Poilievre Gets Trumped
Will Danielle Smith put hurt feelings aside and start working in the best interest of Albertans?
This might sound odd, but I’m not that interested in federal politics. I’ve always tuned into election nights, but in the same way I occasionally tune into sports. It’s more of an excuse to hang out with my spouse, eat snacks, and yell at the TV. Unlike municipal or provincial, I’ve always found federal politics difficult to connect to. And maybe it’s just the case that I grew up in Alberta where we have essentially been represented in almost every federal seat by a single party for my entire life. It’s hard to get excited about an election when the outcome in your local riding is a foregone conclusion.
This week Canadians did something Canadians love to do, elect a minority government. Four months ago, I was certain we would elect a Conservative majority and I was already mourning the loss of the CBC. This election was a good reminder that we really don’t know what the zeitgeist of an election will be until we are in it.
Poilievre has spent years doing what conservative politicians do, trying desperately to manipulate the frame of the public conversation. I mean, how many people are out there agitating for the demise of the CBC? I understand why conservatives prefer corporate controlled journalism, but the attempts to spin CBC defunding promises into anything other than the dog whistle it was were ridiculous.
There is nothing that gives me greater satisfaction than voters looking past empty slogans and making up their own minds on the key election issues. President Trump is easily the most dangerous threat to Canada today. While Canadians might have felt unsure about a fourth Liberal term, they clearly rejected Poilievre as the man for the job of handling Trump. If you’re a Poilievre supporter I wouldn’t worry too much. A faithful soldier will step down soon enough, in a safe seat, to get the guy back into Parliament.
The real question for me after this federal election is what Premier Smith is going to do with another Liberal government. To date she has leaned heavily into Albertan’s grievances with the federal government. The spin on federal equalization continues, which has always confused me given that it was Kenney and Harper who designed the current formula. The spin on the Alberta police force continues even though rural municipalities have been very clear they don’t want it. The spin on the CPP has quieted for the moment, something for which we can all be grateful.
All this spin feeds the rumors of separation agitation in the UCP caucus and that’s dangerous for Alberta. Approaching negotiations with the federal government like a toddler denied the specific cracker they had their eye on is dangerous for Alberta. Fighting with Ottawa might gain political points for the Premier, but it doesn’t get the best deal for Albertans. For that we need to have grown-ups at the table, having serious conversations.
Rachel Notley not only got the first pipeline to tidewater in 50 years approved, but she also got the Liberal federal government to pay for it. She did that by being a grown-up, doing the work, and building consensus across the country on the need for TMX. Smith needs to take a lesson from Notley. It’s time to grow up, give up on scoring cheap political points, and get to work for the best interest of Albertans.
You know, my family immigrated to Alberta in the early 1900s, my mother was born in Edmonton, so was I. At first I was like you, ignore the rest of Canada. But, then my husband was accepted for a degree as Albertans say “out east”. We went, and saw that there was no way I could work part time in the early 1980s without depriving parents being able to feed their children by working fast food joints. At that time, Albertans were telling them to “freeze in the dark”. I lived it. I saw it. Do not deny it. Now Alberta wants the rest of Canada to “understand” their “angst” because I have no idea why. I am ashamed to say I was born in Alberta. I am NOT ashamed to say I was born in Canada. Get it. I get your point, but you’re way too soft about it. Read the Indigenous letters.
I think Danielle is in too deep with the US funded maga crowd. She has zero credibility in Ottawa and most of the rest of Canada wants her investigated, charged, and removed. Its going to be a boiling pot when PP joins the black hat crew in his new unearned riding. I hope the pot boils dry but I have serious concerns. Albertans need to demand her resignation.