Wednesday's letters: UCP tax cut didn't create jobs
Edmonton Journal 

© Provided by Edmonton Journal Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks in Calgary on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 about the the plan to kick-start construction on the Keystone XL pipeline. WHICH HE INVESTED ALBERTA TAX DOLLARS IN AND THE AMERICANS CANCELED IT.

Re. “UCP’s focus on jobs, economy in new session of legislature,” Oct. 25

The last time the UCP spent on job creation, it gifted a corporate tax cut with no accountability for creating a single job. Economic research shows that these non-transparent subsidies generally just go to the rich as stock dividends, CEO bonuses and stock buybacks.

Corporate tax cuts without job creation, paid for by cutting public-service jobs: do the math for net jobs.

Frank Jenkins, Edmonton

No sympathy for jobless anti-vaxxers

Chris Selley’s Oct. 23 article has me diving back in to a debate that I wish none of us had to even entertain. We are in a pandemic. As a result, many of the rights and freedoms that we have all enjoyed have been rightfully pushed aside for the greater health of all of us.

I am done listening to anti-vaxxers rant and rave about their rights. I am done worrying about how our hospitals are now filled with sick anti-vaxxers and that vaccinated folks who need surgery cannot get it because our ICUs are filled with the unvaccinated.

If you do not get vaccinated, you will likely lose your job. No employment insurance for you. You will be unable to travel or go to a concert or cafe. You will be outcast by the majority of people who have recognized that the health of our fellow human beings, worldwide, depends on all of us getting vaccinated and following health safety protocols.

I am beyond disgusted with the selfishness of those who continue to resist being vaccinated. Outcast? Too bad. Lost your job and now no EI? Too bad. These are simply the consequences of your actions, or lack of them. Expect no sympathy from me and many others.

Carol Alexander, Edmonton

Transparency goes both ways

Re. “We can’t trust what Canadian green groups say,” David Staples, Oct. 22

David Staples argues that you can’t trust what the so-called green groups say if you don’t know who is paying them to say it and pulling their strings. That seems fair enough. But I wonder what he has to say about the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. Do we know who is funding that group? Fairness goes both ways.

Perhaps Mr. Staples should also clarify that he receives no funding and has no one pulling his strings for the positions he takes.

Don Davidson, Edmonton

Better uses for inquiry funding

So the overdue, over-budget $3.5-million report on foreign-funded activists came to the startling conclusion that there was no suggestion of wrongdoing and environmental groups were entitled to exercise their right to free speech. The report also panned the energy war room with its $12-million budget (reduced from $30 million) for its less-than-stellar reputation and numerous missteps.

It’s time for the UCP to stop placing blame for Alberta’s problems on third parties and start spending money where it will benefit Albertans. Just think of how many hip and knee replacements or MRIs this money could fund.

John Campbell, Edmonton