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ST. JOHN’S – As Albertans go to the polls today in what could prove to be a ground-breaking election there, CUPE NL President Wayne Lucas says politicians in this province should look west to understand how the political winds are shifting.

Lucas says, “When the government asked Albertans what they thought should be done to deal with the decline in resource revenues, a large majority - 70 per cent - told the government they should increase corporate tax rates.

“PC Premier Jim Prentice refused to listen, refused to increase taxes on their corporate friends, and instead increased fees and cut public services for ordinary Albertans,” says Lucas.

“The proposed PC budget in Alberta is certain to hurt the economy, and right now they and other right wing parties are paying for it at the polls. Rachel Notley and the NDP are now poised to make history and may actually form a majority government after today’s election.

“Why can’t the PC government here in NL learn from the mistakes of their counterparts in Alberta and take a stand for progressive taxes and for strong public services,” asks Lucas. “We don’t have a spending problem in Newfoundland and Labrador.

We have a revenue problem thanks to a tax system that lets oil companies and multinational corporations off the hook,” says Lucas.