Who Will Benefit From the Sale of AltaLink? (Part 1)

The federal government recently approved the pending sale of an Alberta utility provider to an American company. Berkshire Hathaway Energy's application to buy AltaLink in a deal worth $3.2 billion was confirmed by Industry Canada along with several conditions, among them, a commitment to keep the electricity transmission company locally managed with its headquarters in Alberta and to keep a majority of its board of directors Canadians. Critics say the deal is not fair to Albertans as the province's transmission system should not be an internationally traded commodity when electricity is an essential service. They further argue it ought to be owned and operated by Albertans (who have paid for much of the AltaLink infrastructure through delivery charges) not a massive for profit foreign company. With the proposed sale still under review by the Alberta Utilities Commission, many are calling for meaningful public hearings on the deal which is expected to close December 31, 2014. The speaker will weigh in on the details of this controversial transaction. Speakers: Joe Anglin MLA Joe Anglin was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre on April 23, 2012 and has served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Anglin served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era before becoming a police officer. He then obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in education. As an active member of his community, Anglin served as chair of the Rimoka Housing Foundation from 2010 to 2012 and also served as a town councillor in Rimbey from 2010 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Anglin successfully organized and led the Lavesta Area Group, an association of southern Alberta landowners opposed to the construction of a 500KV electricity transmission line through their area, from 2006 to 2010. Moderator: TBA Date: Thursday, October 23, 2014 Time: Noon - 1:30 PM Location: Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S Cost: $11.00 (includes lunch)