This week in AB: January 11, 2024

Alberta news was somewhat overshadowed by other happenings of import, but they weren't unnoticed.

This week in AB

Show them the money

As the policy du jour continues to “make life unaffordable for everyday Albertans”, UCP MLAs decided to opt out of the affordability crisis by voting to give themselves more money from the treasury. The pay increase is in addition to the living allowance increase the majority UCP committee voted to give themselves in 2024.

They also voted to increase the governing party’s caucus budget by $1 million because they had been “operating at a deficit”.

• “but the unions got an increase” seems like a bad precedent for the UCP to roll with

• spending within one’s means is still only a credo for those who cannot vote to make their employers pay more

• get your caucus under control by telling them they can spend as much as they want but funding remains the same and see if that helps make the point

Despite economic and sovereignty threats from Trump, Danielle Smith doubles down on attending celebration of his inauguration

It’s important to note that Danielle Smith, as a low-level authority figure in Canadian politics, was not invited, but procured a ticket for the inauguration of incoming foreign leader Donald Trump in the same manner as any citizen of the United States would: online.

That means she will be standing amongst the throng of Trump supporters during this event, rather than being afforded an opportunity to “dissuade Trump from Canadian tariffs”.

The Premier apparently has a full week planned, meeting with her peer group of low-level authority figures in American politics by attending Governor’s balls, while more zealous members of her caucus will rub elbows with Americans who support using economic force to subjugate Canada at the annual prayer breakfast.

• Smith attended the Western Governor’s Association meeting in Las Vegas in early December, a move that apparently didn’t yield any results for Alberta, or Canada, since Trump reaffirmed January 7th that he still intends to use economic pressure to force Canada to relinquish its sovereignty and become a subordinate state of the U.S., which apparently justifies Smith’s desire to see who might perform at Trump’s inauguration. (LOFL at Fox personality Laura Ingraham suggesting Taylor Swift do it. Don’t worry Danielle — they still have Kid Rock on standby.)

• In light of the fact that the incoming president has declared his intention to undermine the sovereignty of our nation, and use economic pressure to secure it, I argued that Danielle Smith, as Premier, cannot attend Trump’s inauguration. However, former-Premier Danielle Smith as Trump-supporting traitor to Alberta’s economic prosperity, and to Canada’s sovereignty, can do whatever she pleases. Choose one.

Smith also doubled-down on increasing oil production capacity to U.S.

They say ignorance is bliss, and Danielle Smith seems awfully blissful these days.

• should we be worried that Smith is following in Jason Kenney’s fading — but not forgotten — footsteps by seeking to gamble government funds on increasing oil export capacity to the U.S.? As someone who expects to be an Alberta resident even after Smith runs off to her next gig as FOX commentator, I am.

• As above, Trump confirmed his intention to punish Canadian exports to the U.S. with 25 per cent tariffs, including oil and gas, which seems to suggest this idea is already dead in the water, but, I’m not a premier ignoring the obvious, so.

Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced intention to step down

My attention, since December, has been here. On January 2, I argued that Mr. Trudeau, who has consistently said he will be the one to lead the liberal party into the next election, should put his money where his mouth has been and call an election. With his caucus in disarray, the ongoing, and escalating, threats from incoming president Donald Trump, I felt the country, and Canadians, would be best served by introducing some stability at the federal level.

On this, I agree with Danielle Smith.

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