I am very concerned and dismayed about the recent decision by our provincial government to go ahead with the installation of high voltage power lines in our province, an increase in power lines that is, by fact, unnecessary.
I am also appalled that our provincial government has passed three different bills that have not only removed the requirement of a needs assessment on the construction of these lines, but have removed the rights of the landowners in this province altogether. As a junior high social studies teacher in the province of Alberta, it is my job to teach my students about Canadian government (federal and provincial) and the values and principles that are the foundation of our democratic system. It is painfully obvious that these recent decisions have not been made in the best interest of the citizens of this province, the same citizens who elected these politicians to office.
This is as undemocratic as it gets. The Progressive Conservatives must repeal these decisions on land rights issues and the installation of these power lines. They are, simply put, unneeded. It is troubling that the concerns of Albertans seem to be falling on deaf ears. If our premier can make time in his schedule for these bigwigs from Hollywood, surely he can do the same for those people that got him his job in the first place.
Harland Klak, Sturgeon County
