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Friday, November 20, 2009 06:14 PM
Not-so-sweet tweets
Dawn Walton
Sometimes an apology doesn't really seem like an apology.
A tweet attack was lobbed this week against Premier Ed Stelmach by the chief of staff for the Danielle Smith, leader of Wildrose Alliance Party.
Stephen Carter seemingly mocked Stelmach's manner of speaking in a posting Thursday on his Twitter account.
"Just saw da premier making a speech. Dat was quite a speech. Dem media better report it right," Carter wroted after the premier's addressed to a meeting with rural reeves and councillors.
He also posted: "Getting ready for [Smith's] press conference. Dem media better be ready for Danielle. Dey better get da story right!"
The premier's office was not amused and suggested that Carter was mocking Stelmach's rural background and Ukrainian roots.
Carter, who is not stranger to the rough and tumble world of politics, denied that was his motivation and deleted the tweets. He also offered an apology.
On his Twitter page, Stelmach wrote, "My press office has accepted an apology from Danielle Smith's chief of staff over an offensive Twitter post."
But Carter seems to be enjoying the attention - and appears keen on having the last word.
"Well, offending [the premier] has dramatically increased my followers. Negative action leads to moderately positive outcome," he tweeted.
Link to this postThursday, November 19, 2009 03:08 PM
They like us
Dawn Walton
The majority of people who live in the key oil and gas producing regions in Western Canada said they are fans of the energy industry, according to a survey released today.
The Ipsos Reid poll of 1,152 adults who reside in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (Alberta accounts for the vast majority of this country's domestic petroleum production) was conducted between June 8 to 21.
Fifty-eight per cent of respondents said they had a positive view of the energy industry, 21 per cent had a neutral opinion and 20 per cent had a negative outlook.
At the same time, 79 per cent of respondent said they believe statements made by local oil and gas company officials.
But when asked about how the industry could improve, almost a third of respondents said the energy business needs to work on environmental issues and one-fifth said they wanted to see more support for the quality of life in local communities while almost as as many said public relations could be better.
The results are considered accurate within 2.9 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
Thursday, November 5, 2009 07:06 PM
Flames flu flap
Dawn Walton
The flu flap around the special H1N1 influenza vaccination clinic for the Calgary Flames continues.
The fired Alberta Health Services worker, who has been called a scapegoat and sacrificial lamb by the public and opposition parties, may not be the only person facing the consequences for giving the green light to about 60 flu shots for hockey players, their families and team management at a private clinic. The province has said it is still investigating and other people could yet be disciplined for the debacle.
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach put his moral compass to the controversy this afternoon.
“It is deplorable. Obviously, heads did roll. It’s not right. Obviously somebody in a position of trust broke that trust,” he told reporters in Calgary.
Some people have accused Flames management of acting unethically by even asking public health for special treatment in the first place. After all, most of those inoculated wouldn’t fit provincial guidelines of "high-risk" for developing complications from the virus since there are few chronically ill people, mom's-to-be and children associated with professional hockey. Morever, every day last week it was well reported that members of the public stood in six-hour lines for the vaccine, but last Friday night, the Flames organization received a private audience with the vaccine.
But Stelmach steered clear of placing ethical blame with the NHL franchise.
“All I know is there was somebody in a position of trust and that trust was broken in a system that’s publicly funded,” he said, “… It wasn’t the right thing to do for the people in charge of handling the vaccine.”
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 04:06 PM
Choice words
Dawn Walton
For someone known for shooting from the hip, former Alberta premier Ralph Klein has little interest in saying anything about the political landscape now shifting in this province.
While attending an event at Mount Royal University in Calgary today, Klein told reporters he’s too busy focusing on business to put his mind to the state of his old party, a 38-year-old dynasty that is starting to show the signs of its age.
“I tend to stay away of politics and all things political,” Klein said.
But Danielle Smith, the newly elected leader of the Wildrose Alliance Party, is threatening to end Progressive Conservative rule as public opinion polls are showing she may be onto something. Meanwhile, Premier Ed Stelmach is battling falling personal and party popularity, is facing a mandatory leadership review in three weeks.
Still, Klein would only offer a few insights about Smith: she’s "nice" and a "hard worker.”
"I like her," he said. "She liked my brand of politics."
And, Klein merely said he had some sense of what it will feel like for Stelmach next month as party faithful prepare to pass judgment on him: “It was uncomfortable.”
Klein was forced out of the premier’s office after embarrassingly low support when his leadership was reviewed.
Previously, Klein publicly set the bar for Stelmach to stay on as leader at 70 per cent support. After much prodding by the assembled media, Klein reiterated that stance, refused to offer advice to Stelmach or the party and mumbled, "I think so. Enough said," when someone asked about Alberta's notoriously unhappy business community wanting a leadership change.
Klein, once the face of Alberta politics, but now opting to be so far removed, said he won't be voting in the leadership review.
