Enlightening article. Somehow, in hindsight, reviewing Smith's past behaviour - as you have - this shouldn't be surprising. It's always been about her - not AB. I don't get it ... there are so many talented and genuine honest folks in AB, yet the crap raises to the top. Much of this world seems to be governed by (led by) grifting narcissists and apparently that style is compelling. There are better alternatives. We just need to vote them in!
I heard from reliable source today that if Carney is elected Smith will call a snap election in a month and do a Doug Ford thing. Has anyone else picked up anything about this?
The Conservatives provincially and nationally have a history of dumping their leaders with no real plan for a replacement. That’s how they end up with a lesser-of-the-evils choice like Poilievre and Jason Kenney. They need a Peter Lougheed moment.
“The trouble with normal is it always gets worse” - Bruce Cockburn
I find myself wondering how the UCP will manage to find someone worse than Danielle. Because looking for something better would be highly abnormal for them.
The problem isn’t solely the Premier, the problem is the Conservatives and their selfish ideology. Especially in Alberta their entitlement about governing is only matched by their willful incompetence. They see no value in the collective endeavour to make a better or even adequate society. It is every person for themselves. Smith just embodies his disfunctional ideal.
Perhaps not a monolith, and Guthrie has shown some principles, granted, but he still seems to support Mr Polivevre, who is another opportunistic con person who seemingly has hitched himself to the worst of rightwing populous positioning. So yes there is a difference, but not a significant one. I respectfully differ in my assessment of Mr Guthrie and his political positioning.
The need for power takes all the worst paths. We’ve had our share of turn-coats and it’s always a little painful and very disappointing. The new knowledge of who they really are and have been is hurtful, too, finding out we have been deceived. 🥵
Many Albertan’s saw Smith for who she was long ago as Wildrose leader. Albertan’s need to realize they should no longer be tied to Conservative. As Jim Prentice said « Albertan’s need to take a good hard look in the mirror ». Democracy is not being respected here either as a by-election has not been called as yet to have a vote so the opposition leader has a seat. Smith took 7 months to call an election after she was elected leader by Conservatives. Yet when PM Mark Carney won leadership race Smith was screaming for an election had to be called immediately. Dani never walks the talk.
I appreciate the balanced, considered tone of this article; many of the opinions being expressed by right-leaning people these days are rife with hysteria and hot-button language. I voted Conservative exactly once, thinking Alison Redford deserved a chance to prove her fitness to lead. As we know, that did not go well. I was born and raised in Montreal in a Liberal family; every four years I would go and cast my vote for Warren Allmand, easy as that. I’ve spent the second half of my life in Alberta, and many of the people I know and love here were raised to vote Conservative; given my history, I respect how strong those early political influences are, but here’s the thing: the UCP is not the Conservative party that my friends’ parents and grandparents supported. Can anyone imagine Peter Lougheed flying down to Florida to cozy up to a president who questions Canada’s right to exist? I can’t. The old Conservative Party doesn’t exist anymore, it’s been replaced by Wild Rose libertarians dressed in blue.
Many thanks :) I have to give credit to spending time in all political circles and being genuinely curious why people support the parties they do, and a love of my philosophy classes that instilled the egregious error of bad faith arguments. It tempers me, without a doubt.
I only have one experience with liberal outside of Alberta — I met a woman from ON at an Alberta liberal event and she told me that she found it a bit jarring because “in Ontario, this would be more like the PC party.”
Do you find the parties here are similar to those in QC or similarly “they’re all more conservative here?”
Oooh, had a quick read. Friendly dog-whistling (love the ironic quotation marks - does he do air quotes when he speaks?) plus insinuations equating Carney to Hitler… oof... Seriously, it’s so discouraging to see this toxic formula percolating through society.
The conservatives have ruled supreme here for 50 of the last 54 years. Their tentacles have spread into every wheel and gear that drives this province. High level "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" has gotten a wink and nod for decades so when Smith got the keys she was like a kid in a candy store. Problem is, she's wrecking the store. If the real players, the serious players, want to keep the keys they need to force her out.
Good article. Bit by bit, we might be entering a phase of “principled conservatives” (there’s gotta be a better term?) dumping the populism and power consolidation antics of their leadership… but I can’t see “getting back to basics” as much of a viable option.
Enlightening article. Somehow, in hindsight, reviewing Smith's past behaviour - as you have - this shouldn't be surprising. It's always been about her - not AB. I don't get it ... there are so many talented and genuine honest folks in AB, yet the crap raises to the top. Much of this world seems to be governed by (led by) grifting narcissists and apparently that style is compelling. There are better alternatives. We just need to vote them in!
Absolutely!! The Manning minions have almost all passed their expiration date…
That twirp
I heard from reliable source today that if Carney is elected Smith will call a snap election in a month and do a Doug Ford thing. Has anyone else picked up anything about this?
Great risks and potential reward to that, to be honest, but I haven’t heard anything credible, myself.
The Conservatives provincially and nationally have a history of dumping their leaders with no real plan for a replacement. That’s how they end up with a lesser-of-the-evils choice like Poilievre and Jason Kenney. They need a Peter Lougheed moment.
