The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is criticizing the Alberta government for its pre-election spending after releasing figures Friday showing Ed Stelmach's Tories have announced spending of nearly $1.3 billion over the past 11 days.
"Politicians of all stripes tend to pork-barrel right before an election," said Scott Hennig, the group's Alberta director. "But this dollar amount is unprecedented in Alberta."
In the last week and a half, the provincial government has promised new schools, new health facilities and freeway interchanges as it gears up for what is widely expected to be an election call Monday or Tuesday.
Hennig said in the weeks leading up to the 2001 and 2004 provincial elections, spending announcements ranged from $89 million to $136 million.
"It has nothing to do with what's being announced, it's the manner in which this is being announced," said Hennig. "If these things were of such great concern, the government could have either announced them over the last year or could have waited until a budget came out."
The government should adopt fixed dates for elections as a way to discourage politicians from making big announcements in the weeks leading up to an election call, Hennig said.
Alberta Votes 2008 »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
Riding Profiles
More Alberta Votes Headlines »
- It's 'Ed's Empire' after Alberta election sweep
- Political observers in Alberta are calling it remarkable and opposition politicians are wondering what hit them after Ed Stelmach guided his Conservative party Monday to one of its biggest majorities ever.
- Low voter turnout in Alberta election being questioned
- As Premier Ed Stelmach and Alberta Conservatives savour their sweeping election victory, some people are raising a nagging concern: why so few people bothered to vote.
- Albertans elect historic 11th straight Tory government
- Voters in Alberta stuck with tried-and-true blue, giving the Progressive Conservative party an unprecedented 11th consecutive majority government in Monday's provincial election.
- Political tide turns in Edmonton
- Alberta Progressive Conservative Leader Ed Stelmach has proven true to his word, putting the "Ed" back in Edmonton.
- Conservatives' Calgary fortress resists change
- The Progressive Conservatives' fortress in Calgary stood strong as the party took 18 of the city's 23 ridings Monday night.
