The Party of Alberta
November 27, 2006 · By Aaron Unruh
The Party of Alberta was officially launched at the beginning of November.
I’m not sure about the utility of a Albertan First federal party when the prime minister is currently an Albertan. But if you’d like to see the party get off the ground, head on over and help them become recognized by Elections Canada.
I think the Party of Alberta is a waste of time. Those battles are better fought from Edmonton with a strong provincial Morton government than from Ottawa with a powerless splinter group, assuming any could even get elected.
Alberta’s best hope federally is to keep on electing Harper, we don’t need flies in the ointment.
Harper being an Albertan has about as much influence on his being Prime Minister as being Albertan had on Joe Clark – that’s to say, not much at all.
Harper and the Conservatives want a majority government, that’s no secret. Unfortunately, though, the road to majority doesn’t run through Calgary nor Edmonton… so Albertan issues and concerns are oft ignored or sidelined for the sake of ‘national’ interests – or for the sake of garnering votes in “Majority Country.”
Several ideas and proposals put forth by Morton – who I agree is the best choice for Premier of Alberta – would be met with hostility by those same ‘Majority Country’ votes which the Conservatives are seeking. Foremost of those, would be the withdrawal of Alberta from the Canada Pension Plan and the creation of our own Pension system.
In such a scenario, the Conservatives (or Liberals) would thus be wise to resist such and attempt in order to gain or maintain a majority in Parliament.
Personnally, I would rather have a federal Party representing Albertans, and Albertans only. Other reasons why have been penned on this very site, some time ago.
Besides which, the Conservatives elected in Alberta, save for a few seats in and around Edmonton, have felt secure enough in their ridings to forego campaigning there, as recently as last election. Those MPs could well use a kick in their complacency.
It is not because he is an Albertan that Harper is Alberta’s best hope, it is because he respects the constitutional division of powers, rights and responsibilities between the Federal and Provincial governments.
It’s a big country, I don’t need to be front and centre all the time, I just need to be treated fairly.
Why should the creation of an Alberta Pension Plan be met with hostility, and why should that affect our actions? It’s too late to help me, but it will sure give my kids a better deal than I’m gonna get from Ottawa.
If you want to kick somebody off their complacency I suggest you get active in the PC leadership and boost Morton for all your worth, it’s the only horse in sight with any hope of paying off. Ottawa is nothing but a costly distraction this week.
Well said Jon!
The Party of Alberta simply wants Alberta to exercise more of its constitutional rights and assert its authority over matters which are within its jurisdiction. We believe that would be a better deal for Alberta.
As for being ‘front and centre’ – I agree, that all regions should be represented equally. However, the fact is that Alberta’s interests simply get shuffled to the side, no matter the Party in power – politics in Canada is a numbers game, and the fact is that Majority Country has more than we do, and fully 70% of the seats in the House are east of the Manitoba-Ontario border.
They will come first; and Ted Morton has said the same. That doesn’t bode well when our interests differ from theirs, as they quite often do.
As for the APP… well, if you were a politician from Ontario or the Maritimes – with lagging economies and aging populations – the idea of the younger, more prosperous Albertans opting out of the CPP to form its own pension would put your own retirees in a precarious spot. I can see a battle brewing over that one, and the Feds trying to use legislation to bar the creation of an independent Alberta Pension Plan.
Now, I sincerely would hope I’m wrong, and that an APP can be created without a hitch and without ruffling feathers in Ontario or elsewhere. But in case I’m not – I can see the value in having a strong and independent Albertan voice in Parliament.
And I’m in Morton’s corner for Saturday, no doubt – and am encouraging everyone I can to come out for the vote for him, as well.