I have a lot of respect for Lougheed but he did send us down the path of
Whoops. Down the path of choosing US investment over Canada.
Yes. It’s perhaps ironic that the heritage fund concept was more successful for Norway than for Alberta conservatives. I blame Ralph for that.
Ralph and tax-averse Albertans. We like the stuff more than paying for the stuff.
It was Getty that first abandoned the principles of the Heritage Fund. Ralph just accelerated it.
Yup Getty the republican
I stand corrected. It’s a shame regardless
Sigh. This… woman.
Is very UN-CANADIAN
🤢💔😔🙄🇨🇦
“The trouble with normal is it always gets worse” - Bruce Cockburn
I find myself wondering how the UCP will manage to find someone worse than Danielle. Because looking for something better would be highly abnormal for them.
Fair. But she almost lost to Toews. Almost.
The problem isn’t solely the Premier, the problem is the Conservatives and their selfish ideology. Especially in Alberta their entitlement about governing is only matched by their willful incompetence. They see no value in the collective endeavour to make a better or even adequate society. It is every person for themselves. Smith just embodies his disfunctional ideal.
Perhaps not a monolith, and Guthrie has shown some principles, granted, but he still seems to support Mr Polivevre, who is another opportunistic con person who seemingly has hitched himself to the worst of rightwing populous positioning. So yes there is a difference, but not a significant one. I respectfully differ in my assessment of Mr Guthrie and his political positioning.
All good. I've yet to be rewarded for giving kudos, but I have to call it as I see it :)
“Conservatives” are not a monolith. Guthrie embodies this difference between them.
The need for power takes all the worst paths. We’ve had our share of turn-coats and it’s always a little painful and very disappointing. The new knowledge of who they really are and have been is hurtful, too, finding out we have been deceived. 🥵
Many Albertan’s saw Smith for who she was long ago as Wildrose leader. Albertan’s need to realize they should no longer be tied to Conservative. As Jim Prentice said « Albertan’s need to take a good hard look in the mirror ». Democracy is not being respected here either as a by-election has not been called as yet to have a vote so the opposition leader has a seat. Smith took 7 months to call an election after she was elected leader by Conservatives. Yet when PM Mark Carney won leadership race Smith was screaming for an election had to be called immediately. Dani never walks the talk.
Sadly…
I appreciate the balanced, considered tone of this article; many of the opinions being expressed by right-leaning people these days are rife with hysteria and hot-button language. I voted Conservative exactly once, thinking Alison Redford deserved a chance to prove her fitness to lead. As we know, that did not go well. I was born and raised in Montreal in a Liberal family; every four years I would go and cast my vote for Warren Allmand, easy as that. I’ve spent the second half of my life in Alberta, and many of the people I know and love here were raised to vote Conservative; given my history, I respect how strong those early political influences are, but here’s the thing: the UCP is not the Conservative party that my friends’ parents and grandparents supported. Can anyone imagine Peter Lougheed flying down to Florida to cozy up to a president who questions Canada’s right to exist? I can’t. The old Conservative Party doesn’t exist anymore, it’s been replaced by Wild Rose libertarians dressed in blue.
Many thanks :) I have to give credit to spending time in all political circles and being genuinely curious why people support the parties they do, and a love of my philosophy classes that instilled the egregious error of bad faith arguments. It tempers me, without a doubt.
I only have one experience with liberal outside of Alberta — I met a woman from ON at an Alberta liberal event and she told me that she found it a bit jarring because “in Ontario, this would be more like the PC party.”
Do you find the parties here are similar to those in QC or similarly “they’re all more conservative here?”
The problem with the UCP so far is that there is always someone worse standing in line to be the next UCP leader.
And this time may be no different… https://lacsteanneparkland.ca/canada-what-could-have-been-or-what-can-it-be/
Shane Getson: The voice of reason…😅😂🤣🤣🤣
Oooh, had a quick read. Friendly dog-whistling (love the ironic quotation marks - does he do air quotes when he speaks?) plus insinuations equating Carney to Hitler… oof... Seriously, it’s so discouraging to see this toxic formula percolating through society.
Simply said, she needs to go .
The conservatives have ruled supreme here for 50 of the last 54 years. Their tentacles have spread into every wheel and gear that drives this province. High level "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" has gotten a wink and nod for decades so when Smith got the keys she was like a kid in a candy store. Problem is, she's wrecking the store. If the real players, the serious players, want to keep the keys they need to force her out.
You give hope to all Canadians.
A grassroots organization is working on recall of 6 MLAs.
Please support them:
@ABRESISTANCE.CA
Quisling Dani and the United Corrupt Party must go.
Never 51 👍😎🇨🇦💪🏽
Fat chance . I think that if she so loves trump and his ugly American ideology we should send her to Mar a lago on a one way ride ,
we don’t need her corrupted character . We have enough of it seeping through our southern border
Good article. Bit by bit, we might be entering a phase of “principled conservatives” (there’s gotta be a better term?) dumping the populism and power consolidation antics of their leadership… but I can’t see “getting back to basics” as much of a viable option.
She is nothing but Trash.