We’re approaching the half-way point in the Alberta election campaign. I think Bill Murray summed it up in Ghostbusters: “Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”
Let’s take each of those in turn.
Human sacrifice!
Well, maybe not human sacrifice exactly. But we did have Jason Markusoff’s reporting on Take Back Alberta, in which we learned that TBA leader David Parker sees his movement’s mission as “a war between the pro-humans and anti-humans” - it seems he frowns on women-folk putting their careers ahead of child-rearing. He also claims that environmentalists and the NDP are trying to depopulate society: “you’re the carbon they’re trying to reduce.”
Dogs and cats living together!
It’s not every day that I find myself vehemently agreeing with Ken Boessenkool and Jeromy Farkas. But listening to Jeromy on the CBC Eyeopener this morning, I was shouting my agreement. He says:
Smith, Take Back Alberta, and others are actively changing the definition of what it means to be a conservative in this province, and they’re clearly winning. … Conservatives are supposed to believe in the rule of law, but Smith has made mainstream the idea of picking and choosing what laws apply, and that politicians should meddle with prosecutors and the courts to help their insider friends beat the rap. … [She] says residential schools were a hoax and pushes conspiracy theories that no children died. And her backers are out there saying that if you disagree with them, you’re somehow anti-human or less than human. This isn’t spin, it’s harmful, dangerous stuff.
I can’t think of another Alberta election when high-profile conservative voices have spoken out this way. These stances will end friendships and harm career prospects. I’m grateful that they’re willing to put country [province] ahead of party to make clear what’s at stake in this election.
Mass hysteria!
Protesters rushing Danielle Smith’s stage. Signs being defaced. Letters appearing in mailboxes of houses with election signs. Zoom-bombing election forums.
The close election hasn’t brought out the best in some of us, and I suspect it’s going to get worse before it gets better, because so many Albertans feel that the very definition of the province is at stake.
And just think, we have two weeks still to go.
Now, a word from our sponsor
This substack is free, and will stay that way. But every now and then I reserve the right to ask you to join me in supporting a good cause.
This week, it’s the Alberta Red Cross Wildfire Appeal. Or any other organization helping those who’ve been affected.
Next week is going to be hot, and that’s bad news on the wildfire front. Please consider making a donation.
Donated, and it's a triple match, so good timing on the reminder.
Love all your columns and appreciate the humour always. Too bad Calgary Herald articles are so often paywalled (while I get it, business wise, there's just not enough in that publication to subscribe...).
Thank you for providing the info for donating to the AB wildfires fund.
And for your insightful columns!