October has been a very busy month for our great city and province.

The Civic Election just passed and we have a new Mayor. The historic significance of the election aside, this is a new opportunity for the City of Calgary to move forward on the Calgary Airport Tunnel. The new mayor has committed the city to the construction of the Calgary Airport Tunnel. Our Alderman, Jim Stevenson, was re-elected. Mr. Stevenson is also a strong supporter of the tunnel and I believe that with the support of the new council we can get the Airport Tunnel built.

But I have not become complacent on my part. I am still pressuring the Stelmach government to support the Calgary Airport Tunnel. During the first week of the legislative sitting, I have once again done a member statement on the Airport Tunnel. As well, I have asked a few questions directly to the Premier on this very issue. I am also currently circulating a petition which directs the provincial government to support the Calgary Airport Tunnel. A copy of the petition will be available in my office.

The Progressive Conservative MLA George Vanderberg and I have introduced motions which will require all ATV riders to wear a helmet. Both Mr. Vanderberg and I are working closely with both the opposition and the government to get this bill passed. I believe that people who ride on ATVs have every right to enjoy their activity; however it must be done safely. A helmet is a basic requirement to ensure the safety of those riders and that is why I am introducing this bill.

Furthermore, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta is finally debating legislation on distracted driving legislation. Bill 16 was introduced by the government. I first called for distracted driving legislation when I was first elected to the Alberta Legislature and I am glad to see some movement on this front.

I also introduced Bill 206 – Utilities Consumer Advocate. The intent of this bill is to give greater protection to Albertans who use utilities in the province. Alberta has needed a Utilities Consumer Advocate for a considerable period of time. I believe that this motion will provide Albertans the protection which they demand and deserve.

Finally, I am saddened to announce that James Maxim has decided to leave our office to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Maxim recently ran in the civic election in Ward 11. Although he was unsuccessful in this endeavor, he has decided to move on. However, I am also delighted to announce that my former Constituency Assistant, Aman Hayer, has decided to take on Mr. Maxim’s previous role. Mr. Hayer is an experienced staff member who has worked in two constituency offices. I have entrusted him to provide my constituents the same level of service that Mr. Maxim once provided. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr. Maxim all the best in all his future endeavors.

I would like to remind you that my office is open on Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00pm. We are willing to provide you assistance on matters related to WCB, Social Assistance, Immigration or any other matter. Please don’t hesitate to call at 403-216-5424 or email us at Calgary.McCall@assembly.ab.ca.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Darshan S. Kang, MLA
Calgary McCall

Newly elected Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel met with the premier and the municipal affairs minister at the legislature Thursday.

The foursome discussed co-operation, infrastructure priorities and provincial funding for municipalities.

“One thing that we all agree on is that given where we are in the economic cycle, this is a great time to be building stuff,” Nenshi said after the meeting.

Nenshi, who met with the premier last week in Calgary, again raised the airport tunnel project, but he didn’t receive a funding commitment from the province. Premier Ed Stelmach, however, assured provincial funding for communities through the Municipal Sustainability Initiative remains a priority, Nenshi said.

The airport tunnel project has the support of the Alberta Liberals and Wildrose Alliance. On Thursday, Calgary Liberal MLA Darshan Kang, the party’s transportation critic, launched a petition drive in support of the project.

Kang contends the province should kick in cash because it has a stake in the Calgary airport expansion and in ensuring Calgarians aren’t stuck in highway traffic when a section of Barlow Trail closes next year.

Nenshi’s meeting with the premier was their second since he was elected mayor last week.

The Calgary mayor was asked about a newspaper column he wrote last year in which he said “the Tories govern in a thick fog of arrogance combined with shamelessness.”

“I’m not sure I recall writing that. Oh, darn the Internet,” he quipped to reporters.

He then added: “At the end of the day, we’re going to move forward in a very positive way.”

Mandel said he’s excited to work with Nenshi. The Edmonton mayor suggested Thursday’s meeting was “a watershed moment” for the province.

“For too long, there’s been conflict between the two cities,” Mandel said. “I think this will be a sign of great co-operation.”

Mandel wants to work with Nenshi on a big-cities agenda and lobby the province on common needs, such as transit.

Nenshi added: “Calgary and Edmonton have a lot of very similar issues that we’re bringing forward — issues on transportation, on infrastructure, on homelessness that other communities in the province don’t face.”

Stelmach said his meeting with the mayors produced a good discussion about the future of the two cities.

“I was buoyed by the fact that both are focused on a number of things. One is the benefit of infrastructure spending when the tenders are very low, and to catch up with badly needed infrastructure,” the premier said.

He added the mayors suggested they might have surplus land to donate toward construction of much-needed continuing care centres.

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Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government talks about competitiveness but will not back the Calgary airport tunnel, a project that will keep businesses going, keep people employed, and increase tourism. This government talks about being green, but they won’t support a project that will keep cars, trucks, and airplanes from idling. To the Minister of Transportation: has the minister studied the economic and social impact of not building the tunnel?

Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I know that the hon. member is trying to do the right thing, but I do not understand why he doesn’t understand that he’s trying to drag me into something that has nothing to do with my job. My job is to look after provincial highways in Alberta, and the airport tunnel is a municipal project. If you look back at the amount of money that we transferred to Calgary last year, there was double enough money there to build the tunnel if they would have made it their first priority.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think the airport tunnel is a Calgary issue; it is an Alberta issue. The minister should be taking a look at the bigger picture. To the minister again. The airport is already over capacity. Without an airport tunnel we can expect even more traffic problems. Why doesn’t the minister think that Calgary needs this airport tunnel?

Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, I absolutely have not at any time said that Calgary didn’t need it or did need it. I just said that it wasn’t our responsibility. I’ll tell you that this member will be one of the first people that will be out there if we change and if I sway from policy and do something that I’m not supposed to be looking after and look after it. They’ll be the first ones jumping down my throat on not following our policies.

The Speaker: The hon. member.

Mr. Kang: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the contrary, I think I’ll be the first one applauding the minister to do the right thing, to come through with the funding for the airport tunnel.

To the minister again. The tunnel is a necessity for the LRT to go to the airport. Will the minister reconsider and put his support behind the airport tunnel?

Mr. Ouellette: Mr. Speaker, as you know, there’s new money going to Calgary in the new budget that just came out. They have to decide what their priorities are and what infrastructure they spend their money on. I’ll tell you, we have members on our side of the House, the Member for Calgary-Montrose and the Member for Calgary-Cross, that have been working very hard with my department also, trying to figure out how they could get support for the people in Calgary. We’re building a ring road around the city of Calgary to help get rid of the congestion that he’s talking about on the Deerfoot. Therefore, I want to stick to the job I’m doing and try to do the very best for Albertans that I can.