tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213306422024-03-13T08:33:56.373-07:00Our Alberta AdvantageWILD ROSE COUNTRYUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-7929489983077114982008-08-13T09:04:00.000-07:002008-08-13T09:06:20.507-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">NOTE: Phone Number Change</span><br /><br />We have switched phone numbers.<br /><br />Those trying to reach us will find our new number at<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (403) 528-3768.<br /><br /></span>Thanks to all who are supporting this project.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-83860378793573277242008-07-17T01:51:00.000-07:002008-08-13T09:03:41.646-07:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE FILM-MAKING CONTINUES</span><br /><br />We have a few more interviews to do with Albertan's around the Edmonton area. We then have some background shoots to re-do.<br /><br />Editing is also underway. A sample of the introduction will soon be available on this site.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpS4DU4pxyFReVJEr7JWdiCefNBvYruHqSxTCJf-TkMBdD7LpI7Tm6_-K_CHMdabcWZvzAeLnZWFp9SvWp_0c-ZeepI8BYUAZb8sAENdvkbql1EqqMMqHfsLNy_Li_v7efyb_/s1600-h/filming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpS4DU4pxyFReVJEr7JWdiCefNBvYruHqSxTCJf-TkMBdD7LpI7Tm6_-K_CHMdabcWZvzAeLnZWFp9SvWp_0c-ZeepI8BYUAZb8sAENdvkbql1EqqMMqHfsLNy_Li_v7efyb_/s200/filming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142837591807042290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">These are the main points that the documentary is examining:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1)</span> In the mid 1990s, Alberta set up specific policies on tax levels and government fiscal responsibility to try and improve the economy. These policies developed an atmosphere that welcomed investment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2)</span> Investors took interest in Alberta and the inflow of capital revived the economy making Alberta into one of the leading economic performers in North America. This performance peaked in 2006 at levels that were comparable to the Chinese economy (According to Stats Canada).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3)</span> Starting in 2007, Alberta's economy has seen a fairly sharp cooling off marked by a drop in license acquisitions for energy resource development, falling house prices and other indicators. What makes this slowdown of note is that energy prices have risen to exceptionally high levels during the time that Alberta's economy has softened.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4)</span> What is the cause of this counter-intuitive economic pull back? Could it be high resource development costs in Alberta? Could it be the shortage of labor?<br /><br />The documentary examines these and other possible causes for Alberta's slow down.<br /><br />The conclusion reached is that the only reasonable cause is the province's adoption of the Alberta Royalty Review Proposals that will significantly add to the cost load on resource development. This has stripped the province of the advantage it enjoyed in attracting new investment.<br /><br />The documentary also examines the possible future for Alberta after the new royalty rates take effect on Jan 1st 2009.<br /><br />Call 403-528-3738 to support this project.<br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-4212669491850333692008-06-18T10:01:00.001-07:002008-08-13T09:04:15.553-07:00Our province is a great place to live and work. We are proud of Alberta and our heritage of hard work and sensible leadership that made our province the North American leader in economic prosperity and opportunity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQunxPCLYDMT45kzDcr2CCpk5_8ydRbimDZXc8kTuJ8HyYZJtXV6dYGoFws32iaiyD8BmzqC0z6TkcQT5msKIrtGcSLqUtQOp6itmJ4PjzLN-vVrq2HqP3cXiThFH7iqEgqXJe/s1600-h/interview.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQunxPCLYDMT45kzDcr2CCpk5_8ydRbimDZXc8kTuJ8HyYZJtXV6dYGoFws32iaiyD8BmzqC0z6TkcQT5msKIrtGcSLqUtQOp6itmJ4PjzLN-vVrq2HqP3cXiThFH7iqEgqXJe/s200/interview.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134973441102050978" border="0" /></a>Recently we have seen politicians chose a new path for our province that seems to be dissolving the advantage that we Albertans worked so hard to gain.<br /><br />With the royalty review proposals that were adopted by our provincial Government, we are already seeing many Albertans lose their dreams for themselves and their families. Unemployment, once unheard of in our province, is now on the rise while jobs that were once well-paying are now retreating to minimum wage.<br /><br />The Alberta Royalty Documentary Project is an effort to capture the true scope of the effects of the Royalty Review decision.<br /><br />The main question being asked is whether our Premier's plan to 'secure Alberta's future' is a plan that is good for Alberta or whether it will ultimately cripple our province's prosperity and the opportunities that exist here.<br /><br />Please contact us at (403) 528-3768 to get involved in this documentary project.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-58565684371284951082008-02-13T10:44:00.000-08:002008-02-13T10:54:20.331-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LATEST OILSANDS LEASE AUCTION YIELDS $150,000</span><br /><br />2008 is starting off poorly for Alberta oilsands with leases yielding a fraction of the amount of revenue that was typical of recent lease purchases.