The Alison Redford transgressions thread. Update- Redford quits.

[calgarygeologist]

I'm glad to see Redford gone. Hopefully the future of Alberta politics is much more positive now.

She resigned a day before the release of the Auditor General's report and I'm sure that will have some interesting information in it.

[Nufy]

No severance eh ???

I smell a Gary Mar like position in her future.

Big salary, living allowance, expenses etc... fay far away from the taxpayers all seeing eyes.

[Canehdianman]

Ding Dong, the witch is dead!

Hopefully we see an RCMP investigation into her antics. I'd like to watch Slava defend her for another couple hundred posts while maintaining that he isn't biased at all.

[Voodooman]

Originally Posted by Nufy

No severance eh ???

I smell a Gary Mar like position in her future.

Big salary, living allowance, expenses etc... fay far away from the taxpayers all seeing eyes.

I don't think so. She's toxic, and no one inside the PC party will ever give her the time of day again. There will be no cushy patronage spot for her, or any spot, anywhere inside the public service, at any level.

Usually retiring premiers and high level officials get a bunch of plum offers to sit on boards and collect money just for adding their name to the corporate masthead. But really, what private firm that is conscious of their image at all would want to be associated with her? Not to mention, having her in your organization will likely kill any political influence you once had.

She hasn't got a friend left in the world, which is exactly what she deserves. Go back to Africa and save the world. No one wants you here.

[CaptainCrunch]

I'm sorry, but I don't have a lot of trust for this Government or this party right now.

Redford going away without a fight doesn't smell right to me, at some point there will be a consulting contract going through a family members company, or we'll find out that Redford got a million dollar check for expenses incurred as an MLA. Maybe her daughter will get a summer job as an assistant to an MP.

My gut is that they paid to let her go, it seems to be the way.

[darklord700]

I know jail time is a longshot but I do hope the RCMP will get involved after the auditor's report is released. They just needed to interview the staff that booked the flights for her to get to the bottom of this.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

We don't know what the auditor general's report will say, I think that it would be prudent to refrain from wishing jail time until we have an accurate account for what happened. At this stage it is good that she is gone for everyone's sake. The government can get back to governing without the sideshow, the opposition can attempt to focus on real issues that matter (license plates excluded), Redford can get on with her life, and the PCs can put this as a side note in their past.

The PCs will likely hang any possible corruption at her feet and watch her sink with it and then rinse their hands and claim all is well.

[Northendzone]

I wonder if she writes her non-statements on her own or if she still can draw on one of the governments communication experts........I am sure that within her own party she still has a couple of supporters, terrible people like her always do.

As a working person, I would love to see her be fore end to give up the publicly funded portion of her pension plan, but that won't happen........I am assuming that this will all go away in a month or so.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

Originally Posted by fotze

The saddest part of all this is that it truly represents the chaff that we seem to have in provincial politics right now. Just how big a bunch of losers do we have representing us that this turd was elected leader.

The real problem is what it says about the ignorance and apathy of the common voter.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by fotze

The saddest part of all this is that it truly represents the chaff that we seem to have in provincial politics right now. Just how big a bunch of losers do we have representing us that this turd was elected leader.

I don't disagree, but you have to wonder whether any self-respecting professional would want to be a part of this? I mean yes, there are obvious issues like the fake passengers, but that came to light in the last couple weeks. Before that it was just nitpicking and people from various departments just doing whatever they please with the government accountable at the end of the day. Why would anyone leave a position in the private sector to put their name on the line to deal with that?

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by darklord700

I know jail time is a longshot but I do hope the RCMP will get involved after the auditor's report is released. They just needed to interview the staff that booked the flights for her to get to the bottom of this.

The RCMP absolutely should be involved in this.

For me, an over-expensed trip is far far less on the shady radar than fake passengers. The latter seems criminal.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't disagree, but you have to wonder whether any self-respecting professional would want to be a part of this? I mean yes, there are obvious issues like the fake passengers, but that came to light in the last couple weeks. Before that it was just nitpicking and people from various departments just doing whatever they please with the government accountable at the end of the day. Why would anyone leave a position in the private sector to put their name on the line to deal with that?

Why wou;d anyone run at all if they know they wont be elected unless they toe the conservative line, either PC or Wildrose.

Things are getting progressively worse in Alberta, but the only way to get elected is to fall in line with it.

As a politician in Alberta, your hands are basically tied before you enter the race.

It's like a contest of who can do the best Ralph impersonation, with the least amount of actual substance.

[darklord700]

If it is found true that Redford did block the seats and use government planes as her private jets, she should pay back the value of those seats out of her own pocket.

It is no different than stealing and when an employee is caught stealing in the private sector, they are usually asked to pay back their company.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't disagree, but you have to wonder whether any self-respecting professional would want to be a part of this? I mean yes, there are obvious issues like the fake passengers, but that came to light in the last couple weeks. Before that it was just nitpicking and people from various departments just doing whatever they please with the government accountable at the end of the day. Why would anyone leave a position in the private sector to put their name on the line to deal with that?

Ask Jim Prentice. I doubt any of us could leave a 7 figure job at one of the big 5 banks for politics, yet here he is. Maybe working in banking is worse than politics?

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

I don't think so. She's toxic, and no one inside the PC party will ever give her the time of day again. There will be no cushy patronage spot for her, or any spot, anywhere inside the public service, at any level.

I agree, but what gives me pause it that after months of hanging onto her MLA position it seems like she is going away a bit too quietly. From her letter it does not appear to be arising from any admission that she did anything wrong. So what lead to her resignation, a carrot or a stick?

Perhaps the auditor's report is more damning than has been speculated. Will be interesting to read.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by fotze

No, I think it is more about who are attracted to this world or more importantly who this world attracts to become part of it. Seems much better people are attracted to municipal politics and even federal. The provincial world just seems lost in a limbo.

Reading through profiles/materials of folks running in last election, the crap spread across all party lines just leaves you shaking your head.

Even if a few decent folks manage to get in they are drowned out by the loudmouth soundbite drivel machine.

I do certainly think part of this is the same party getting elected year after year.

I'm sure that you love guys like Sean Chu, but there are bad candidates at every level!

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

The real problem is what it says about the ignorance and apathy of the common voter.

Ignorance and apathy or a lack of real options? The Liberal party should be re-branding in this province and taking advantage of a ####ty party in power and an opposition that people don't really want in power.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by darklord700

If it is found true that Redford did block the seats and use government planes as her private jets, she should pay back the value of those seats out of her own pocket.

It is no different than stealing and when an employee is caught stealing in the private sector, they are usually asked to pay back their company.

Yes, restitution is a minimum requirement IMHO. If its true she should be charged criminally, its not just theft its fraud.

[darklord700]

Again this woman is hopeless. She still wouldn't say that "I made mistakes" but rather "mistakes were made". At this point, coming out bluntly with "I made mistakes" could have won her some sympathy.

She thought she gained dignity by not admitting she had made mistakes but people see right through her rhetoric.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

I agree, but what gives me pause it that after months of hanging onto her MLA position it seems like she is going away a bit too quietly. From her letter it does not appear to be arising from any admission that she did anything wrong. So what lead to her resignation, a carrot or a stick?

Perhaps the auditor's report is more damning than has been speculated. Will be interesting to read.

The PC party wanted her gone as fast as possible because her name is so toxic. As with Stelmach, they think that just getting rid of her will solve all of their problems. And while things like the goverment's lies about freezing salaries for senior staff won't fly under the radar without Redford to serve as a distraction, the PCs are unquestionably better off with Redford as far away from them as possible. I think it unlikely that there is a carrot here. That would come back to bite the party big time.