Alberta school construction a bunch of empty fields, say Wildrose

The Wildrose party sent someone out with a camera this week to take pictures of empty fields.

Those photographs, the official opposition said, are proof that Premier Jim Prentices recent update on school construction is nothing more than PC electioneering and broken promises.

The Wildrose released the photographs Wednesday to prove, they say, that work has not yet started on any of the Phase 2 schools listed as under construction in Edmonton.

The photographs were taken on March 11, the Wildrose said, only one day after the premier told the legislature that those schools are under construction.

In a statement, Wildrose Leader Heather Forsyth said when Albertans hear construction they expect to see shovels and hammers at work, not empty fields.

Albertans know what construction looks like, but Im beginning to wonder if anyone in this government does, Forsythe said. Not a single one of these seven school sites has a shovel in the ground not even close and these are only the ones weve checked on.

Albertas infrastructure minister, Manmeet Bhullar, said earlier this week that schools promised last fall will go ahead despite tough economic times.

He said of the 120 phase 2 schools announced in 2013-14, one has opened, 38 are now in construction, one is being planned, 54 are being designed and 26 are out to tender.

The Wildrose said the photographs taken this week showthats not the case.