<br /><br />So far this year, a total of $25,000,000 in leases have been auctioned with the last auction showing only $150,000 having been acquired by investors.<br /><br />This is in contrast with the $138,000,000 last year and $846,000,000 the year before.<br /><br />Here is the <a href="http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/calgarybusiness/story.html?id=7fc4dcf9-d8c6-48f4-94ef-3ca8aa36c4d1&k=92638">Calgary Herald article</a>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-76076492132912066632008-02-05T10:37:00.000-08:002008-02-05T10:38:54.932-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;">ELECTION CALLED<br /><br />The Premier of Alberta has called an election for March 3rd 2008.<br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-89066288123661954442008-02-04T10:49:00.000-08:002008-02-04T12:43:22.307-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HOUSING STARTS DOWN AS PEOPLE LEAVE ALBERTA</span><br /><br />Premier Ed Stelmach seems likely to call an election for March 3rd 2008.<br /><br />As <a href="http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=359efcf9-b035-4b71-b0ba-616ac96e7743&k=60577">this Edmonton Journal</a> article points out, the Premier is facing a softening Alberta economy as investment slows and people start returning to home provinces that are now booming.<br /><br />With much of his spending plans aimed at preparing Alberta for future growth, it may appear moot as Alberta's economy slows down and population growth rates taper off.<br /><br />The fact that neighbouring provinces are booming while Alberta languishes may point negatively to the leadership of the Premier who made changes to the tax structure of Alberta's main economic engine.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-40621538208890076562008-01-25T11:57:00.001-08:002008-01-25T12:04:54.062-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">PREMIER ADVISED TO BACK AWAY FROM CALLING ELECTION</span><br /><br />Political expert from University of Calgary, Don Braid, is advising Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach not to go ahead with the February election call.<br /><br />The numbers for the Tories are very unfavorable in all areas of public policy ranging from the Royalty Review scheme to low cost housing.<br /><br />Here is the link to the <a href="http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/columnists/story.html?id=771a7e26-70b6-42a4-a099-a6e0c392c15d">Calgary Herald article.</a><br /><br />Having turned his natural constituency against him and not doing enough to please the non-conservatives, the Premier finds himself with few friends.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-22055593468900769942008-01-04T14:19:00.000-08:002008-01-04T14:57:06.087-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ALBERTA DRILLING FALLS</span><br />_________________________________________<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> 2007 2008</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">820 900 </span><span style="font-size:130%;">British Columbia (up 9%) </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">12,800 9,575 </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Alberta (down 26%)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"> 3,505 3,600 </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Saskatchewan (up 3%)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">340 350 </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Manitoba (up 3%) </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Source: Petroleum Services Association of Canada</span><br />_________________________________________</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">One of these things is not like the others. Can you find it?<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Alberta is the only province in Western Canada that is predicted to see a fall in drilling levels for 2008.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This disparity may indicate that the Royalty Review Proposals that Alberta politicians adopted are the leading cause of the marked slow down of Alberta's drilling activity.</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;">Factors such as gas prices and the weak US dollar are common to all jurisdictions and so it is fairly reasonable to connect the Royalty Review to the fall in Alberta's drilling because it is the only significant variable that changed.<br /><br />As I work on the documentary "How to Kill a Wild Rose", I am perplexed by the loud claims that the Royalty Review panel and the political leadership made defending the Royalty Review on the grounds that it would cause no harm to the economy of Alberta. The reason given for their confidence was that the proposals were very carefully constructed.<br /><br />I cannot in my wildest imagining understand how such a careful study of the oil and gas industry would have failed to foresee the weakness that was emerging in the gas fields and in the overall Alberta economy.<br /><br />Either the Alberta Royalty Review Panel and the politicians are incompetent or they were being deceptive in their claim that the Royalty Review would not harm the Alberta economy.<br /><br />I intend to find out by the time I wrap the production.