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GOVERNMENT: NDP’s ‘more affordable’ pitch - rent control, no condo conversion, no healthcare premium
        (AlbertaIndex, February 21, Thursday) --- Promising to make Alberta life more affordable as part of the NDP’s campaign for election on March 3, party leader Brian Mason has promised immediate action on housing and health care if it forms the next government.
        Accompanied by tenants facing steep rent increases, Mason has repeated his party’s call for rent control to be imposed in Calgary. He also wants to put an end to condo conversions and a program for first time home buyers.

Mason said Calgary now has the highest rents of any major city in Canada, including Vancouver and Toronto.

“Calgary renters have faced skyrocketing housing bills,” said Mason. “While the Conservatives ignored the matter, and the Liberals have dithered, only the NDP has a practical strategy to make housing more affordable.”

“The Liberals and Conservatives are on the side of the big landlords who contribute to their campaigns. We need to elect more NDP MLAs to stand up for families.”

Mason also demanded the immediate scrapping of the province’s unpopular health care premiums given Alberta’s projected doubling of its surplus to $4.2 billion for 2007-2008.

“The government finds itself billions of dollars richer due to high tax revenues,” said Mason.  “There is no reason we can’t scrap health care premiums right away, rather than wait four years as Ed Stelmach proposes.”

“Alberta families are looking for ways to make life more affordable,” said Mason.  “Scrapping health care fees right away would be a good start.”

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