Alberta Politics Thread

[woob]

My vote will likely be up for grabs next election, and I welcome Kenney to try and earn it. But the minute he even so much as dips his toe in some sort of socially conservative policy garbage, he and whatever party he winds up leading is dead to me. I'd rather have another 4 years of risky NDP economics than have some party rehash social issues which have been done and dealt with by the governing parties before them.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

If he's fulfilling his duties as an MP, and his campaign activities are limited enough until October to allow for the same, then it's fine. If not, and he's more invested in the campaign for PC leadership such that he can't do both competently, he should simply take an unpaid leave. No need to step down.

Well he already skipped committee meetings yesterday to launch the campaign, so at least so far he isn't fulfilling the duties. I do tend to agree though, if he can complete the duties for his job as an MP its fine.

[Zarley]

Well the alternative is that he steps down now triggering a by-election that will cost taxpayers $1 million or so when he may not even win the leadership. I'm not sure which is the better option.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Zarley

Well the alternative is that he steps down now triggering a by-election that will cost taxpayers $1 million or so when he may not even win the leadership. I'm not sure which is the better option.

Almost sounds like he is wasting tax payer dollars regardless.

Why does Kenney hate taxpayers so much?

Is this an indication of how he might govern if elected? Shades of Jim prentice if you ask me.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well he already skipped committee meetings yesterday to launch the campaign, so at least so far he isn't fulfilling the duties. I do tend to agree though, if he can complete the duties for his job as an MP its fine.

You act like this is some rare occurrence.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Zarley

Well the alternative is that he steps down now triggering a by-election that will cost taxpayers $1 million or so when he may not even win the leadership. I'm not sure which is the better option.

That has to happen anyways regardless of when he does it, unless you're suggesting he run his entire leadership campaign while retaining his seat.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Weitz

You act like this is some rare occurrence.

I personally don't care, but there was a healthy amount of Conservative bitching whenever Trudeau missed a day in the HoC while campaigning for the Liberal leadership.

[calgarygeologist]

Kenney should resign from his federal position but if he doesn't I don't see it as too big of a deal right now. Parliament is on summer break until late September/October (whatever it actually is) and basically he should be back at home looking after his constituents. Obviously there could be some conflict of interest but I also think that he could do his day job and also "campaign" for leadership at the same time.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by woob

My vote will likely be up for grabs next election, and I welcome Kenney to try and earn it. But the minute he even so much as dips his toe in some sort of socially conservative policy garbage, he and whatever party he winds up leading is dead to me. I'd rather have another 4 years of risky NDP economics than have some party rehash social issues which have been done and dealt with by the governing parties before them.

Well it was only yesterday (or Tuesday?) he was quoted here as saying we need to reduce the amount of socialism on those danged kids' shirts.

If he's already dictating to us what to wear on the daily then I can tell you we are in for quite a ride.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Kenney should resign from his federal position but if he doesn't I don't see it as too big of a deal right now. Parliament is on summer break until late September/October (whatever it actually is) and basically he should be back at home looking after his constituents. Obviously there could be some conflict of interest but I also think that he could do his day job and also "campaign" for leadership at the same time.

I think its fine. Why force someone to quit their job to try to get another one? If he can handle both and do an adequate job I don't see what the big deal is.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Well it was only yesterday (or Tuesday?) he was quoted here as saying we need to reduce the amount of socialism on those danged kids' shirts.

If he's already dictating to us what to wear on the daily then I can tell you we are in for quite a ride.

The amount of "old man yells at cloud" moments we'd get from Kenney would almost be worth him winning the leadership.

[RedHot25]

Well, for me, part of it is perception - I don't think anyone would argue that he wants an image of being a fiscal hawk, not wasting taxpayers hard earned dollars, etc. Fine...but then he goes and draws a salary from a publicly paid job that he won't be devouting all his work time to? Seems a bit do as I say not as I do.

Also taxpayers are paying him to spend part of his time campaigning at a partisan level at a different level of govt

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Slava

I think its fine. Why force someone to quit their job to try to get another one? If he can handle both and do an adequate job I don't see what the big deal is.

If my moonlighting gig conflicts with my main gig I will get fired.

He has already missed a committee meeting to start the first round of interviews for his new job.

Anyone else in management want to chime in on how you would deal with an employee who did that?

Also, what does it say about his own interest in this position if he is keeping his backup gig.

If I was a PC rank and file I'd feel like the mistress right about now.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

If I was a PC rank and file I'd feel like the mistress right about now.

It's totally the dude that moves in with his girlfriend but doesn't unpack his boxes for the first 6 months.

EDIT: Also known as me.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

If my moonlighting gig conflicts with my main gig I will get fired.

He has already missed a committee meeting to start the first round of interviews for his new job.

Anyone else in management want to chime in on how you would deal with an employee who did that?

Also, what does it say about his own interest in this position if he is keeping his backup gig.

If I was a PC rank and file I'd feel like the mistress right about now.

I would take time away from work for an "appointment" to interview for another job though. Everyone would. To suggest that for some reason politicians ought to do otherwise is just silly. If he is clearly doing nothing as MP, that is a different story, but seriously if it doesn't affect anything then whats the big deal?

And for the record I have absolutely zero intention of voting for Kenney in any capacity.

[Jacks]

Agree that as long as he's doing his job it's no big deal but if it starts to interfere then he should step down.

I don't remember Flash being too upset when Trudeau was skipping house votes while he was charging charities $20,000 for giving a speech which probably should be part of his MP duties.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by rubecube

The amount of "old man yells at cloud" moments we'd get from Kenney would almost be worth him winning the leadership.

Jason Kenney will create the chasm of all chasms with millenial Albertans. You watch - over the next three years he's going to alienate the PC's from the 18-34 crowd.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

If my moonlighting gig conflicts with my main gig I will get fired.

He has already missed a committee meeting to start the first round of interviews for his new job.

Anyone else in management want to chime in on how you would deal with an employee who did that?

Also, what does it say about his own interest in this position if he is keeping his backup gig.

If I was a PC rank and file I'd feel like the mistress right about now.

Last report MP's made 1 in 6 committee meetings or something like that. It's not a big deal.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Jason Kenney will create the chasm of all chasms with millenial Albertans. You watch - over the next three years he's going to alienate the PC's from the 18-34 crowd.

That doesn't really matter. They don't vote anyways.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Heading in to this I would not have bet than Kenney would be successful. Judging by the way our resident loonie lefters are trying to stir things up clearly somebody is worried. Maybe he's got a better chance than I thought.

Still not a big fan though.