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-39549817384092298972008-01-02T10:33:00.001-08:002008-01-02T10:33:48.788-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR EVERYONE</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-85832937087371334632007-12-20T11:59:00.000-08:002007-12-24T19:16:14.904-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BNN</span></span> INTERVIEW WENT WELL</strong></span><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://broadband.bnn.ca/bnn/?id=2223&vid=25057"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147621308506651298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVwH3yAewtzbG0NE5UfEnJ3HXgAE62VffKnKFCcMU0J_n5_D_dC9pFQydaWNOYyBzXmsHUW5Wg0NmWeKDB6phpAfbLTONpM3Opd0mIo5Iow7O7ZxXHzzhiQjo-BMDHP-5EhA7/s400/BNN.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">One idea that came up was the notion that Albertans own all the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">resources</span> in Alberta and therefore Albertans can ask whatever royalties they wish.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The answer to the question is that resources that lie underground in the form of oily sand are useless to everyone. The resource only becomes useful when someone invests money to take it out of the ground and process it. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Albertans</span> benefit very strongly when investors bring money to develop resources. Unemployment goes down, wages go up, tax dollars go up, and the province becomes prosperous. If investors don't come to Alberta, the oil sits in the ground and benefits nobody.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The question is this; When do investors come to invest in a province? </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">They come when it is economically feasible to come and this is usually when <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">resource</span> prices are high and government taxes and royalties are low.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Alberta royalties were low and therefore many investors came to Alberta. Alberta <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">benefited</span> from this investment so strongly that Alberta's provincial debt of $22.7 billion was paid off, Alberta's unemployment rate sank the lowest in North America and the employment rate rose to the highest in North America. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">With the current crop of politicians saying that they want to make taxes high, investors will go elsewhere and all the benefits will slowly wind down and leave Alberta back where it started...with debt, rising unemployment and lack of opportunity.</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-82227786323379203222007-12-19T08:31:00.000-08:002007-12-19T10:21:09.073-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BNN TO CARRY A SPOT ON DOCUMENTARY PROJECT</span><br /><br />The Business News Network is going to do a spot with our producer Thursday Dec 20th around 10.30 am.<br /><br />Try catch it.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-30378996729706900762007-12-12T12:03:00.000-08:002007-12-12T14:58:26.864-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ENERGY INVESTMENT BROKER RESIGNS</span><br /><br />This is a harbinger of things to come I'm afraid.<br /><br />Rick Grafton, a pioneering investment broker in Alberta's energy industry, is walking away from his job as vice-chairman of Canaccord Adams Inc.<br /><br />He said that<span style="font-weight: bold;"> "investors are so turned off that they won't even meet with anyone from the oilpatch."<br /><br /></span>Wow.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Already this phenomenon is visible in the share prices of Alberta Energy companies and it sounds like there is a free fall in investment interest.<br /><br />As we interview people across the spectrum of the Alberta economy, it would probably be interesting to talk to him about what he is seeing in the capital investment world that Premier Stelmach does not seem willing to address.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-82037504815330869732007-12-11T14:25:00.000-08:002007-12-11T14:42:14.569-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CALLS NOT RETURNED</span><br /><br />In a weird way, our documentary effort has become sort of Michael Moore-ish. As we gather opinions from Albertans, we are trying to get some thoughts from MLAs (Provincial Government Representatives) and we are not getting any responses to our calls. We might have to record some of the run-around we are getting.<br /><br />I discovered that when you record the process of trying to reach a person who is not returning your calls, it makes the person look really incompetent and cowardly.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">No wonder Michael Moore loves using footage like that in his movies. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />If there are any government representatives reading this, please return our calls. We are very interested in talking to you.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-25805916709876786802007-12-11T13:40:00.000-08:002007-12-11T13:57:15.163-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FILMING CONTINUES</span><br /><br />The documentary is on track to complete shooting in two weeks.<br /><br />We have a few more interviews to do with Albertans and then its a wrap.