Attack ads take premier to task for 'lack of plan'

Premier Ed Stelmach is shrugging off a series of attack ads accusing his Progressive Conservatives of not having a plan to manage Alberta's growth.

The three television commercials that began airing on Monday criticize the Stelmach Tories for not having a plan to deal with health care, affordable housing and runaway growth.

"Ed Stelmach, no plan, no way," an announcer says on one commercial as black and white photos of the premier flash across the screen. "Can Albertans expect progress — don't plan on it," says another.

The ads were paid for by a group called Albertans for Change, a coalition of trade unions led by the building trades and the Alberta Federation of Labour.

The group said it has no connections to any political party.

"We are trying to inform Albertans to make the best choice when they vote," explained Ron Harry, executive director of the Alberta Building Trades Council.

A provincial election is expected to be called at the beginning of February, the first test of Stelmach's mandate since he was chosen to succeed Ralph Klein as Tory leader in 2006.

"I don't respond to that kind of behaviour. I've always been a positive person. I don't get into negativity," Stelmach said Tuesday at the Calgary airport before he left for a trade mission to Washington.

The premier dismissed the attack ads, saying they don't bother him.

"We have plans in place for infrastructure, for health. We're still continuing to lead in the environment across this country," he said.

"The proof [is] in the pudding as to what we've delivered as a government in the past 12 months and what we're going to do over the next few years."