding scale link between the transmission and distribution costs and customer usage. Prohibit the charge of local access fees paid to the municipality. Provide full transparency to the public on the costs of energy (gas and electricity).

Whole heartedly agree, currently administration fees and distribution fees for utilities are astronomical in comparison to the actual resource being purchased.

Resolution #12- Emissions Reduction

Recognize the importance of CO2 to life and Alberta’s prosperity by implementing the following measures: Abandoning “Net-Zero” targets, Removing the designation of CO2 as a pollutant, and  Recognize that CO2 is a foundational nutrient for all life on Earth.

Definitely contentious, based the rationale that Rationale CO2 is a nutrient foundational for all life on earth. The carbon cycle is a biological necessity. CO2 is presently at around 420 ppm, near the lowest level in over 1000 years. It is estimated that CO2 levels need to be above 150 ppm to ensure the survival of plant life. 

Resolution # 13 – Democracy

Strengthen conflict of interest laws for elected officials.

I agree.

Resolution #14 – Health

Ensure that all medications, treatments and surgeries attributable to health services for sex alteration practices are classified as elective cosmetic procedures costed solely to the requesting patient.

I am ambivalent.

Resolution #15 – Immigration

Negotiate with the federal government to create an accord with Alberta that grants our province greater control over immigration.

Agreed, the Federal Government immigration policies have caused great stress on housing and infrastructure.

Resolution # 16 – Government

Acknowledge that there are only two biological sexes and accordingly provide male or female as the exclusive options on all official government documents.

Not sure I want to touch this one but certainly reduces ambiguity and paperwork issues.

Policy Resolution #17 Municipal

Require municipalities to hold a plebiscite vote for proposed land use changes that would significantly impact the entire municipality.

Agreed, this one is a result of Calgary’s recent by-law that allows for higher density housing in existing neighborhoods, this was passed despite overwhelming opposition.

Resolution # 18 – Land and Water

Develop a proactive forest management model to reduce wildfire risk through community forest education prioritization, further investment in equipment and manpower for firefighting, development of new technology for intensive forest management practices I.E. AI or satellite mapping for fire monitoring, prioritizing forest harvesting for the purpose of protecting communities, industry, and parks and controlling the expansion of pests like pine beetles.

Agreed, recent forest fires are as much a result of bad management as climate change.

Resolution # 19 – International

Protect Alberta Crown Lands from unlawful seizure by international or federal organizations through neocolonial interpretations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Persons. Efforts at ideological colonialism are set up to seize lands and resources by international organizations. They are attempting to do this by transferring Crown lands to First Nations, and then revising international law to seize the land from the First Nations. The spirit and intent of the Treaties, and other agreements and initiatives, shall remain intact and only be revised through negotiation.

I don’t have enough experience to comment but  on the surface it does seem reasonable.

Resolution # 20 – Employment Standards

Eliminate retention bonuses for bureaucrats. All severance shall be in line with minimums set forward in Alberta Labor Standards. Bonus structures will be based on measurable and attainable goals (KPIs) designed by the Minister and department.

Agreed

Resolution #21 – Intergovernmental – Federal

Continue to distance itself from the federal government in as many facets as possible as a productive member of Confederation. Furthermore, any right given to another province should be a right given to Alberta. Any policy that is implemented outside of Alberta that impedes good management and government on behalf of Albertans should be challenged at a constitutional level. 

I agree.

Resolution #22 – Post Secondary and Trades

Advocate and champion, the skilled trades and professions by integrating the journeyperson and apprenticeship skilled trades education track within the grade 7-12 education system.

Agreed

Resolution #23 – Democracy

Hold the Alberta Human Rights Commission accountable for the decisions that they make.

Agreed

Resolution #24 – Professional Practice and accountability

Make membership in the Alberta Teachers Association optional for all teachers employed in public, separate, Francophone, charter, and independent schools in Alberta and ensure comparable supports, benefits, and pension opportunities are available for those who opt out.

Agreed no one should be forced to join a union.

Resolution # 25 – Infringement protection

Always provide the option of non-digital forms of Government issued Id that can be used wherever government issued ID is required.  We don’t want the government to be able to force us to have to use government apps from which they can then track our moments and actions in order to access services.

Agreed

Resolution # 26 – Education

Work with Alberta faculties of medicine to increase the number of physicians trained in Alberta, particularly in rural areas, by increasing enrollment and acceptance into Alberta medical faculties to graduates more doctors each year without compromising our high standard of graduation criteria recognized worldwide.

Agreed

Resolution #27 – Democracy

. Eliminate the practice of election vouching for the identity of another elector. Because no auditing system is in place, proving residency is impossible; therefore, individuals have the potential of voting in several locations; or reside out of province with no permanent residence in Alberta. Revoking vouching privileges helps to ensure election integrity.

Agreed

Resolution # 28 – Education

Limit the use of cellphones and social media in our primary and secondary school systems

Although I recognize there are issues with cell phones in classrooms I can see circumstances where they could be used as a teaching tool, not sure a blanket ban is the way to go.

Resolution # 29 – Agriculture

Support food security and diversified, resilient local food systems in programs under provincial jurisdiction by:

 i. Removing bureaucratic barriers that undermine the viability of small farms 

ii. Restoring consumer freedom to purchase food without government oversight 

iii. Incentivizing practices that prioritize long-term soil health and biological diversity.

Agreed

Resolution #30 – Revenue

Implement an 8% personal income tax bracket for middle income Albertans and restore the provincial tax rate of 10% as the highest personal income tax bracket.

Agreed

Resolution # 30 – Infringement Protection

Strengthen the rights of all Albertans to be treated equally.

Agreed

Resolution #32 – Post- Secondary & Trades

Require publicly funded post-secondary institutions to implement a policy guaranteeing the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly of all students and staff that does not interfere with the functions of teaching, learning or access to the institution proper. The right to free speech and assembly does not give the right to disrupt other students’ access to learning or a postsecondary campus. Recent events have seen students occupying post-secondary campuses and interfering with others’ rights to education and access to the campus. This policy clarifies that post-secondary institutions should guarantee the rights of all students to free speech and assembly and to learning and accessing the campus.

Agreed

Resolution # 33 – Property Rights

Strengthen landowner rights. Landowners in Alberta are subject to many conditions in which they suffer losses of usage, and or access to their own land, because of various federal, provincial, and or municipal regulations. Landowners need to have more say when it comes to their property as it is in fact their property

Agreed

Resolution #34 – Democracy

e. Implement a recall trigger requirement of 50% + 1 of the total number of votes most recently cast for the targeted office, applicable both to provincial and municipal elected officials, and to provide a timeframe of 120 days to gather the requisite signatures.

Agreed

Policy Resolution # 35 – Transportation – Infrastructure

Fund and construct additional new reservoir(s) for water storage and work with industry to reinvest in existing privately developed water infrastructure to ensure a dependable supply of water for the growing population, agriculture, industry and communities and a reduction of flood risk for Albertans.

Agreed

His rant indicates there may be a bit of the sky is falling syndrome. Comments appreciated.