<br /><br />The weather has eased up and given us some excellent outdoor shots.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpS4DU4pxyFReVJEr7JWdiCefNBvYruHqSxTCJf-TkMBdD7LpI7Tm6_-K_CHMdabcWZvzAeLnZWFp9SvWp_0c-ZeepI8BYUAZb8sAENdvkbql1EqqMMqHfsLNy_Li_v7efyb_/s1600-h/filming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpS4DU4pxyFReVJEr7JWdiCefNBvYruHqSxTCJf-TkMBdD7LpI7Tm6_-K_CHMdabcWZvzAeLnZWFp9SvWp_0c-ZeepI8BYUAZb8sAENdvkbql1EqqMMqHfsLNy_Li_v7efyb_/s200/filming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142837591807042290" border="0" /></a>The latest news out is that Lyle Oberg who has stood in opposition to the Royalty Review within the government has been left out of cabinet and will probably resign.<br /><br />We are hoping to hear from him to learn of what his plans are.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-82270509895613087542007-12-07T08:19:00.000-08:002007-12-07T11:45:55.548-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BAIT AND SWITCH</span><br /><br />One of the issues that is coming to the forefront in the debate over the Royalty Review Proposals is Alberta's credibility as a place to invest.<br /><br />In Canada, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">it is against the law to lure people into your store with a low advertised price for an item only to charge them a higher price once they are in the store. This unfair practice is called 'bait and switch'.<br /><br />Alberta, under Premier Stelmach, has pulled a bait and switch on investors.<br /><br />During the late 1980s, Alberta was suffering from a lingering economic slowdown. The government was running a significant deficit and a massive debt load. The only way that was feasible for Alberta to regain its footing was to encourage investment in its oil fields.<br /><br />Through the nineties, Alberta set up tax rates and royalty rates that were attractive to investors and they came into Alberta's economy in droves.<br /><br />Alberta's fortunes changed rapidly with the province becoming completely debt free in 2003 and unemployment dropping to almost impossible numbers. On top of that, Alberta absorbed huge numbers of people from the rest of Canada and the world.<br /><br />Alberta's future was indeed looking secure.<br /><br />Suddenly, a switch occurred. Now that it had investors in the province developing the resources, Alberta decided to change the terms. People who had come to invest in Alberta believing that the royalty rates were set at a certain level, found themselves trying to deal with royalty rates being set at a different level.<br /><br />A classic bait and switch.<br /><br />I don't believe Albertans want to be party to a practice that is considered illegal in their own country.<br /><br />I hope not.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-87894106083133091342007-12-07T08:12:00.000-08:002007-12-07T08:18:09.305-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ALBERTA'S PREMIER IS GETTING LETTERS</span><br /><br />There is probably a frenzy of letters being sent to the Premier of Alberta.<br /><br />Here is an example of such letters that are making their way to Premier Stelmach's office.<br /></span> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">Dear Premier Stelmach,<br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">Your remarks to “Dear Friends” in the latest PCAlberta Newsletter show a lack of understanding of the oil and gas business and of the “predictability and stability” investors look for to feel comfortable investing. <br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">First of all, changing royalty rates on existing leases and agreements after companies have risked billions of dollars based on economics dependent on such leases and agreements does not provide predictability and stability.<br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">Secondly, as royalties are a percentage of the oil and gas price, they already go up when prices go up and down when prices come off.<br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">Thirdly, taking an additional 20% <u>off the top</u> can, depending on operating costs, increase the royalty to 100% of the net operating revenue. Beyond operating costs there are the drilling and equipping costs to recover, not to mention the cost of dry holes. You have made special allowances for deep gas wells. What about costly, risky, potentially high productivity oil wells? In my view it is not “fair,” or economically prudent, for the government to take more than 30% off the top, no matter what the commodity price level. What incentive is there for a company to drill in a marginal price environment if the potential up side of higher prices down the road is clawed back by an increase in the percentage taken off the top? 30% of a higher number is already a higher number.<br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">The oil sands, which are no longer in the R&D stage, can possibly bear more than a 1% royalty before payout. But that should not apply to those companies (Suncor and Syncrude) that have risked billions as pioneers.<br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">With respect I believe there are major adjustments required to your plan to have it make sense. The real danger to you and your government is that the reduction in investment that will result unless significant adjustments in both the mechanics of the plan and the underlying philosophy are forthcoming is that the treasury will not gain $1.4 billion dollars, but will receive less. Lower production will mean fewer royalties, and a slow down in the innumerable businesses dependent upon and benefiting from the oil and gas industry will pay less tax as will the employees that are laid off.