"Fellow Albertans,

This government will strive to be the servant of Albertans, not their master. This government will thoughtfully consider its proper role, and will limit itself to those tasks that cannot be performed well - or which cannot be performed at all - by individuals, families, businesses and voluntary associations.

As a servant of Albertans, this government's first priority will be to strengthen democracy by giving Albertans a direct say on issues of concern to them. This government will introduce legislation giving Albertans the right to initiate and vote in referendums on issues of their choosing. No longer will citizens' input be limited to placing an "x" on a ballot once every four years. No longer will issues of public concern take a back seat to personality politics. This legislation will create a healthy, vibrant democracy. It will be one in which Albertans can debate questions which affect their everyday lives.

As a servant of Albertans, this government will protect taxpayers from being subjected to an ever-larger tax burden. It is unfair and unjust - and entirely unnecessary - that taxes have become the single largest item in a family's budget. It is not acceptable that families now pay more in taxes than what they pay for food or clothing, or for the rent or mortgage. This government will introduce legislation requiring the approval of Albertans in a province-wide referendum for any tax increases and new taxes. Taxpayer protection legislation will also apply to Alberta's cities, towns, and rural districts with respect to municipal taxes.

This government will also introduce spending control legislation, to limit growth in government spending to Alberta's population growth and inflation. Alberta's population has grown by 14% in the past seven years. Yet spending on government programs has risen 70% in that same period of time. These massive spending increases led to tax increases in 2002. They are unacceptable to taxpayers.

As a first step to helping parents save for their children's education, this government will abolish the health care premium tax. This will allow all Alberta families to keep an additional $1,056 per year of their own earnings. Tax relief should benefit all Alberta families, not just a select few.

This government will respect the personal choices of Albertans in matters of language, culture, art, entertainment, sports and recreation. This government recognizes that it has no money of its own, and that every dollar it spends was first taken - directly or indirectly - from taxpayers. No longer will this government pretend to provide funding for cultural and recreational endeavours, when this so-called funding is, in fact, merely the re-distribution of money taken from taxpayers. Lower taxes will empower Albertans to spend more money than ever before on sports, recreation, entertainment and the arts.

This government will improve public education by rewarding excellent teachers with merit pay, and by empowering parents with more choice as to the kind of education they want for their children.

This government trusts the talent and the compassion of Albertans. As individuals, in families, and through voluntary associations, Albertans will continue to create prosperity for themselves and their children.

God bless Alberta. God save the Queen."