Kevin Taft (born September 9,1955) is an author,consultant,speaker,and former provincial politician in Alberta,Canada. Prior to his election,he worked in various public policy roles (1973-2000) in the Government of Alberta,private and non-profit sectors,in the areas of health,energy,and economic policy. From 1986 to 1991 he was CEO of the ExTerra Foundation,which conducted paleontological expeditions in China's Gobi Desert,Alberta's badlands,and the Canadian Arctic. He is the author of five books as well as several research studies and articles on political and economic issues in Alberta. In the mid-late 1990s Dr. Taft wrote two books critical of the ruling Progressive Conservatives.[1] The Premier of Alberta at the time (Ralph Klein) insulted Taft in the Alberta Legislature,which solidified Taft's desire to run for office to defend his perspective on public policy. He was an Alberta Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 2001 to 2012,and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2004 to 2008. Taft is currently an author,speaker,and consultant. He is father to two adult sons and currently resides in Edmonton,Alberta,Canada with his partner Jeanette Boman.
Taft has worked as a consultant and policy analyst in both the public and private sectors. His professional career began in 1973 at the age of eighteen when Peter Lougheed's Progressive Conservative cabinet appointed him a member of the Alberta Health Facilities Review Committee. His position on the committee involved investigating and monitoring Alberta's hospitals and nursing homes,and reporting through the committee to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.[2] Taft left the committee in 1982. He also worked as a planning consultant with the Alberta Hospital Association[3] and on the Alberta government's Nursing Home Review Panel task force from 1981 to 1982. In 1983,he became Coordinator of Planning,Research,and Evaluation for the Edmonton Region of Alberta Social Services and Community Health,[4] where he remained until 1986.
Work with the ExTerra Foundation
Taft was the chief executive officer of the ExTerra Foundation from 1986 to 1991,where he oversaw a team that planned and developed the Canada-China Dinosaur Project. The project's scientific partners were the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology,the Canadian Museum of Nature,and the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.[5] The project was conceived and initiated by anthropologist Brian Noble and palaeontologist Philip J. Currie. Noble,who named the Foundation and lead the international team from 1983 to 1989,invited Taft to become a co-founding member of Ex Terra's Board in 1984. The project included a multimillion-dollar series of expeditions that formed "one of the biggest dinosaur hunts in history".[6] It also included books,internationally televised films,and eventually an international touring exhibit.
The joint Canadian-Chinese expeditions went to China's Gobi Desert,Alberta's badlands,and the Canadian arctic. At the time,China was just beginning to open to international visitors,and the Gobi Desert expeditions were the first involving westerners since the 1930s.[5]
The project discovered several new dinosaur species and yielded a large number of scientific papers,including a special edition of the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences.[7]
Taft resigned from ExTerra in 1991 when it encountered financial shortfalls.[8]
Consulting work
From 1991 to 2000,Taft worked as a consultant,researcher,and speaker through his firm Taft Research and Communications. His primary focuses were health care policy,energy,and economic policy.
Taft consulted extensively with the Alberta Ministry Responsible for Seniors from 1991 to 1993,an experience that prompted him to write his first book,Shredding the Public Interest,in 1997. In it,Taft challenged the provincial government's claims that spending on public services was soaring. The book was reviewed nationally,and became a bestseller.[9]Shredding the Public Interest placed Taft in the public eye,and cemented his reputation as a government critic.[9] The book generated province-wide debate,attracting public criticism[10] and avid defenders.[11] Premier Klein publicly called Taft a communist,and suggested he should run for political office if he felt he had enough support.[12]Shredding the Public Interest topped local bestseller charts and appeared on national bestselling charts as well.[9] It remained on the Financial Post's national bestseller list for 14 weeks,[13] and was named Trade Book of the Year by the Alberta Book Publishers' Association in 1998.[14]
In 1999,Taft co-authored a study criticizing the deregulation of Alberta's electricity system,and in 1999 and 2000,he wrote two studies arguing against privatizing Epcor,Edmonton's public electricity utility.[15] In large part because of this research,Edmonton's city council of the day eventually dropped its plans to sell Epcor in a narrow 7–6 vote.[16] Edmonton never sold the utility,and remains Epcor's sole shareholder.[17]
Taft published his second book with co-author Gillian Steward,Clear Answers:The Economics and Politics of For-Profit Medicine,in 2000. In it,they argue "There is overwhelming evidence that private health care hasn't worked elsewhere and won't work in Alberta",[18] that private healthcare would increase costs and lengthen waiting lists,that privatization of healthcare is irreversible,and that it would allow American healthcare providers to compete with Alberta's public system.[18] The book also argues that the provincial government had systematically starved the public health system in order to make private healthcare a tempting alternative to the public model.[18] The book,like its predecessor,topped local bestseller lists[19] and appeared on national bestseller lists.[18]