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-CA">Yours truly,<br /></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">James A. Hutchison, C.A.</span></span></b></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-48966667960835439492007-12-04T16:41:00.000-08:002007-12-06T11:15:53.507-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ROYALTY DOCUMENTARY PROJECT ON CBC RADIO</span><br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">CBC </span>is going to interview the producer of the Alberta Royalty Documentary Project on Dec 5th at 7:30 am.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FKBT60sNZs2qV-Yr8Q4iRAcIIpvfrKao53ZohTxs_BgA42uAPcxiS95WVF11ypHPCJWM4-w7GxQkNevS_8myuA9M_1tcgX8LpVSwuTcHWkf-i0hgjbMkql3NTQC_C8WOGuTM/s1600-h/radiomike.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FKBT60sNZs2qV-Yr8Q4iRAcIIpvfrKao53ZohTxs_BgA42uAPcxiS95WVF11ypHPCJWM4-w7GxQkNevS_8myuA9M_1tcgX8LpVSwuTcHWkf-i0hgjbMkql3NTQC_C8WOGuTM/s320/radiomike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140352162952323810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />How cool is that?<br /><br />The CBC will probably ask questions related to the motivation behind making the documentary.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><br />Here is a preemptive answer to those questions: The motivation behind the making of this documentary is the desire to examine the effects that Alberta's recent adoption of the Royalty Review proposals is having on the lives of Albertans.<br /><br />When the proposals were first announced, Albertan polarized into two camps. One side felt that the Royalty Review proposals would have no effect on Alberta's booming economy while giving Albertans their fair share. The other side felt that the proposals would cripple Alberta's economy and cause more harm than good.<br /><br />The completed documentary should be able to demonstrate which camp was right by determining if there were indeed any changes in Alberta's economic performance that can be directly attributed to the adoption of the Royalty Review proposals.<br /><br />Wish us luck.<br /><br />There is an open call for interviews for those who want to voice opinions on the Royalty Review (Pro and Con).<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Suite 600 500 5th Ave SW</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Calgary<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-70400613112170036382007-12-03T08:43:00.000-08:002007-12-04T21:55:17.252-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">ALBERTA'S OILFIELD CAPITAL SPENDING TAKES A HIT<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QxecQhehGO331ksmkg5THQwuY-kDX04Jd3GLgpATLJYkb917OvUd28gK1BokgKqstm2eBawPbqW_1GwICrV3_0Yc5l4PZejc_BcxJgZWzXV_3WCbgyt97bErBBXDNCZ5fKOy/s1600-r/graph.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQPhzhdwB1ORJnXZHACqFOkjKiGhTv2kh0lhsekL71or8SFdooEMQTSg3FiyDrEJRh-pUSpHY8M3RYrJuEgFli_0yOmyudUukcRbMmYj6lQuqXm3iHh468yOwREGG24Dr2jvW/s400/graph.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139797497990816466" border="0" /></a><br />As the numbers come in for 2008, the Premier of Alberta has tried to deflect the reason for the large economic pull-back towards factors other than his Government's adoption of a new royalty regime.<br /><br />Pointing to the high dollar and moderate gas prices, the Premier said that the Royalty Review conducted by his government had nothing to do with the downturn marked by a drop of nearly 1/3rd of capital expenditure related to oil and gas in Alberta.<br /><br />With spending going down to 2000 levels, there is a serious problem related to the large influx of workers who moved into the province during the time between 2000 and 2007.<br /><br />Employment figures from oil and gas in 2000 show that 183,000 people were employed directly and indirectly by the the energy industry. By 2006, that number has climbed to 275,000. That is a differential of nearly 100,000 jobs.<br /><br />With a removal of a significant component of the funding of this work force, there is some concern that unemployment will rise sharply.<br /><a href="javascript:void(0)" tabindex="10" onclick="return false;"><span></span></a><br />(numbers taken from <a href="http://www.capp.ca/">CAPP</a>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-55341515260036668792007-11-30T08:53:00.000-08:002007-12-04T21:53:31.843-08:00<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Premier Says Royalty Framework Here to Stay</span><br /><br />Premier Ed Stelmach announced via his government <a href="http://www.premier.alberta.ca/">home page</a> that the new royalty framework was here to stay because a lot of work was put into it and his government is confident that the changes to the royalty rates is good for Alberta.<br /><br />Link to the audio <a href="http://www.premier.alberta.ca/media/2007_11_29_Premier_Royalty.mp3">announcement here</a>.