Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 179
(June 29, 2011)
Alberta politics is starting to get interesting: the Wildrose Alliance Party held their convention last weekend with leader Danielle Smith getting strong support from the Wildrose faithful; the PC party released more information on where and when the leadership forums will be held; there is more speculation on who might enter the PC leadership race; and of course, the leadership candidates are traveling around Alberta in an effort to distinguish themselves from the others.
The Wildrose Alliance Party assembled about 500 party faithful last weekend and among the first order of business, a name change to simply the Wildrose Party. Other issues that passed the assembly included: the Wildrose Party would establish not for profit healthcare facilities; scrap the Alberta Human Rights Commission (keep the legislation and let the courts deal with complaints); address the contentious "property rights" issue by repealing current legislation; and establish a firearms authority. In my view, one of the more interesting political announcements made was a recent poll undertaken on behalf of the Party. The poll suggested that the Wildrose Party was, in their words, "gaining" on the PC party standings and that Wildrose Party leader, Danielle Smith has a much higher "net approval" rating compared to the six PC party leadership candidates. According to the poll undertaken in late May by Abingdon Research the Wildrose Party has about 26 percent support from those surveyed; the Progressive Conservatives have 30 percent support; the Liberals and NDP each have 13 percent support; the new Alberta Party has about 5 percent with about 10 percent undecided. The poll goes further and indicates that Danielle Smith has a "net approval" rating of + 14; Mar's rating, +8; Redford, +4; Horner, 0; Griffiths, -3; Orman, -3; Morton, -18. There is some question as to the veracity of this "on-line" poll and the strong connection Abingdon Research has with the Wildrose Party - after all, which polling group doesn't maintain political connections? In my view, if the Abingdon Research poll has got any amount of substance then the PC Party and its leadership have got some major problems that will have to be addressed prior to the next provincial election.
PC Leadership Forums, Dates to Remember -
Key dates and locations for the Eight Leadership Forums have been announced:
Thursday July 21, 2011 Vermilion
Thursday July 28, 2011 Grande Prairie
Thursday August 11, 2011 Fort McMurray
Thursday August 18, 2011 Medicine Hat
Thursday August 25, 2011 Lethbridge
Thursday September 1, 2011 Red Deer
Wednesday September 7, 2011 Calgary
Thursday September 15, 2011 Edmonton
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Alberta Leadership Up-date
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 178
(June 22, 2011)
Leadership of Alberta's Progressive Conservative Party appears to be moving at a snail's pace, or is it just starting to heat up? There are still only six declared candidates with two others still considering their entry into the race. The two front runners from southern Alberta (Ted Morton and Rick Orman) consider themselves Blue Tories and each feels that their leadership is the only leadership that can defeat the onslaught of the threatening Wildrose Alliance Party. To garner support from the federal Conservative Party both Ted Morton and Rick Orman flew to the Conservative convention in Ottawa for some sort of political support and to some observers a questionable trip? The more "progressive" group of candidates (Gary Mar, Doug Horner, Doug Griffiths and Alison Redford), sometimes referred to as the Red Tory candidates, they're moving throughout the province, attending coffee / donut parties and selling memberships - Gary Mar and Doug Griffiths have already visited the Smoky Lake area with Doug Horner and Alison Redford expected to be in Smoky Lake in early July. Haven't heard about the so-called front runners and when they might come to our communities. According to PC authorities candidates will have to declare their candidacy by July 15th, the first formal debates will begin on July 28th and actual voting will begin on September 17th. Should a candidate not receive a clear majority vote, a run off vote will occur on October 1st, the date Mr. Stelmach's resignation takes effect.
(June 22, 2011)
Leadership of Alberta's Progressive Conservative Party appears to be moving at a snail's pace, or is it just starting to heat up? There are still only six declared candidates with two others still considering their entry into the race. The two front runners from southern Alberta (Ted Morton and Rick Orman) consider themselves Blue Tories and each feels that their leadership is the only leadership that can defeat the onslaught of the threatening Wildrose Alliance Party. To garner support from the federal Conservative Party both Ted Morton and Rick Orman flew to the Conservative convention in Ottawa for some sort of political support and to some observers a questionable trip? The more "progressive" group of candidates (Gary Mar, Doug Horner, Doug Griffiths and Alison Redford), sometimes referred to as the Red Tory candidates, they're moving throughout the province, attending coffee / donut parties and selling memberships - Gary Mar and Doug Griffiths have already visited the Smoky Lake area with Doug Horner and Alison Redford expected to be in Smoky Lake in early July. Haven't heard about the so-called front runners and when they might come to our communities. According to PC authorities candidates will have to declare their candidacy by July 15th, the first formal debates will begin on July 28th and actual voting will begin on September 17th. Should a candidate not receive a clear majority vote, a run off vote will occur on October 1st, the date Mr. Stelmach's resignation takes effect.
