David Swann on the Departure of Dave Taylor from the Alberta Liberal Caucus

As reported in the media this morning, Dave Taylor has decided to leave the Alberta Liberal Caucus and sit as an independent MLA.

The choice was his; it’s unfortunate that our caucus members learned of it through the media, and we regret that he chose this course of action without speaking to us first.

Dave has always done what he feels best to work toward better governance in Alberta. While I thoroughly reject his characterization of my leadership and the potential of the Alberta Liberals, I respect his right to make his opinion known. Freedom of speech is one of the great Liberal values.

We remain committed to our new oil and gas policy.

Philosophically and politically, we remain the same Liberals today that we were yesterday, and we hope that Dave continues to represent Calgary-Currie with the same Liberal values that allowed his election. The Official Opposition will continue to serve as a centrist, progressive alternative to the incompetence of the Stelmach Tories and the extreme views of other opposition parties.

12 April 2010

Statement on Dave Taylor’s decision to leave the Alberta Liberal Caucus:

We regret that Dave Taylor has decided to leave the Alberta Liberal Caucus. We wish him good luck as an Independent MLA and will be consulting with the local Liberal constituency association in Calgary-Currie in the coming days as to next steps.

The Alberta Liberal Oil and Gas Policy introduced earlier this year has been welcomed by that sector and we have every intention of continuing with that policy. Our Leader, David Swann will announce the new Energy Critic in the coming days and we look forward to further consultation with industry on the policy.

The Alberta Liberal Party achieved excellent fundraising results last year and we are planning for our best ever policy convention and AGM in May. That planning will continue and that is our focus right now.

The strength of the Alberta Liberal Party lies with its membership and the values it represents, not with any single member. We are preparing for the next election and assembling the best slate of candidates this province has ever seen. We are steadfast in our determination to provide a REAL alternative to the Tory government.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Tony Sansotta, President of the Alberta Liberal Party

2 April 2010

Swann supporters gather for major donors’ event

by Harris Kirshenbaum

On the evening of March 31, supporters of David Swann in his Calgary-Mountainview riding gathered for their annual major donors’ reception to exchange ideas on the future of the province, the future of the Alberta Liberal Party, and to hear the plans for how their generous donations will support David in the next election.

David’s address covered the central points of the ongoing Liberal platform, with strong references to the ongoing failures of the fading Tory regime in health care, education and environment. In each case he outlined how things will be better handled under the next, Liberal government.

This year’s invitation-only event was held at Muse Restaurant in Kensington, and was, as always, well attended by those whose support makes it all possible. Calgary Mountainview is again well-positioned to put forward a strong showing in the next election.

The Board of the Calgary-Mountainview ALP constituency again thanks each of the major donors whose ongoing support is so important.

David Swann’s speech:

I want to thank my wonderful and faithful Calgary Mountainview Constituency Association, most with me the full five years that I’ve been elected to the Alberta Legislature. I am very grateful for the privilege to
serve this Calgary riding and now to lead the Alberta Liberals. What an experience! I love this place, Alberta, and I am more passionate than ever about achieving its potential; potential for excellence in business and innovation, potential for a cost-effective and accessible public health system; potential for preservation of our natural capital in our public lands and parks; potential for our children in a responsibly funded post-secondary education system; and potential for a more business-like approach to managing the public purse.

I believe we have an unparalleled opportunity to change government in 2012. An election could, in fact, be just 12 months away if Mr Stelmach and his tired Tories continue to lose ground to the WRA. We must be
ready; we must have our volunteers, finances and candidates ready in the next 6 months. Tony Sansotta, I and the Party are working tirelessly to achieve this and we’re on our way to eliminating our debt this
year- now a net debt of $90,000. You have given much already but I must ask you to consider a next step. Please help us bring in a few new members, volunteer in your constituency and consider being a candidate. The Party office can help focus your energies if you are willing. It’s a great experience - really!

Again my heartfelt thanks at this time of both opportunity and great challenge in Alberta’s political scene. We deserve better government and I want to lead it. Let’s go for an Alberta Liberal government by 2012. Alberta needs a doctor!

11 March 2010

Letter to Constituency Presidents from the VP-Policy

As many of you are aware, the upcoming convention of the Alberta Liberal Party in Edmonton will be a policy convention. Members will be asked to debate and ratify policy positions of the party.

But, without your help, there will be nothing to debate. As a grassroots organization, policy is driven from the local associations and party commissions. To that end, I, and the rest of the ALP executive, are hoping that you can call a meeting of your association and submit up to two policy proposals to be considered at the convention. Your proposals may be submitted in the framework that has been attached and must be received before April 7th.

The process you choose is entirely up to your constituency association. It can be a meeting of the Board of Directors, an AGM, or a call to all members, asking them to attend a special meeting.

After the resolutions are received, they will be consolidated by the policy committee. This is a process that involves combining like resolutions and proofing them for format, etc., amending them rather than rejecting them where necessary and possible.

The complete package of policy proposals will then be sent out to your associations on or around April 21st. Your associations may want to meet again to discuss the full package of resolutions to be considered, ahead of the May convention.

Ultimately, these resolutions will be discussed in breakout sessions at the convention, where amendments may be proposed, before being presented to the Annual General Meeting.

At the General Meeting, resolutions will need a mover and a seconder on the convention floor, and the sponsoring Constituency Association will appoint a person to speak to the resolution.

The general assembly of the party will also be asked to consider a new policy framework, which I¹ve also attached for discussion.

Debbie Cavaliere, VP-Policy

31 December 2009

Statement from David Swann on recent loss of lives in Afghanistan

The news yesterday of Calgary Herald reporter Michelle Lang and four Canadian soldiers’ death in Afghanistan has hit particularly close to home.

I’ve had the good fortune to talk and work with Michelle many times as she covered health issues in Alberta and experience her determination to get at the facts of each and every story. She asked all the right questions, sifted through the information with a commitment to the truth in complex situations of controversy. It stands to reason that she would take that same journalistic integrity with her to Afghanistan and find herself in harm’s way to get at the truth. Michelle was a wonderful and courageous woman and I, and my Caucus colleagues, will miss her greatly, as will all citizens who value journalistic integrity.

My thoughts are with Michelle’s family and friends, and also with the families of the as yet unnamed Canadian soldiers who were also killed. I extend my personal, heartfelt wishes of hope and healing to all.

David Swann, MD