Reducing Operating CostsCan you imagine the electrical costs of operating the three Alberta GH casinos? It is an enormous cost. The slot machines and the VLTs gourge themselves on electricity. As the Q3 Report noted we have 2 quarters remaining in the temporary 2% increase in the operators share of Slot Net Win. We'll all be grateful if it is renewed and moreso if it were even increased. But, much more impactful aid would be if Daniel Smith and the UCP were to ensure that in Alberta we can have access to electrical rates enjoyed by the rest of Canada.........add it to the list of what some think is the "Alberta Advantage." Now that would be of an enormous benefit to not only GH, but all industrial activitiy in Alberta.
This morning, in an article written by Doug Firby entitled, "Why Albertan's Pay So Much for Electricity" he explained how these have become a major problem in Alberta. Selectively, I picked some of the facts presented, if you're interested in reading the whole article simply google it.
In 1996, Ralph Klein's PC goverment introduced energy deregulation and deregulatiion of energy generation followed in 2001. Alberta remains the only province with a fully deregulated energy market today. Alberta's rates went from among the lowest in Canada to the highest. In comparison, rates per kwh include BC 11 cents, Sask. 19.9 cents, Quebec 7.8 cents, Ontario 14.4 while Alberta's have soared to over 30 cents at times. Alberta's industrial, commercial and farm electricity customers have paid about $17 billion more than their peers in other provinces since 2001.
Can't think of a better area than this to get the Alberta government to correct a problem that was created and assist the economy of the province.