[Platinum107]

This is a false dichotomy. We also "spend" limited resources through the opportunity cost of not collecting revenue. It is reasonable to discuss generating sufficient revenue to have schools, hospitals AND trains.

100%. Alberta has the money for this to not be an either/or issue, and I feel like any outward statement of a "tight budget" is just a political move at this point.

 

[BASE]

While WTI prices did have a bit of a rough day today I am confident TMX allowing for expanded production is going to be a boon for provincial coffers. Some of these rail projects are about striking now to set us up for the future and improving the value proposition for those that have recently or yet to arrive in this province.

 

[David A]

I think some of the letters speak for a lot of people. Population mobility is important for a growing population. However, schools and health care are also high priority.

Lets not forget that the recently yet again cancelled Edmonton hospital, badly needed because population here has doubled since the last one was built over 30 years ago, was cancelled because it was too expensive.

Yet, this project will be probably be far more expensive that that. So I don't think politically that will go over very well.

 

[yeggator]

Is that a rhetorical question? There is nothing "positive" about this project. In case you haven't noticed NOTHING this Premiere does or say or promises will benefit YEG in any way. Her whole spin on the rail, I promise you, is to get "trains" to YYC and run them to Banff. That is absolutely it. All the other phoney baloney she seeps is BS for YEG. She has no interest in benefitting us at all!

So you think she'll cancel a $4.9Billion hospital to spend that same amount X 5 to run trains? Sure she'll spend whatever it takes to get Japanese bullet trains to her beloved YYC and Banff gates, like @Yeggy says - "a rouse just to get trains to YYC, than she'll squash any YEG plans. Haven't we all learned our lesson from this crazy C**T?! She's nuts and will do everything in her power to ruin YEG.

Honestly man, this whole "UCP is out to destroy Edmonton" rhetoric is tiring. Even if she ends up half-assing the master plan and only building regional rail from YYC to Banff, while I will be livid beyond belief, it's not like we won't benefit. I go to Banff regularly, but I'd much rather take the train into Banff from Calgary than drive, even if it means I have to park my car in Calgary. And truth be told, I think it's more likely than not that if she bothers to arrange passenger rail on the CPKC corridor into Banff - which, may I remind you, will require some investment into double tracking many portions of the alignment - she'll more likely than not also put in the effort to support the high-speed rail project, especially when there are private firms interested in the project.

 

[David A]

Smith excels at performative politics, much like our PM, except hers leans right. Big announcements then nothing much happens.

I expect she will continue to dangle this carrot for Calgary, but would not be surprised if not much happens. Of course, I expect her to do even less for Edmonton.

 

[EdmTrekker]

Honestly man, this whole "UCP is out to destroy Edmonton" rhetoric is tiring. Even if she ends up half-assing the master plan and only building regional rail from YYC to Banff, while I will be livid beyond belief, it's not like we won't benefit. I go to Banff regularly, but I'd much rather take the train into Banff from Calgary than drive, even if it means I have to park my car in Calgary. And truth be told, I think it's more likely than not that if she bothers to arrange passenger rail on the CPKC corridor into Banff - which, may I remind you, will require some investment into double tracking many portions of the alignment - she'll more likely than not also put in the effort to support the high-speed rail project, especially when there are private firms interested in the project.

You go girl.