Going beyond environmental policies, the Alberta Greens highlighted subsidized housing and paid tuition for health-care students in the launch of the party's election platform.
Alberta Greens Leader George Read unveils his party's platform Tuesday.
(CBC)
"What we're going to do for Albertans is we're going to make them happier. We're going to make them healthier. We're going to make them wealthier and we're going to guarantee it," party leader George Read said Tuesday in Calgary.
To tackle affordable housing in the province, Read proposed a model of subsidized housing used in Vancouver.
"They've built subsidized housing and then they've given it to housing co-operatives or non-profit organizations to maintain. And that's what we need to do here," he said.
"Because the truth of the matter is, this government sold off our subsidized housing and created the housing crisis we're in."
On health care, the Greens said they would pay the tuition of those studying to become health-care professionals — if they promise to remain in the province for seven years after they graduate.
'What we're going to do for Albertans is we're going to make them happier. We're going to make them healthier.'
—George Read, Alberta Greens
The governing Conservatives are promising to train more health-care workers and eliminate health premiums over four years.
"It's wonderful that we're going to have doctors and it's wonderful my health-care premiums are going to go back, but you know what, if the bulk of them are still going to the United States, then I still don't have a doctor," said Read, 35.
Alberta Greens would invest in rail
The party would also institute a province-wide transportation plan focusing on rail lines, including light-rail transit, commuter trains and high-speed rail, because they use 20 per cent less fuel than vehicles on roads.
Read said he believes his party is attracting unhappy voters from all parts of the political spectrum.
So far, the party has 62 confirmed candidates but Read said he hopes they will be running a full slate of 83 by the March 3 election.
The party garnered about 2.8 per cent of votes in the 2004 provincial election. No Green Party candidate has yet been elected to Alberta legislature.
Related
Internal Links
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
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.