Career in politics
Kevin Taft making a campaign speech in Calgary during the 2008 provincial election
In December 2000,Taft announced he would seek the Alberta Liberal Party nomination for the next provincial election,"citing his frustration with Tory policies in health care and power deregulation".[20] He won the nomination for Edmonton-Riverview in January 2001.[21] He was elected,defeating Progressive Conservative candidate and former city councillor Wendy Kinsella.[22]
Three years later,in the spring of 2004,Ken Nicol resigned[23] as leader of the Alberta Liberal Party,and Taft was soon elected to replace him.[24] Taft was generally given credit for his tenacity in the legislature.[25] Despite leading a party saddled with a $900,000 debt,[9] he helped his party more than double its seats in the election from 7 before the election call to 16.[26] The Alberta Liberals regained seats in Edmonton,and made a breakthrough in the traditionally conservative city of Calgary.[27] Taft also saw his support in Edmonton Riverview solidify;he received more votes than all other candidates,of any party,in the 2004 election.[28]
He published his third book,Democracy Derailed in 2007. It focussed on what he perceived as the broken state of Alberta's democracy.[29] The book "provides plenty of examples of pettiness and arrogance" from Ralph Klein's government,and criticized the government's record on dealing with whistle blowers. Taft described the situation as "a widespread breakdown of accountability [... that's] become part of the political culture".[29] Taft also suggested 35 ways to fix the problem.[30]Democracy Derailed topped local bestseller lists.[31]
In the 2008 election,the Liberal Party won only nine seats[32] in an election marked for its record low voter turnout.[33] On June 26,2008,Taft announced that he would step down as leader of the Alberta Liberal Party.[34] He was publicly praised,and thanked for his service to the province.[35][36] Taft remained as an MLA until the 2012 provincial election,when he did not seek re-election.[37]
Post-political career
In January 2012,just before leaving office,Taft published Follow the Money,his fourth book. Research for the book was supported by two economists:Professor Melville Macmillan and Dr. Junaid Jahagir. Drawing heavily on economic data from Statistics Canada,the book challenges the notion that the Alberta government's spending on public services is far higher than other provinces. Taft shows that total Alberta corporate profits are consistently double or more the rates in the rest of Canada or the United States. In contrast,spending on public services in Alberta is in the normal range,and the government has failed to increase the value of the Heritage Trust Fund.[38] Like its predecessors,Follow the Money topped local bestseller lists.[39] The book was also shortlisted for the Alberta Book Publishers Association Trade Non-Fiction Book of the Year in 2013.[40]
Between 2011 and 2012,Taft,his wife Jeanette Boman and two other partners designed and constructed a three-home net-zero-ready infill residential project in Edmonton called "Belgravia Green". Boman called it "our one small way of saying we believe that we can make a difference as individuals."[41] The homes are designed and built with the aim of reducing net energy use to near zero.[42] The homes were built by Effect Home Builders,and one of them won the 2012 Canadian Home Builders' Association National Green Home Award.[43]
Taft spent 2012-2017 as volunteer chair of a team overseeing the $1.6 million re-development of Belgravia community hall in Edmonton as a fully accessible,multi-purpose,solar powered community centre.[44]
After his retirement from politics,Taft continues working as an author,consultant,and public speaker while volunteering substantial time in his community.
Latest work (Oil's Deep State)
In 2014,Taft was invited to spend three weeks at the Whitlam Institute at Western Sydney University in Australia,to write and speak on the effects of the fossil fuel industry on democracy in the context of global warming. In September 2014,he published the paper "Fossil Fuels,Global Warming and Democracy:A Report from a Scene of the Collision",in the Whitlam Institute's Perspectives series.[45]
Developing his ideas further,Taft published his fifth book,Oil’s Deep State:How the Petroleum Industry Undermines Democracy and Stops Action on Global Warming -- in Alberta,and in Ottawa,(James Lorimer Publishers),in September 2017. The book,written for a general audience,draws on numerous sources for a wide-ranging look at the effects of Canada's petroleum industry on democratic institutions such as the civil service,political parties and academia. His analysis uses theories of democracy and regulatory capture to advance a theory of the "deep state," arguing that the petroleum industry in Canada has captured so many democratic institutions that it has blocked the capacities of the governments of Alberta and Canada to effectively address global warming. He has toured and spoken extensively in support of his book.[citation needed]
The Report on the March 3, 2008 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly. Elections Alberta. 28 July 2008. pp.328–331.
