Saturday’s letters: Nurses’ contract unreasonably generous

I don’t understand it so maybe somebody can explain. Alberta’s nurses were just handed a pay increase of 20 per cent over four years with an immediate increase of 15 per cent. They also received “significant” increases in on-call pay, charge pay and other areas. Can somebody explain why? These increases are not only outrageous but also unjustified. With the exception of Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon, who benefit from generous northern living allowances, Alberta’s nurses were already comfortably the highest-paid nurses in Canada.

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Add to that the fact that Alberta has the lowest taxes in Canada along with being one of the most affordable provinces to live and the question becomes, what can possibly justify these increases? As a taxpayer, I can find no reasonable rationale to support such unwarranted generosity. Shame on both of them for this contract.

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Bob Thompson, Edmonton

Copycat Liberals bereft of ideas

In this election, there is literally not one original, inspiring idea or policy of the Liberal Party that they have created themselves. The Liberals were held with a non-confidence vote gun to their head by the NDP and forced to implement both the NDP dental care and $10/day daycare. Every Liberal economic policy from axe the carbon tax, to the build-more-houses plan announced this week was identical to what the Conservatives announced six months ago.

The Liberal Party is acting like China and stealing every idea they can. Even when it comes to fighting Trump, the Liberal cupboard is bare for original ideas.  Trump put a tariff on Canadian-made cars, so Carney put a tariff on American-made cars. Please Canada, give your head a shake and vote for a party that can think for themselves. The copycat Liberals, who are mindless and void of new ideas, are only one step away from a complete mental collapse. Heaven help us if Eastern Canada makes them the government again.

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Chris Robertson, Stony Plain

Smith has unfinished business

Regarding our premier threatening a national unity crisis and a what’s next panel, I have a few requests regarding current unfinished business.

Release the complete results of the Alberta pension plan feedback. It matters. While awaiting investigations that could take years, release results of two investigations into procurement contracts completed by the independent firms PwC Canada and Borden Ladner Gervais. You know, the two reports that were not delivered because another AHS board was fired. Demonstrate you want the truth. Guarantee that any health-care worker or person with knowledge who brings forward pertinent information will not be fired for doing so.

If you truly believe diplomacy is the best and only strategy to deal with a duly elected president who is bypassing his Congress to impose tariffs that contravene a trade agreement he signed, are you willing and able to use the same sole strategy of diplomacy with whoever is duly elected as our prime minister? Because I need those answers before considering what’s next.

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S.M. Hogan, Edmonton

Letters welcome

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