The majority of Albertans are finding themselves dissatisfied with a Redford government they see as wasteful and bulky, and are savouring the opportunity for change. The last time citizens were upset to this degree with the Progressive Conservatives, they seriously considered a Liberal government in 1993, boosting the Grit seat
Continue readingTag: Alberta Politics
daveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: the great alberta election pool.
Who will run the show after April 23? On Monday, Albertans will go to the polls in what is already being dubbed a “historic” election. The outcome is uncertain, so why not gaze into your crystal ball and enter the Daveberta and CalgaryGrit election pool. It is simple enough –
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: a wildrose government will need a real opposition.
Danielle Smith with Wildrose MLA's Paul Hinman, Heather Forsyth, and Rob Anderson in 2010. Despite questioning climate science and refusing to remove one candidate who railed against a policy to protect sexual minorities in public schools and another who claimed his skin colour as a political advantage, Danielle Smith‘s Wildrose Party appears set to
Continue readingIn This Corner: MLAs Behaving Badly.
Today, for your amusement/outrage, your humble correspondent presents MLAs Behaving Badly. By sheer coincidence, all of the MLAs in this blog are PCs. Seriously, it’s just a coincidence. Thomas Lukaszuk The first example of an MLA Behaving Badly was widely reported: Thomas ‘Tommy Boy’ Lukaszuk’s run-in with a constituent. You
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: thorny wildrose candidate’s intolerant views are out of step with modern alberta.
It is not very often that you see a candidate for public office in Alberta reference the Book of Revelation. Wildrose Party candidate Allan Hunsperger In a tirade against gays and lesbians on his website last summer, Edmonton-South West Wildrose Party candidate Allan Hunsperger evoked references from the Old Testament
Continue readingIn This Corner: Wildrose or PCs? Having fingernails pulled out, or toenails?
The other day, one of my sons (the one who actually knows there’s an election going on) asked me which I would prefer: a Progressive Conservative government, or a Wildrose government. I had time to think about my answer, as the mere thought of that Sophie’s Choice resulted in a
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: no knockout punches as candidates give it 110% in alberta’s leaders’ debate.
Four of the main party leaders at last night's televised debate. After watching last night’s televised Leaders’ Debate, I am left wondering whether it will even have an effect on how Albertans vote on April 23. In many ways, the Leaders’ Debate felt like a microcosm of the entire election campaign.
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: sparks will fly as party leaders take off their gloves at tonight’s “make or break” televised debate.
The televised leaders' debate starts tonight at 6:30pm. Tonight’s hotly anticipated televised Leaders’ Debate will be the first time that the four main party leaders have debated each other in this format. All eyes will be on Progressive Conservative Premier Alison Redford and Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith, but do
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: the reform-conservative family feud continues in alberta’s election.
Wildrose is under attack! The same people that caused the Liberal Party of Canada to be in power for 13 uninterrupted years now have Wildrose in their crosshairs. They want nothing more than to see the Redford PCs re-elected to impose their big government knows best, ivory tower views on
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: communications problems.
A half-page advertisement promoting PC candidate Maureen Kubinec in the St. Albert Gazette. One of the most interesting features of the first two weeks of Alberta’s election campaign has been just how different the messaging of the two main campaigns have been. The challenging Wildrose Party has presented a campaign
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: making cities matter in alberta’s election.
Alberta is the most urbanized province in Canada (81% of the population living in urban areas) and the Edmonton-Calgary corridor is one of the most urbanized regions in Canada. Looking to put cities on the provincial election agenda, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi is using the CitiesMatter.ca website to weigh in on why it is
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: alberta election: the leaders’ debate will matter.
In a typical provincial election in Alberta, the televised Leaders’ debate is a mere formality in a process that would inevitably lead to the election of another massive Progressive Conservative majority government. Even when the perceived winner of the debate is from an opposition party, the effects only . In
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: tempting fate, a new @premierdanielle twitter account is created.
A screen shot of the @PremierDanielle Twitter account. Is Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith already measuring the drapes in the Premier’s Office? A Twitter account named @PremierDanielle has been created. The only other Twitter user the account is following, as of this afternoon, is @ElectDanielle, Ms. Smith’s official Twitter account.
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: thorny candidates could be the wildrose party’s biggest liability.
Danielle Smith (photo from Wildrose Facebook page) As the face of the campaign, Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith is her party’s biggest asset. She is media savvy, personable and, despite her limited governance experience (one year as a trustee on the dysfunctional Calgary Board of Education), she talks about becoming Premier
Continue readingBlunt Objects: Think HQ #AbVote Poll – 43% Wildrose, 30% PC
This Think HQ poll is now the fourth poll in a row to show the Wildrosers moving far ahead of the PCs, with a 13-point lead over Premier Redford’s Progressive Conservatives. Below are the changes in popular vote and seats from their last poll: ThinkHQ Poll: Wildrose: 43% (+10) –
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: danielle smith is ‘out-ralphing’ alison redford.
Recycled 'Ralph Bucks' could become 'Danielle Dollars'. Eight years after the last round of provincial rebate cheques, popularly known as ‘Ralph Bucks‘, were mailed to Albertans care of Premier Ralph Klein, Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith is proposing a similar ‘energy dividend.’ While ‘Ralph Bucks‘ were popular among most Albertans
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: guest post: the election in highwood – week one.
By Jody MacPherson A trailer sign for Wildrose candidate Danielle Smith. The commute to Okotoks from Calgary is a scenic drive southwest with truly spectacular mountain views on a clear day. Having travelled the route almost daily for about 15 years, I saw something this week I’ve never seen before.
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: the definition of silly season. is this what “change” looks like?
The wheels came off the Progressive Conservative election campaign this week. If you are looking for a definition of “silly season” the first week of Alberta’s 2012 provincial election fits the bill. Despite major policy announcements from each of the main political parties this week, the campaign is being reported
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: redford orders mla’s to return pay, cancels transition allowance, and sherman crashes her party.
Premier Alison Redford has announced that Tory MLA’s will repay all the money they received from the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections (aka the “no-work” committee) and that MLA’s who retire or are defeated in future elections may not received a generous severance package. Ordering Tory MLAs to pay
Continue readingdaveberta.ca - Alberta politics blog: who should be invited to the televised leaders’ debate?
PC leader Premier Alison Redford, Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, NDP leader Brian Mason, and Liberal leader Raj Sherman. The televised Leaders’ debate for Alberta’s 2012 election will be aired on April 12 at 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Global Television. The debate will include Progressive Conservative leader Premier Alison Redford, Liberal
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