Women of ABpoli: Hot Flashes - Issue #17
This Week in AB
The rules, they are a changin'
But first, the rest of the story: the NDP cut off PC fundraising streams in 2015 when they introduced their first Bill: An Act to Renew Democracy in Alberta.
The Bill placed a "ban (on) donations to political parties from corporations, trade unions and employee organizations, as well as (from) persons not normally resident in Alberta," and Alberta's now-governing party has been feeling the pinch.
Since the pandemic hit, the UCP has been trailing the NDP in fundraising (and approval ratings) - even throughout the quarter that included the "Best Summer Ever (for some families)" - although they managed to close the gap that quarter, as intended.
The UCP's new legislation, Bill 81, The Election Statutes Amendment Act, creates a loophole that allows unlimited donations to a nomination candidate, who, if successful in winning the nomination, can transfer all of the money to the party, Dr. Lisa Young from the University of Calgary told CBC.
Now, you may be thinking "okay, but what if the one who got the most money doesn't actually win?" And you'd be correct in thinking that could be a crap shoot.
However, it's a simple workaround when popular incumbent MLAs face challenges from people no one in the riding has heard of (think "constituency association secretary")... and POOF, the war chest is filled thanks to the very few deep-pocketed donors that kept the PCs in power for decades.
Sure, it works both ways, but it's a total scam.
Speaking of scams...
“What a sad commentary- (Kenney) games the system and changes the rules.”
At the UCP AGM in 2020 two notable policies came up for debate that are - since the declared return of Brian Jean - particularly relevant today.
First, a motion to allow the membership, specifically, the constituency association members, control over the candidate nomination process instead of the leader. It failed.
Second, a motion to create a formal leadership review process, which passed. The motion included a timeline of once every three years, meaning Kenney's leadership should have been reviewed as early as 2021 but no later than 2022.
While some may believe every UCP member is as out-of-touch as the leader, that's not quite the case. Constituency associations (CA) began to organize in the lead up to the fourth wave. One-quarter of their support (22 of 87) is currently adequate to call a Special General Meeting (SGM) - and a leadership review.
As of this week, there are 18 CAs who have signed letters in support of an SGM for that purpose.
However, a Governance Resolution (02) [Special Resolution (SR)] set to be voted on at the 2021 AGM on November 20 aims to "raise the bar" by increasing the number of CAs who can call for a leadership review to one-third, or 29.
The rationale?
"One quarter of CA's shouldn't be able to overthrow a Leader. The bar is set too low and opens the Party up to trouble-making by a small minority of CA Boards."
From a party that literally only serves a small minority of Albertans, the irony is sublime.
Get me in front of some booze!
“That's a trolling master class right there. 🤦♂️ https://t.co/rtxrFGyfm8”
It was an epic troll that won't result in anyone stepping down. Dreeshen's troll was literal kid stuff; a styrofoam cooler, coasters, and a bottle? Amateur.
Kenney set up shop at a Calgary Hudson's on Tuesday morning to talk about Alberta's booming economy. Work, alcohol, celebrate!
Having the "recovery" language, and a "Strong and Free" sign, in front of a backdrop that would make Ministerial staffer's mouths water, to talk about jobs? It was a masterful sideswipe at the pearl-clutching Albertans who dared to be shocked at how the privileged do their time.
But it wasn't entirely a win. Thanks to a hot mic, Kenney started the presser with egg on his face when he asked someone from the pub how business was going. The response he got was "slow".
I suppose it's only fair if we start calling it the "Alberta Recovery Plan (for some businesses)".
UCP's Coal Policy Committee asks for extension, UCalgary Policy School delivers
"Have the UCP turned in any of their work on time?" Calgary-Mountain View MLA Kathleen Ganley asked after Alberta's Coal Policy Committee was permitted an extension for their report on proposed eastern foothills developments.
The University of Calgary's Policy School, however, delivered a benefit-cost analysis that blew through any hope of seeing a positive return on new mining projects in the area - not that losing money has been a deterrent for this government.
As with too many extraction projects, the reclamation costs seem to always be someone else's problem - in every case in Alberta, that "someone else" will be those of us who aren't benefitting in the first place.
Alberta Health Services walks back ridiculous Covid-for-all policy
When the memorandum that permitted maternity units to allow Covid-positive support persons was publicized, many had to read it twice. Why on earth would they do that, people asked.
Well, as it turns out, some people are selfish garbage and they were lying about symptoms or positivity status. They were then spreading Covid to new mothers and their babies.
AHS hoped that by changing the restrictions, people would instead be honest and staff could have an opportunity to protect patients from these ignorant pricks.
We now return to Being Albertan at Your Own Risk.
Speaking of ignorant pricks...
Albertans saw red on Remembrance Day, and it wasn't because of a sea of poppies.
In the Alberta Government's Guidelines for Recognizing Diversity and Promoting Respect 2020, a guide for developing resources for teachers and students was an excerpt that read:
"Does the resource reveal both positive and negative behaviours and attitudes of the various groups portrayed? For instance, if a video details war atrocities committed by the Nazis, does it also point out that before World War II, (the) German government's policies substantially strengthened the country's economy?" (Emphasis mine)
"Without omitting or glossing over the many instances when members of one group have cruelly wronged persons of another group, the resource should attempt to provide some balance by presenting factors causing the behaviour or portraying positive qualities exhibited by members of the group that have acted inappropriately. Asking students to suggest ways in which members of these groups can collaborate or could have cooperated to bring about positive interaction and understanding of one another can be a valuable strategy."
This document was originally published in January 2020 and pointed out on twitter on Remembrance Day.
Fortunately, it can no longer be found on the Alberta Government website as the Jewish Federation of Edmonton immediately contacted both the government and Alberta Education on the 12th and a 404 now sits in its place.
Without fail, the UCP still managed to make it worse.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange claimed the document was brought to her attention Friday morning, leaving us with oh so many more questions.
Podcasts
Kathleen was talking about a great rant from Ryan Jespersen, but she and I spent some time with that premise for our subscribers on Patreon as well.
Next week we'll be releasing a great conversation about the Jason Kenney Poetry Project where Dr. Jackie Seidel and Dr. Darlene St. Georges join Deirdre to discuss their philanthropic effort to chronicle Alberta's government in verse.
Canada
Saskatchewan Premier wants more publicity, apparently
Maybe Scott Moe was still smarting from that Beaverton article, Nation doesn't care enough about Saskatchewan to be embarrassed by it. Or maybe he's jealous that Alberta got more federal money than any other province during the pandemic. It could also be that the man is an idiot - we have options.
Remembrance Day 2021
This truly was a moving event to watch. The event begins late, starts at 18:00, but the story, along with watching the sun illuminate the headstone of the Unknown Soldier was definitely the most meaningful Remembrance Day moment for me in a very long time.
'Merica
US Court affirms hold on vaccine mandates
“U.S. appeals court affirms hold on Biden COVID-19 vaccine mandate https://t.co/omJtQ1EA9C”
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans affirmed its ruling for opponents of mandatory vaccinations for workers (in businesses with 100 or more employees) saying "the public interest is also served by maintaining our constitutional structure and maintaining the liberty of individuals to make intensely personal decisions according o their own convictions - even, or perhaps particularly, when those decisions frustrate government officials".
Because that's what the pandemic is about - trolling government officials.
Final thought
Cover photo courtesy of @abpressrelease