Bibliography
Oil's Deep State; How the Petroleum Industry Undermines Democracy and Stops Action on Global Warming -- in Alberta, and in Ottawa. James Larimer Publishers. Toronto (2017)
Follow the Money: Where is Alberta's Wealth Going?. Coauthored with Mel McMillan. Brush Education (2012).
Democracy Derailed: The Breakdown of Government Accountability in Alberta, and How to Get it Back on Track. Red Deer Press (2007).
Clear Answers: The Economics and Politics of For-Profit Medicine. Coauthored with Gillian Steward. Duval House Publishing, University of Alberta Press, The Parkland Institute (2000).
Shredding the Public Interest. University of Alberta Press (1997).
Ralph Philip Klein was a Canadian politician and journalist who served as the 12th premier of Alberta and leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta from 1992 until his retirement in 2006. Klein also served as the 32nd mayor of Calgary from 1980 to 1989.
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta was a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta that existed from 1905 to 2020. The party formed the provincial government, without interruption, from 1971 until the party's defeat in the 2015 provincial election under premiers Peter Lougheed, Don Getty, Ralph Klein, Ed Stelmach, Alison Redford, Dave Hancock and Jim Prentice. At 44 years, this was the longest unbroken run in government at the provincial or federal level in Canadian history.
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1905, it is the oldest active political party in Alberta and was the dominant political party until the 1921 election, with the first three provincial Premiers being Liberals. Since 1921, it has formed the official opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta several times, most recently from 1993 until 2012. Fourteen Liberals have served as Leader of the Opposition of Alberta.
Gary Masyk is a businessman and politician in Alberta, Canada.
The 2004 Alberta general election was held on November 22, 2004 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
The 2004 Alberta Senate nominee election, formally the 3rd Alberta Senate nominee election of Alberta was held on November 22, 2004, to nominate appointments to the Senate of Canada. The Senate nominee election was held in conjunction with the 2004 Alberta general election.
The 26th Alberta Legislative Assembly was in session from March 1, 2005, to February 4, 2008, with the membership of the assembly determined by the results of the 2004 Alberta general election held on November 22, 2004. The Legislature officially resumed on March 1, 2005, and continued until the fourth session was prorogued and dissolved on February 4, 2008, prior to the 2008 Alberta general election on March 3, 2008.
University of Alberta Press is a publishing house and a division of the University of Alberta that engages in academic publishing.
Edmonton Riverview is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting.
The 1998 Alberta Senate nominee election, formally the 2nd Alberta Senate nominee election of Alberta was held on October 19, 1998, to nominate appointments to the Senate of Canada. The Senate nominee election was held in conjunction with Alberta municipal elections under the Local Authorities Election Act.
Mo Elsalhy is a politician, pharmacist and businessman from Alberta, Canada. He received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Alberta in 1994.
Edward Michael Stelmach is a Canadian politician who served as the 13th premier of Alberta, from 2006 to 2011. The grandson of Ukrainian immigrants, Stelmach was born and raised on a farm near Lamont and fluently speaks the distinctive Canadian dialect of Ukrainian. He spent his entire pre-political adult life as a farmer, except for some time spent studying at the University of Alberta. His first foray into politics was a 1986 municipal election, when he was elected to Lamont County council. A year into his term, he was appointed reeve. He continued in this position until his entry into provincial politics.
The 2008 Alberta general election was held on March 3, 2008, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
Melvin Percy Joseph Cardinal was a Canadian politician from Alberta. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1989 until 2008 as a Progressive Conservative representing the electoral districts of Athabasca-Lac La Biche, Athabasca-Wabasca, and Athabasca-Redwater. Cardinal was the first status Indian to hold a position in Executive Council in Alberta, serving in the cabinet of Premier Ralph Klein as the Minister of Family and Social Services (1992−1996), Minister of Sustainable Resource Development (2000−2004), and Minister of Human Resources and Employment (2004–2006).
Dan Backs is a politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. He was elected as a Liberal candidate in the 2004 provincial election, but was kicked out of the Liberal caucus by leader Kevin Taft, who cited concerns about Backs' ability to work as a member of a team. He sat as an independent thereafter and, after failing to secure the Progressive Conservative nomination for his riding, sought re-election in that capacity as well. He finished third in the riding in the 2008 election.
Brent M. Rathgeber is a lawyer, author and politician from Alberta, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 2001 to 2004 and was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 2008 federal election as a Conservative. He resigned from the Conservative caucus in 2013 and sat as an independent. He ran as an independent candidate in the riding of St. Albert—Edmonton in the 2015 federal election but was defeated by Conservative candidate Michael Cooper.
