Re: Smith opens door to independence referendum, will chair 'Alberta Next Panel' in escalating pushback against OttawaI've actually got no real problem with the panelists that our illustrious Lady Premier has named to the Alberta Next Panel. But, as a card-carrying United Conservative Party member, what I have a problem with is that the MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat has sought to exclude New Democratic MLAs from the panel. They are only eight seats down in the Legislative Assembly; they should be represented with two MLAs or exactly half the government contingent. (I don't count the premier, as she is the chairwoman and only votes in a tie. So, she is there as premier, not in her capacity as an MLA.)This is called the principle of equal time. What they used to do on PBS with The McLaughlin Group, was have two Democrats and two Republicans as panelists, with a moderator. Each side got exactly fifty percent of the broadcast time to air their views respectfully.Where is that now?Rory J. KoopmansEdmonton