Vancouver NDP Convention -
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 178
(June 22, 2011)
Last weekend's New Democratic Party convention in Vancouver proved to be a telling assembly of a still shaken, if not "shocked" group of NDP supporters - the new political reality for the NDP has become so obvious, all a result of the May 2 election - the NDP moved from Canada's third or fourth ranked political party with 36 seats in the 308 seat House of Commons, to become the Official Opposition with 103 seats and that alone has to be the monumental shock to anybody that is the least bit interested in Canadian politics, including NDP leader Jack Layton. From my perspective, the new status afforded the NDP by the Canadian electorate has set a stage for possible dramatic changes in the country's political landscape - to me the questions have become clear: Can Jack Layton and the "new" New Democrat Members of Parliament stand up to Prime Minister Harper's well oiled Conservative machine and can the New Democratic Party organize itself within the next year or two to become a true, viable alternative? The NDP's Vancouver convention was the first real opportunity to see Jack Layton and the "new" New Democratic Party perform and for me the results were somewhat disappointing - the convention delegates couldn't even decide on how to deal with the word "socialist" in the preamble to the party's constitution and that means the NDP principles (all that they stand for) will be vigorously debated within the party organization for years to come. There is also an undefined strategy to draw in disappointed Liberals to the "big orange tent" - in my view this vague, absorption strategy will not result in any merger of the two left leaning parties and actually could be destructive to both - to deal with any thoughts about such thoughts the Liberals sent former Prime Minister Dion to quash any such thoughts, at least that's my thought. All in all, if I were to summarize the party's performance in Vancouver on the weekend, the convention fell flat but Jack Layton does has four years to get his party moving and develop a brand that is truly attractive to Canadians - so we will just have to wait and see and yes, it gives Mr. Layton some time, he's earned it.
(June 22, 2011)
Last weekend's New Democratic Party convention in Vancouver proved to be a telling assembly of a still shaken, if not "shocked" group of NDP supporters - the new political reality for the NDP has become so obvious, all a result of the May 2 election - the NDP moved from Canada's third or fourth ranked political party with 36 seats in the 308 seat House of Commons, to become the Official Opposition with 103 seats and that alone has to be the monumental shock to anybody that is the least bit interested in Canadian politics, including NDP leader Jack Layton. From my perspective, the new status afforded the NDP by the Canadian electorate has set a stage for possible dramatic changes in the country's political landscape - to me the questions have become clear: Can Jack Layton and the "new" New Democrat Members of Parliament stand up to Prime Minister Harper's well oiled Conservative machine and can the New Democratic Party organize itself within the next year or two to become a true, viable alternative? The NDP's Vancouver convention was the first real opportunity to see Jack Layton and the "new" New Democratic Party perform and for me the results were somewhat disappointing - the convention delegates couldn't even decide on how to deal with the word "socialist" in the preamble to the party's constitution and that means the NDP principles (all that they stand for) will be vigorously debated within the party organization for years to come. There is also an undefined strategy to draw in disappointed Liberals to the "big orange tent" - in my view this vague, absorption strategy will not result in any merger of the two left leaning parties and actually could be destructive to both - to deal with any thoughts about such thoughts the Liberals sent former Prime Minister Dion to quash any such thoughts, at least that's my thought. All in all, if I were to summarize the party's performance in Vancouver on the weekend, the convention fell flat but Jack Layton does has four years to get his party moving and develop a brand that is truly attractive to Canadians - so we will just have to wait and see and yes, it gives Mr. Layton some time, he's earned it.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 177
(June 15, 2011)
The process of picking Alberta's next premier was triggered by Premier Stelmach with his formal letter of resignation - the letter, dated May 27th, indicated that Mr. Stelmach's resignation will become effective on October 1, 2011.
The Candidates -
While there are six declared candidates for Premier Stelmach's job - Ted Morton, Rick Orman, Doug Horner, Doug Griffiths, Gary Mar and Alison Redford - rumor has it that there are at least two others who are seriously considering their entry into the race. Dave Hancock (currently Minister of Education and Government House leader) and Gene Zwozdesky (currently Minister of Health and Wellness) are being touted as possible campaigners - both are very capable chaps. Officially, candidate nomination papers (along with a $40,000 deposit) will be accepted at Progressive Conservative headquarters between June 17 and July 15. Balloting for leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta (and therefore, Premier) will begin on September 17th but the newly elected PC leader will not take office until the swearing in ceremony scheduled for October 1, 2011 - there could be a run off ballot prior to October deadline. Of the eight possibilities, six are sitting members of the Alberta Legislature and for them the transition from campaigner to Premier would be, in at least one respect, a straightforward, relatively uneventful journey. For two candidates, Rick Orman and Gary Mar the situation is quite different - both have extensive experience in past Progressive Conservative governments but neither is a sitting member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and that means: should either Rick Orman or Gary Mar win the leadership race, the winner would be running government from the visitor's gallery (until he wins a seat in the Legislative Assembly through a by-election or a general election). Further information on the campaign time lines is starting to come out from PC Party headquarters. Eight PC Party Leadership Forums have been scheduled for July 21, 28; August 11, 18, 25; September 1, 8 and 15 - seven locations have been identified: Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Calgary and Edmonton. Adding an eighth location and matching dates to locations has not been released.
