Cabinet ministers call Alberta Wildrose hypocritical over government debt

EDMONTON – Two Alberta cabinet ministers are firing back at the Wildrose Opposition for criticizing the government’s plan to take on debt to pay for big-ticket projects.

Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths says it’s hypocritical for the Wildrose to demand the government rein in spending, while the party also lobbies for projects in Wildrose constituencies.

Griffiths also says paying as you go for roads, schools and hospitals is simplistic — quote — “flea market” economics and not worthy of a large enterprise such as Alberta.

Transportation Minister Ric McIver says the Wildrose believes all problems are solved by pulling cash off some imaginary “money tree.”

The Wildrose wants a referendum on the issue, saying Premier Alison Redford didn’t campaign in the last election on a policy change that will saddle future generations with debt.

But McIver says it’s also not fair for current taxpayers to foot the entire $1 billion-plus needed to twin the highway to Fort McMurray given that future generations will also benefit.