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-2638675383249247102007-11-17T11:20:00.001-08:002007-12-04T21:39:39.676-08:00The Alberta Royalty Documentary ProjectOur province is a great place to live and work. We are proud of Alberta and our heritage of hard work and sensible leadership that made our province the North American leader in economic prosperity and opportunity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQunxPCLYDMT45kzDcr2CCpk5_8ydRbimDZXc8kTuJ8HyYZJtXV6dYGoFws32iaiyD8BmzqC0z6TkcQT5msKIrtGcSLqUtQOp6itmJ4PjzLN-vVrq2HqP3cXiThFH7iqEgqXJe/s1600-h/interview.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQunxPCLYDMT45kzDcr2CCpk5_8ydRbimDZXc8kTuJ8HyYZJtXV6dYGoFws32iaiyD8BmzqC0z6TkcQT5msKIrtGcSLqUtQOp6itmJ4PjzLN-vVrq2HqP3cXiThFH7iqEgqXJe/s200/interview.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134973441102050978" border="0" /></a>Recently we have seen politicians chose a new path for our province that seems to be dissolving the advantage that we Albertans worked so hard to gain.<br /><br />With the royalty review proposals that were adopted by our provincial Government, we are already seeing many Albertans lose their dreams for themselves and their families. Unemployment, once unheard of in our province, is now on the rise while jobs that were once well-paying are now retreating to minimum wage.<br /><br />The Alberta Royalty Documentary Project is an effort to capture the true scope of the effects of the Royalty Review decision.<br /><br />The main question being asked is whether our Premier's plan to 'secure Alberta's future' is a plan that is good for Alberta or whether it will ultimately cripple our province's prosperity and the opportunities that exist here.<br /><br />Please contact us at (403) 504-4646 to get involved in this documentary project.<br /><a href="javascript:void(0)" tabindex="10" onclick="return false;"><span></span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21330642.post-1137911577054646752006-01-21T22:31:00.000-08:002007-12-06T11:14:36.843-08:00Interview shooting scheduleOur project will start primary shooting on December 4th 2007 in Calgary.<br /><br />If you want to be part of this documentary project to give a perspective on what effects the Royalty Review is having on Albertans, please come to:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDmsnshOSeNACip_r5yFXRF-K7JjSKhap20ZV2LtEmQHEBslfBVYQHUmHMdDd4oeVHMEEQNfFt4B1tVdmGKjr6QYFH4b3-Pahyphenhyphens8a5P8HyEemFEFYnODsf-tRqkQtSesTLgzd/s1600-h/filming.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDmsnshOSeNACip_r5yFXRF-K7JjSKhap20ZV2LtEmQHEBslfBVYQHUmHMdDd4oeVHMEEQNfFt4B1tVdmGKjr6QYFH4b3-Pahyphenhyphens8a5P8HyEemFEFYnODsf-tRqkQtSesTLgzd/s200/filming.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135112310279632578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Earth Signal</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Suite 600 500 5th Ave SW</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Calgary Alberta<br /></span><br /><br /><br />We will start at 10:30 AM and end at 3:00 PM. Come any time and we will fit you in for a quick interview in a relaxed atmosphere.<br /><br />Each interview will start with 3 or 4 questions and each person will have an opportunity to give some thoughts on the state of our province.<br /><br />Watch this space for subsequent shooting schedules.<br /><br />Please call (403) 504-4646.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a general list of the questions that will be asked.</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1)</span> Introduction: What industry sector do you work in?<br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2)</span> Are you aware of the Royalty Rate changes that have </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> been adopted in Alberta?<br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3)</span> Can you comment whether you have experienced any changes </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> in your life and business (good or bad) that you feel may have been brought </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> about by the changes in the Royalty rates?<br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4)</span> The adoption of the Royalty Review Proposals was announced </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> under the heading "Securing Alberta's Future".<br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> Can you comment on what that means to you?<br /><br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Alternate Questions:<br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">5)</span> When releasing the details of the Royalty Review report, it was announced that </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> investment in Alberta would not be affected and that the economy would not </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> see any changes. </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> Would you agree with that based on you experience?<br /><br /></span></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">6)</span> In light of the changes that have been brought about as a result of the Royalty review, what is your personal feeling about the future of our Province? <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">or</span> Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about your life in the province?<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> 7) </span>Can you describe how the increased royalty rates as implemented will secure Alberta's future?<br /><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0