The debt-ridden Alberta Liberals may have to lay off their last two remaining party staff and have given them a month’s notice.
Despite this, leader David Swann says the opposition party isn’t in trouble. “We are in no way on the ropes as a party,” says Swann. “We are going through another phase, and the economy is determining some of what’s happening.”
The Liberals still have a 12-member caucus staff, but without party staff they’ll rely more on volunteers. “It means that we might not be in the present office,” says Swann. “We might take a smaller office. It might mean that we would hire some casual staff to deal with memberships and donations and make sure our books are kept in order.”
The Liberals pulled in over $1.3 million in donations last year, but still have a $400,000 debt (down from $1 million in 2001). “We haven’t connected well yet with Albertans, and particularly those who are prepared to make significant donations,” says Swann. “That’s the bottom line. We need to work harder at connecting with Albertans.”
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