With regards to Albertans voting en masse for right wing parties, Don Braid has an interesting article in today's Herald in which he comments on how Albertans are perceived as "stupid, undemocratic and live in a dictatorship" for their voting habits, yet Quebecers are "considered brilliant when they vote strategically". I've always mused about this difference in perceptions as well. In reality, Albertans and Quebecers are just voting for what's best for their own regional interests, yet they're certainly perceived differently for doing basically the same thing.
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...6-ab2b388523cc