For her part, Smith said in her first press conference of the week as leader that it doesn’t matter to her if Stelmach gets 51 per cent or 91 per cent support.
“Let them worry about their party while we in the Wildrose Alliance are worried about the province of Alberta,” she told reporters.
Friday, October 16, 2009 02:27 PM
Eye-opening visit
Dawn Walton
Dubbed dirty oil by critics and a safe, secure energy supply by supporters, the new U.S. Ambassador to Canada said he needed to visit Alberta's oil sands in order to debrief the Obama administration about the state of the world's second largest energy reserve.
But David Jacobson, the new U.S. envoy to Canada, hasn't said - at least publicly - which side of that controversial fence he's on.
"I learned a lot about the energy industry when I was in Calgary, but actually seeing it with my own eyes was essential to furthering my understanding of the U.S.-Canada energy relationship," he wrote in his blog.
Canada is the largest foreign supplier of oil and gas to the United States. But the Canadian oil industry has been concerned that U.S. energy legislation that is in the works could mean restrictions on oil sands shipments due to the development's carbon emissions rate.
Jacobson, who was named to the post last month, met with energy leaders in Calgary this week and then trekked north of Fort McMurray to see how oil is extracted, learn about new technology aimed at making the industry more efficient and environmentally friendly, meet with a local aboriginal leader and visit a spot of reclaimed land where bison now roam.
"In all of these discussions, we talked about the need for balance between energy production and environmental protection," he wrote.
Jacobson said he was amazed by the scale of the operation and even posted a photo of his wife, Julie, posed in front of a massive dump truck tire.
"I realize I have a lot more to learn, but this was a great introduction to the oil sands and the many issues related to its development," he wrote.
Thursday, October 8, 2009 02:08 PM
Poll position
Dawn Walton
It's tough to tell who should be more concerned - the Tories or the Liberals - by a new poll that shows growing support for the right-wing, fledgling Wildrose Alliance Party.
The poll, which was conducted Oct. 3-5 by the Citizen Society Research Lab at Lethbridge College, asked respondents which party they would vote for if a provincial election was held today.
The Progressive Conservatives have a commanding lead with 38.4 per cent, but the Wildrose Alliance jumped into second with 21.5 per cent support. The Liberals, meanwhile, grab 20.8 per cent support and the NDP has 10.7 per cent.
The Wildrose Alliance, which won a surprising by-election race in Calgary last month and now has 11,670 members who are eligible to vote in next weekend's leadership race, appears to be capitalizing on some buzz.
Keith Brownsey, a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said the results suggest a signficiant number of Albertans are looking for a place to park their vote as a protest to Premier Ed Stelmach's government. The data also speaks to the weakness of Liberal Leader David Swann. But either way, Brownsey points out, a provincial election is still a few years away and a lot can happen between now and then.
The telephone survey of 1,201 people is considered accurate within 3.2 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:28 PM
One down
Dawn Walton
After bumbling through the Wildrose Alliance leadership debate in Calgary last night, candidate Jeff Willerton used his closing remarks to bow out of the race.
He threw his support behind chiropractor Mark Dyrholm who now only faces political pundit Danielle Smith, the perceived front-runner to lead the fledgling right-wing party.
It became clear to the 400 or so people who packed into a hotel conference room that Willerton was in over his head. At times he declined to answer questions, said he had nothing to add to what the other two candidates had already said, and frequently, "I hate public speaking."
Dyrholm, a long-time campaign worker for the Reform Party and others of social and fiscal conservative leanings, held his own during the debate.
"This guy's pretty impressive," one man in the audience said.
"I think so too," the man beside him replied.
But Dyrholm annoyed some party faithful when he attacked Smith for her past newspaper columns apparently critical of chiropractic care.
"Come on Mark, build the party," a man in the audience blurted.
Smith dazzled listeners with her hard-hitting answers, anecdotes and hopeful message. She received a partial standing ovation before - and after - her closing remarks.
Dislodging the Progressive Conservative government won't be easy, she said, but it got a whole lot easier thanks to Monday night's by-election win for the party in Calgary-Glenmore.
Ted Allen of Calgary, who bought a Wildrose membership a few days ago, was impressed with Smith and the party's chances do exactly that if she takes the leadership on Oct. 17 in Edmonton.
"I think she's the real deal. She's a pistol. If the other guy wins this party is just going to be cranky old guys and religious nuts," he said. "If Dyrholm wins, this party is done."
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 03:21 PM
New book examines Klein era
Katherine O'Neill
Timing is everything in politics, and the same can often be said for political reporting.
Rich Vivone has just released a self-published tome on Alberta politics called Ralph Could Have Been A Superstar: Tales of the Klein Era. Mr. Vivone covered Alberta politics for 19 years before retiring in 2005 as the publisher Insight into Government, an independent newsletter.
