What is the significance of the opening of the Spring Session of the Alberta Legislature on February 18

Whether the Legislature is in session or out of session doesn't really matter in Alberta, because all significant decisions are made behind the closed doors of the Progressive Conservative Caucus, the cabinet, the Premier's Office, and the Standing Policy Committees on which only Tory MLAs serve.

When was the last time that MLAs debated a significant bill inside Alberta's Legislature and the outcome of the vote on that bill was uncertain

During the next few weeks, Alberta's Tory majority will efficiently and methodically push over 20 government bills through the Legislature. After this, the bills become laws and start having a real impact on the lives of Albertans. Changes will be made to child welfare, the electricity industry, gas consumption, securities regulation, privacy protection, drug testing for prisoners, recreational access to public lands, and more.

Much vigorous debate about this legislation has probably taken place around the cabinet table, but none of it inside the Legislature. Close votes may have occurred, but only inside the Government Caucus or Standing Policy Committee. MLAs may have advocated vigorously for their constituents, but their constituents will never know. Eloquent points were probably made, but to a very small audience.

Unless the Spring 2003 session is radically different from recent years, don't expect to hear thoughtful debate in the Legislature on any of these government bills. You can count on Alberta's nine opposition MLAs to shout forth their usual warnings of immeasurable suffering, certain doom and the end of the world as we know it. But most "debate" consists of dramatic rhetoric rather than thoughtful argument.

The Legislature's beautiful and majestic architecture hides the fact that its only function in 2003 is that of a rubber stamp. Policies are presented to the Legislature as a neat-and-tidy legislative package for quick approval, while taxpayers have never had the opportunity to hear the arguments for and against these policies. You will never really know what your MLA said (or did not say) in caucus, or how she voted in her Standing Policy Committee meeting. This is why transparency and accountability are the missing elements of democracy in Alberta today.

Confidentiality does serve an important purpose in the democratic process. There is nothing wrong with cabinet meetings and caucus meetings being closed to the public. But there is something wrong when 99% of public policy debates (and votes!) taking place in secret. A healthy democracy allows constituents to know how their MLAs voted on issues, and to hold their MLAs accountable.

Fortunately, the door is open to Albertans to press their MLAs for the right to initiate and vote in referendums on important issues. A 2001 Environics poll revealed that 79% of Albertans want this kind of direct democracy legislation, which provides citizens in Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, British Columbia , and 23 American states with greater accountability.

Albertans can demand more transparency and accountability, and can replace a government which fails to provide it.