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However, if his party wins power in 2019, he plans to talk to Albertans about their fiscal options.

“Albertans are frustrated with the level of spending we have right now … so we need to find a way to evaluate and gain control of those expenses,” Mandel told media Saturday.

“This is not a dictatorship. We want to talk to Albertans and ask what they want to prioritize.”

Party members also passed a motion to remove barriers to small and large businesses and develop an “entrepreneurial ecosystem reflective of Alberta’s strengths and natural assets.”

Mandel also pointed to the need for “more creative, more dynamic” economic diversification in the natural gas, agrifood, medical research, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

“But they’re going to take time to grow,” he said. “They’re not going to replace the energy industry by tomorrow morning.”

Carbon tax

Although not part of Saturday’s resolutions, Mandel said the party would push for a revenue-neutral carbon tax. The Alberta Party would also remove the tax from heating bills for homes and businesses.

In a speech to party faithful, Mandel said he finds it “fascinating” that the United Conservative Party is pushing to end the tax when Alberta’s coffers are riddled with debt.

“We have no cash to pay for anything,” he told the crowd.

Mandel expanded on that to the media, saying the province has to find a way to plug its fiscal gaps.

He also offered a blunt appraisal of Alberta’s economic future if the pipeline fails — “We’re screwed.”