The role of the official Opposition whether it be in provincial or federal politics is to hold the governing party accountable.
This doesn’t necessarily mean they have to oppose every move a government makes.
On an almost daily basis, we receive press releases from the United Conservative Party (UCP) and the Canadian Conservative Party of Canada condemning various actions the governing parties, are or are not doing — often we get several of these releases from the same party in one day.
Often the criticism is warranted, but often, in our opinion, it seems like it is more of a case of opposition for opposition’s sake.
Unfortunately, that is what we believe the United Conservative Party is doing when it condemned the provincial government for sending Highwood MLA Wayne Anderson’s private member’s bill, Employment Standards (Firefighter Leave) Amendment Act, to committee for further review.
The bill’ s purpose, as you will read on pages 3A and 5A is to allow part-time firefighters who have been employed for at least 90 days by the same employer, the ability to take occasional unpaid leave for when they are called upon to assist in fire services. The bill would also prohibit employers from refusing to employ part-time firefighters.
Anderson said by sending the bill for review they are essentially dooming it to die. If it does it would be the second time — in December 2016 he tried to introduce a similar bill, but it died on the order paper.
“Especially with fire season coming up soon, our volunteer firefighters should know that we have their back,” he said. “Regrettably, the NDP has once again chosen partisanship over common-sense.”
But our question is have they?
We agree on the face of it, the bill would be benefit rural volunteer fire departments. In Alberta, about 80 per cent of all firefighters are volunteers, or paid per call. If rural departments are not able to continue to recruit volunteers, their future is in jeopardy. If the volunteer model no longer is viable that would mean about 450 communities would either lose fire coverage, hire full-time professional firefighters, or a private contractor.
All of which, with the exception of going without fire coverage, are more-costly options and in all likelihood out of reach for most communities.
So why then would the NDP decide to move it to committee and, ask stakeholders for their input?
Quite simply it isn’t necessarily a slam-dunk. Barrhead Regional Fire Services chief John Whittaker isn’t sure the bill will have its desired impact. He says it could, but just as likely could end up hurting rural departments.
Town of Westlock fire chief Stuart Koflick said in an interview with our sister paper, the Westlock News, in December 2017 he also has reservations and so does Town of Barrhead council.
Does the bill merit discussion? Yes and this is something the Opposition shouldn’t be opposed to.
