Mr. Speaker, the member raises the question which I think is one of the least well considered in this whole scheme. The more experts and analysts and opposition members start to examine this aspect of the plan, the more worrisome and the more troublesome it will become.
There is nothing arm's length at all about the investment board. It is appointed directly by cabinet and serves at the pleasure of cabinet.
There is no question there will be a lot of input and influence on this aspect of the plan. The literature and the commentary of the government are already referring to regionally equitable investments.
Here again we see political considerations even before the thing is set up creeping into the direction given to the board. We know from the QPP, public pension funds, the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, and other avenues of government managing money how unlikely it is that political considerations will not get in there sooner, later, last, first and always.
We need to be very concerned and be very vigilant that it does not happen.