NDP enlists former ATB economist to advise on how best to use surplus
SMART MOVE-HIGHLY REPUTABLE ON BAY ST.
Former ATB chief economist Todd Hirsch has been recruited by the Alberta NDP to advise on economic policy ahead of the 2023 provincial election.
Todd Hirsch, former vice-president and chief economist for ATB Financial,
Former ATB chief economist Todd Hirsch has been recruited by the Alberta NDP to advise on economic policy ahead of the 2023 provincial election.
Todd Hirsch, former vice-president and chief economist for ATB Financial,
The official Opposition party introduced him Friday morning at a news conference in Edmonton before the party convention in Calgary this weekend, and an hour before Premier Danielle Smith announced her new cabinet .
Specifically, Hirsch will look into the best ways to save and invest the surplus dollars from current high oil prices.
“In the scope of how best to use the surplus to position Alberta for both a sustainable fiscal structure, as well as addressing the concerns around affordability and the crisis in so many of our public services and the need to move toward diversification,” said NDP Leader Rachel Notley. “We’re giving Todd a pretty wide ranging room to give us those recommendations.”
Hirsch spent 15 years in his role with ATB and another nine years teaching public finance at the University of Calgary. He said he has expertise on the subject that goes beyond party politics.
“I don’t see it so much as a partisan job, rather I see this as a responsibility as an Albertan,” he said.
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Notley said Albertans are not seeing the benefits of the spike in oil prices, pointing to a lack of reinvestment by the sector, wait times at hospitals, shortfalls in ambulance service and rising cost of living against a lack of growth in salaries that lags much of the rest of the country.
These issues will be front and centre at the NDP convention, which runs through Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Building a Better Economic Future will take centre stage on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon the party will address health care. Manitoba NDP Leader Wab Kinew will be the keynote speaker Saturday night.
MLA Joe Ceci and Julia Hayter, candidate for Calgary Edgemont prepare for the main event scheduled for Friday night at the NDP convention in downtown Calgary.
Notley said this should be the biggest convention in the history of the NDP in Alberta. It will be the first chance for many candidates in the next election to meet in person to discuss issues.
“We look forward to engaging in a good conversation about the vision we want to present to Albertans as we head toward the next election,” said Notley. “I know that a lot of the conversation will be focused on matters of addressing the affordability crisis that so many Albertans are facing, addressing the crisis in our health-care system that keeps so many families up at night, and ensuring that we build a resilient jobs economy.”
The party will also spend time Saturday evening discussing inclusivity.
The NDP came under fire in June from their own members, with calls for an independent investigation into how internal harassment complaints are dealt with following allegations of mistreatment and verbal abuse by staff. There were also concerns with how candidates were being picked in nomination races, while constituency presidents said they were being left out of the loop on issues.
On Friday, Notley said there was a high level of unity in the party and that a report by the investigating team has been prepared and discussed by the executive council.
jaldrich@postmedia.com
Twitter: @JoshAldrich03
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