The Issues -
After Premier Stelmach's letter of May 27th, 2011 the declared candidates have started to come forth with some generalized statements on how they would deal with a number of important issues facing Albertans - so it's a little early in the campaign to judge individuals, their respective leadership qualities and how each would stack up to the threats and challenges of being Premier, Province of Alberta. For me I'm looking for each of the candidates to issue clear, understandable platform statements (along with their proposed implementation strategies) on 4 major areas of concern to many Albertans. First there is the concern over how Alberta government programs are being delivered, specifically Alberta's HEALTHCARE and EDUCATION programs. Second there is the concern over PROPERTY RIGHTS, particularly in rural Alberta. Third is the question of whether Alberta's ROYALTY regime is functioning properly and whether it works toward Alberta's ECONOMIC GROWTH and DIVERSIFICATION OBJECTIVES. And lastly on my list of priority questions for Alberta's next Premier; how will the Progressive Conservative Party leadership maintain its grassroots support and distinguish itself opposite the popular WILDROSE ALLIANCE PARTY?
(June 15, 2011)
The process of picking Alberta's next premier was triggered by Premier Stelmach with his formal letter of resignation - the letter, dated May 27th, indicated that Mr. Stelmach's resignation will become effective on October 1, 2011.
The Candidates -
While there are six declared candidates for Premier Stelmach's job - Ted Morton, Rick Orman, Doug Horner, Doug Griffiths, Gary Mar and Alison Redford - rumor has it that there are at least two others who are seriously considering their entry into the race. Dave Hancock (currently Minister of Education and Government House leader) and Gene Zwozdesky (currently Minister of Health and Wellness) are being touted as possible campaigners - both are very capable chaps. Officially, candidate nomination papers (along with a $40,000 deposit) will be accepted at Progressive Conservative headquarters between June 17 and July 15. Balloting for leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta (and therefore, Premier) will begin on September 17th but the newly elected PC leader will not take office until the swearing in ceremony scheduled for October 1, 2011 - there could be a run off ballot prior to October deadline. Of the eight possibilities, six are sitting members of the Alberta Legislature and for them the transition from campaigner to Premier would be, in at least one respect, a straightforward, relatively uneventful journey. For two candidates, Rick Orman and Gary Mar the situation is quite different - both have extensive experience in past Progressive Conservative governments but neither is a sitting member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly and that means: should either Rick Orman or Gary Mar win the leadership race, the winner would be running government from the visitor's gallery (until he wins a seat in the Legislative Assembly through a by-election or a general election). Further information on the campaign time lines is starting to come out from PC Party headquarters. Eight PC Party Leadership Forums have been scheduled for July 21, 28; August 11, 18, 25; September 1, 8 and 15 - seven locations have been identified: Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Calgary and Edmonton. Adding an eighth location and matching dates to locations has not been released.
The Issues -
After Premier Stelmach's letter of May 27th, 2011 the declared candidates have started to come forth with some generalized statements on how they would deal with a number of important issues facing Albertans - so it's a little early in the campaign to judge individuals, their respective leadership qualities and how each would stack up to the threats and challenges of being Premier, Province of Alberta. For me I'm looking for each of the candidates to issue clear, understandable platform statements (along with their proposed implementation strategies) on 4 major areas of concern to many Albertans. First there is the concern over how Alberta government programs are being delivered, specifically Alberta's HEALTHCARE and EDUCATION programs. Second there is the concern over PROPERTY RIGHTS, particularly in rural Alberta. Third is the question of whether Alberta's ROYALTY regime is functioning properly and whether it works toward Alberta's ECONOMIC GROWTH and DIVERSIFICATION OBJECTIVES. And lastly on my list of priority questions for Alberta's next Premier; how will the Progressive Conservative Party leadership maintain its grassroots support and distinguish itself opposite the popular WILDROSE ALLIANCE PARTY?
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Alberta Politics - The Progressive Conservatives
Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 176
(June 8, 2011)
The race to fill Premier Ed Stelmach's shoes in Alberta's Legislature appears to be in low gear - after all, farmers are more worried about their crops, gardens and uncertain weather patterns - for city folk, their main concern appears to be what they're going to do for a summer holiday, if they can afford one. I suspect things will start heating up when Mr. Stelmach announces the date of the PC convention. At present there are six declared candidates for Premier Stelmach's job:
Ted Morton - a former finance minister and the likely front runner when comparing the group of six candidates. Mr. Morton has suggested that he is by far the most capable candidate to deal with the threats of the growing Wildrose Alliance Party.