An official Edmonton book launch party will be held Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Audreys Books on Jasper Ave.
No doubt, much of the cocktail chatter tonight will be about the rise of the Wildrose Alliance party and the Progressive Conservatives's future after its stunning third place finish in Monday’s Calgary by-election.
Mr. Vivone’s book, a collection of 12 essays, including one about the media and its “preoccupation with Ralph,” is a timely and often scathing analysis of the Progressive Conservative regime while it was led by Ralph Klein.
Mr. Vivone also offers political advice in an open letter to the current Tory leader and Premier, Ed Stelmach.
The book is an engaging, fast and often gossipy read.
Here are some excerpts:
Mr. Vivone on Ralph Klein:
"He was fine when he knew exactly what to do -- cut the deficit -- but when faced with reforming and rebuilding the province's political institutions to lead it into the 21st century, he was lost."
Mr. Vivone on Ed Stelmach:
“I covered the Legislature for 19 years as publisher of Insight into Government newsletter. I knew all the key political players. Ed Stelmach wasn’t one of them. Nothing in his performance in three cabinet portfolios suggested a budding Premier. He wasn’t noticed; he was only marginally interesting.”
Mr. Vivone on Stockwell Day:
“…not the most intellectual of ministers…”
“How Stockwell Day got as far as he has in politics – he’s a federal cabinet minister touted as a contender when Conservative leader Stephen Harper leaves – baffles me. Like many hard-line conservatives, Stockwell Day knows what he knows and nothing will change his mind.”
Mr. Vivone on the Alberta Liberals and NDP:
“The behaviour of the Liberals and the New Democrats is odd. Alone, neither is going anywhere. Election results over the last 25 years should tell them that…Sometimes it seems that the Liberals and New Democrats take greater delight in pounding each other than the Conservative Government.”
“Most likely, a new, fresh moderate party will rise, as Social Credit did in 1935 and the Lougheed Conservatives in 1971. New look, new agenda and most important, fresh faces to replace the tired Conservative Government. The Liberal party has never been able to put them all together. It was so before and will be so again.”
Mr. Vivone on Rod Love:
“In politics where gossiping, conniving and backstabbing are a way of life, Love was different. He may not have been universally liked – in some cases, he was feared because of the power he held over the Premier – but he was respected.”
Mr. Vivone on the Media:
“Television and newspapers didn’t cover the government; they covered Ralph. And that’s the way Klein and his Chief of Staff Rod Love wanted it. They wanted you to read about Ralph, not the opposition parties. Ralph had to be the essence of political coverage.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 06:39 PM
Pity party
Dawn Walton
The Wildrose Alliance's by-election win in Calgary-Glenmore Monday proved humilitating both for the governing Progressive Conservatives and the opposition Liberals.
Paul Hinman seemed to come out of nowhere to win with 37 per cent of the vote. He squeaked ahead of Liberal candidate Avalon Roberts, who grabbed 34 per cent support, and her third consecutive second place finish in the riding. Meanwhile, Tory hopeful Diane Colley-Urquhart attracted just 26 per cent of the vote in a riding that had been true-blue Conservative for 40 years.
Duane Bratt, a political scientist at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said the results demonstrate level of dissatisfaction with Premier Ed Stelmach's leadership, but also the waning relevance of the Liberals under recently elected leader David Swann.
“I really don’t know who the bigger loser is here, whether it is Stelmach or whether it is Swann,” he said.
Thursday, September 10, 2009 12:18 PM
Friends in high places
Dawn Walton
In the midst of a leadership race, the fledgling Wildrose Alliance Party continues to attract fans from interesting quarters.
Phil Klein, father of Alberta's former Tory premier Ralph Klein, has taken out a membership card, leadership contender Danielle Smith reports.
"I asked him if I could tell people and he said 'Yes,' but I don't think he expected the media would take an interest," Smith said today.
Others who have picked up memberships and are proud to say it include Tom Flanagan, a political scientist at the University of Calgary and former adviser to Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as well as former MPs with right-wing leanings, Eric Lowther, John Williams, David Chatters and Myron Thompson, according to Smith.
Ted Byfield and Ezra Levant, both familiar faces to the right-wing movement in Alberta, are doing endorsement dialouts for Smith.
The party's leadership vote is Oct. 17.
Alberta Watch Contributors
Katherine O'Neill
Katherine O’Neill is a national correspondent for The Globe and Mail based in Edmonton. Ms. O’Neill, who has also covered politics at Queen’s Park and Toronto City Hall, holds a political science degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a master of journalism degree from Carleton University.
Dawn Walton
Dawn Walton is a national correspondent for The Globe and Mail based in Calgary. Ms. Walton, who has a journalism degree from Carleton University and an LLB from Queen’s University, follows politics, but has also tracked the tragedies at Mayerthorpe and the avalanche at Rogers Pass.