Frederick Thomas Horne is a retired Canadian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Edmonton-Rutherford as a Progressive Conservative.
Parmjit Singh "Peter" Sandhu is a Canadian politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the constituency of Edmonton-Manning as a Progressive Conservative.
The 2008 Alberta Liberal leadership election was held on December 12, 2008, to select a leader of the Alberta Liberal Party. Incumbent leader Kevin Taft announced his resignation June 2008, in the wake of the March provincial election in which the Liberals lost seven of their sixteen seats.
The Parkland Institute is an Alberta-wide, non-partisan research institute, situated within the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. The Institute studies economic, social, cultural, and political issues using the intellectual approach of Canadian political economy.
References
"2012 National SAM Awards". Canadian Home Builders' Association. 2012. Archived from the original(Electronic) on 7 August 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
Cardillo, Jane (30 April 2011). "Belgravia dwellings let sun shine in; Three Effect houses aim to make as much energy as they use". Edmonton Journal. pp.I4.
Chalmers, Ron (27 January 1999). "Privatized power has risks; Will savings be passed on to consumers of electricity?". Edmonton Journal. pp.A12.
Cryderman, Kelly (24 March 2004). "Taft aims for 2010 Liberal win". Edmonton Journal. pp.B5.
Cryderman, Kelly (21 January 2004). "Who's the man who would risk his neck... TAFT: Liberal MLA poised to assume spotlight again". Edmonton Journal. pp.B1.
Gunter, Lorne (31 January 1997). "New anti-Klein book misreads Albertans; Author as guilty of half-truths as politicians". Edmonton Journal. pp.A16.
Gwilym, Davies (6 February 1997). "Reading of Taft book shoots down column's claims". Edmonton Journal. pp.A11.
Henderson, Ross (6 February 1991). "Show's world tour in doubt". Edmonton Journal. pp.B3.
Henton, Darcy (5 March 2008). "Taft says he won't make a hasty exit; Points to size of war chest as difference-maker in election". Edmonton Journal. pp.A4.
Jeffs, Allyson (21 December 2000). "Tory critic looking for Liberal nod: Kevin Taft says Alberta needs new government". Edmonton Journal. pp.B3.
Loyie, Florence (16 July 1999). "Council rules out sale of Epcor: Deregulation too much of a wild card, some say". Edmonton Journal. pp.A1.
Markusoff, Jason & McLean, Archie (5 March 2008). "Poor voter turnout disappoints premier; Attributes record-low participation to general satisfaction". Edmonton Journal. pp.A5.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
McLean, Archie (8 February 2007). "Alberta's democracy is broken, Taft argues in book". Edmonton Journal. pp.A6.
McLean, Archie (26 June 2008). "Taft to step down as leader today; Expected to stay on as MLA for Edmonton-Riverview". Edmonton Journal. pp.A1.
"Philip Currie: The Canada–China Dinosaur Project"(Video). Remarkable Albertans: The Alberta Order of Excellence Legacy Collection. Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
Rusnell, Charles (12 March 2000). "No trust for Tories' health-care plans". Edmonton Journal. pp.E15.
Struzik, Ed (13 March 2001). "Liberal candidate winner in 'battle of the stars': Kevin Taft mum on rumours he may be new party leader". Edmonton Journal. pp.A4.
Struzik, Ed (6 September 1990). "Mystery of armoured dinosaur unveiled; Canada/China project reveals the Pinacosaurus, discovered in the Gobi Desert". Edmonton Journal. pp.B3.
Taft, Kevin & Hayden, Jacqueline (1984). Review of Services for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse in Greater Edmonton. Edmonton Region, Alberta Social Services and Community Health.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
"Taft gets Liberal nomination". Edmonton Journal. 16 January 2001. pp.B6.
Thomson, Graham (7 August 2010). "Ex-Liberal leader finally pulls the plug; Taft just might be the smartest premier Alberta never had". Edmonton Journal. pp.A1.
Thomson, Graham (17 March 2012). "In praise of (some) politicians; Here are a few who are leaving Alberta's legislature voluntarily and will be missed". Edmonton Journal. pp.A23.
Thorne, Duncan (16 January 2004). "MLA Taft may step up as Nicol steps down". Edmonton Journal. pp.A6.
Thorne, Duncan (29 February 2000). "Taft book on privatizing medicare 'best-seller'". Edmonton Journal. pp.B9.
"Tories triumphant: Klein wins fourth mandate; Liberals, NDP, Alliance pick up seats". Edmonton Journal. 24 November 2004. pp.A1.
"Alberta Trade Book of the Year". Book Awards. Book Publishers Association of Alberta. 1998. Archived from the original(Electronic) on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kevin Taft .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