Rick Orman - a former energy minister and a stalwart defender of the free market system. Mr. Orman comes from southern Alberta, which is an important factor when it comes to dealing with the Wildrose Alliance. Nevertheless, Rick Orman needs a lot more exposure in the north - Rick Orman could be the "sleeper" in the leadership campaign.
Doug Horner - as a former education minister Mr. Horner brings a lot of understanding of rural Alberta. If you ask me Mr. Horner is the "sweetheart" candidate for rural Alberta - the question that must be bugging him, can he garner the political support in the cities?
Gary Mar - has held a number of cabinet jobs when he was in government, most notable, Minister of Health. Mr. Mar will likely garner support in Edmonton but will have to contend with some negative baggage and that baggage is his responsibility for Alberta's current healthcare system.
Alison Redford - as former justice minister Alison is not as well known as the front runners but she has made some statements that have gained attention. Most notably Alison Redford suggested last month that the PC's "property rights" legislation be suspended and the issue be reviewed with more consultation.
Doug Griffiths - hasn't held any cabinet posts but has served three terms in the Alberta Legislature. At 38, Doug Griffiths is the youngster of the group, and from what I can grasp Mr. Griffiths is appealing to the youth vote - a real long shot, but who knows and stranger things have happened.
Political Update:
It is a little early in the leadership campaign to pass any firm judgment on who might be the best candidate to lead the Progressive Conservative Party and be Premier of Alberta. Nevertheless, we all want to hear and see the candidates showing interest in the Smoky Lake area and available to answer questions regarding the future of our area and our province. We were fortunate last week to have two candidates visit our area with other candidates expected in the weeks to come. Last week Gary Mar and Doug Griffiths visited with a dozen or so Smoky Lakers at the Senior Citizens Drop-In Center and answered questions, drank coffee and ate donuts. Doug Horner and Alison Redford are scheduled to come to Smoky Lake sometime in early July - haven't heard from the front runners, Ted Morton and Rick Orman.
(June 8, 2011)
The race to fill Premier Ed Stelmach's shoes in Alberta's Legislature appears to be in low gear - after all, farmers are more worried about their crops, gardens and uncertain weather patterns - for city folk, their main concern appears to be what they're going to do for a summer holiday, if they can afford one. I suspect things will start heating up when Mr. Stelmach announces the date of the PC convention. At present there are six declared candidates for Premier Stelmach's job:
Ted Morton - a former finance minister and the likely front runner when comparing the group of six candidates. Mr. Morton has suggested that he is by far the most capable candidate to deal with the threats of the growing Wildrose Alliance Party.
Rick Orman - a former energy minister and a stalwart defender of the free market system. Mr. Orman comes from southern Alberta, which is an important factor when it comes to dealing with the Wildrose Alliance. Nevertheless, Rick Orman needs a lot more exposure in the north - Rick Orman could be the "sleeper" in the leadership campaign.
Doug Horner - as a former education minister Mr. Horner brings a lot of understanding of rural Alberta. If you ask me Mr. Horner is the "sweetheart" candidate for rural Alberta - the question that must be bugging him, can he garner the political support in the cities?
Gary Mar - has held a number of cabinet jobs when he was in government, most notable, Minister of Health. Mr. Mar will likely garner support in Edmonton but will have to contend with some negative baggage and that baggage is his responsibility for Alberta's current healthcare system.
Alison Redford - as former justice minister Alison is not as well known as the front runners but she has made some statements that have gained attention. Most notably Alison Redford suggested last month that the PC's "property rights" legislation be suspended and the issue be reviewed with more consultation.
Doug Griffiths - hasn't held any cabinet posts but has served three terms in the Alberta Legislature. At 38, Doug Griffiths is the youngster of the group, and from what I can grasp Mr. Griffiths is appealing to the youth vote - a real long shot, but who knows and stranger things have happened.
Political Update:
It is a little early in the leadership campaign to pass any firm judgment on who might be the best candidate to lead the Progressive Conservative Party and be Premier of Alberta. Nevertheless, we all want to hear and see the candidates showing interest in the Smoky Lake area and available to answer questions regarding the future of our area and our province. We were fortunate last week to have two candidates visit our area with other candidates expected in the weeks to come. Last week Gary Mar and Doug Griffiths visited with a dozen or so Smoky Lakers at the Senior Citizens Drop-In Center and answered questions, drank coffee and ate donuts. Doug Horner and Alison Redford are scheduled to come to Smoky Lake sometime in early July - haven't heard from the front runners, Ted Morton and Rick Orman.
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