Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Slava]

I don’t think Smith will resign, but I am surprised that there aren’t calls for her head within the party. I know, it’s politics and all that, but this is absolutely scandalous. The idea of just firing people so they can’t properly investigate, or pass along information for the RCMP to investigate is from a banana republic playbook. It’s shocking that none of the UCP members would see that and stay quiet.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don’t think Smith will resign, but I am surprised that there aren’t calls for her head within the party. I know, it’s politics and all that, but this is absolutely scandalous. The idea of just firing people so they can’t properly investigate, or pass along information for the RCMP to investigate is from a banana republic playbook. It’s shocking that none of the UCP members would see that and stay quiet.

Smith and the UCP remind me a lot of Trump in this way. Others in the party staying silent despite the horrible things going on, even those who were opposed to (Smith, Trump) early on.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Think the problem you would run into would be being able to find unbiased people for that board. The population is too polarized these days. Just read through the different political threads on here.

What if you made it intentionally anti sitting government.

The goal of the committee would be to find and document wrong doing in government. Get ex police and investigative journalists and expand and enforce freedom of information rules.

It doesn’t need to be unbiased as long as it’s always biased against government.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don’t think Smith will resign, but I am surprised that there aren’t calls for her head within the party. I know, it’s politics and all that, but this is absolutely scandalous. The idea of just firing people so they can’t properly investigate, or pass along information for the RCMP to investigate is from a banana republic playbook. It’s shocking that none of the UCP members would see that and stay quiet.

Who in her party is going to call for that? Hell, half of them probably have their own grifts going on.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don’t think Smith will resign, but I am surprised that there aren’t calls for her head within the party. I know, it’s politics and all that, but this is absolutely scandalous. The idea of just firing people so they can’t properly investigate, or pass along information for the RCMP to investigate is from a banana republic playbook. It’s shocking that none of the UCP members would see that and stay quiet.

I'm guessing that she will find a way to deflect by saying she's going to wait until the RCMP investigation of this is over.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Smith will never voluntarily resign. She's all about the power. And, honestly, I don't think she gives a %$#^ what the policies are. She just cares about staying in power and right now these are the policies those who are keeping her in power want.

As someone who is not originally from Alberta, I find it extremely strange that, except for that one blip, Albertans NEVER vote for anyone else. I mean, I guess if you want to be like Russia it makes sense, but ... weird.

I think with a popular, well spoken leader and how the UCP has treated even their own supporters there is a *chance* they get voted out next election. But I'm not counting on it. It's sad. I've lived here for years and have built a life here, but it's becoming more and more unbearable.

Change out smith for Trudeau and AB for eastern canada and your statement pretty much works as well.

You’re describing every politician ever.

[Reggie28]

Originally Posted by Torture

This whole coal mining thing is infuriating.

-UCP rescind the 1976 coal policy, telling coal companies 'come on in, chop up our mountains, coal mining is welcome on the Eastern Slopes!'
-People rightfully get outraged. Eventually the UCP backtrack - minus leaving the door open for the projects that were already in development.
-Coal companies sue for billions because we told them they could come mine the Eastern Slopes and then yanked the rug out under them.
-UCP backpedal and re-rescind the 1976 coal policy because they're scared of the lawsuit (nice backbone there UCP)
-Now people are again rightfully outraged that they're once again allowing coal mining on the Eastern Slopes.


So we either get a lawsuit (and we're only strengthening their claim with this flip flopping) or coal mining on the Eastern slopes and a poisoned watershed. Complete and utter incompetence. What a ####ing disaster.

Any word if the coal companies will have to put up a bond for reclamation and the inevitable environmental damage. Or does that only apply to solar and wind companies.

I’m not even sure how one would put up enough money to cover cleaning up an entire watershed. Most likely the citizens of Alberta will be on the hook, one way or another, either through loss of use or the cost of remediation.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Change out smith for Trudeau and AB for eastern canada and your statement pretty much works as well.

You’re describing every politician ever.

Except Trudeau has resigned.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don’t think Smith will resign, but I am surprised that there aren’t calls for her head within the party. I know, it’s politics and all that, but this is absolutely scandalous. The idea of just firing people so they can’t properly investigate, or pass along information for the RCMP to investigate is from a banana republic playbook. It’s shocking that none of the UCP members would see that and stay quiet.

The corruption is systemic in the UCP. Smith is just the latest leader that they'll punt, if necessary. I'll repeat, Klein was the last conservative Premier to complete an entire election cycle as leader.

[puffnstuff]

Smith has put out a statement.

https://bsky.app/profile/ctheriault..../3lhomitlvt22x

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Smith has put out a statement.

https://bsky.app/profile/ctheriault..../3lhomitlvt22x

Investigate, send the results to me, and make sure that it says I didn't do anything wrong.

Sounds like a totally fair and impartial process...

[puffnstuff]

Nenshi responds

'A strong response from leader of the Alberta NDP, blasting Premier Smith for what he said was a "non-statement." Says any investigations must not be delivered to those who are named in the allegations, but rather be independent and free from political interference.'

https://bsky.app/profile/aryn.bsky.s.../3lhoq36qpkc23

[Fuzz]

Claims the person, in the actual spotlight.




And even if she wasn't directly involved(if you are naive enough to believe that) the buck still stops with her. She was directing all of these things.


Goddamn, I read that statement from her again, and I just can't even imagine how she typed that.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Except Trudeau has resigned.

Smith can't resign yet. She has to take down PP before she goes.

[puffnstuff]

She just keeps failing and falling up.

Calgary school board? Board dissolved
Wildrose party? Floor crossing and out she goes
UCP leader/premier? TBD

[Harry Lime]

Is there a way to imprint bluesky on here, so that it's easy to read?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

She just keeps failing and falling up.

Calgary school board? Board dissolved
Wildrose party? Floor crossing and out she goes
UCP leader/premier? TBD

You missed the failing at being a radio host because the CRTC had too many complaints against her lies.

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Is there a way to imprint bluesky on here, so that it's easy to read?

If there is I dont know it.

[puffnstuff]

Had to go onto twitter for Smith statement...eew
Here it is

I have read various media stories containing allegations regarding the procurement and contracting processes of AHS. They are troubling allegations and they should be reviewed as quickly as possible.

To that end, I will be writing Auditor General Doug Wylie to ask for an expedited review and his findings on this issue.
I have also directed my officials to ensure that any request for information from Mr. Wylie or his office is dealt with on a fully transparent and expedited basis. We need to get to the bottom of this issue quickly to identify any potential wrongdoing, correct it, and address it appropriately.

I have also asked that AHS’s internal review be completed as quickly as possible and delivered directly to me so we can study the results and make improvements or adjustments to these processes. Until these findings are delivered, AHS has paused the contracting for the surgical facilities under review.

As Premier, I was not involved in any wrongdoing.#Any insinuation to the contrary is false, baseless and defamatory.

It’s no secret I have been unhappy with the level and quality of service delivered by AHS and in the inability of AHS to deliver quality and timely healthcare to Albertans. I will continue to relentlessly push forward to make improvements. Although that has required difficult decisions and major change, I do not accept the current results. There is a widespread and deep-seated resistance to change that we must overcome.
That’s my goal: better healthcare for all.

[Reggie Dunlop]

She has enough enemies inside her own party. Remember, Jason Kenney was arguably the most connected, influential Canadian Conservative (next to eminence grise Stephen Harper) and he was summarily dumped.

She was almost taken down last year. Someone with ambitions on the job will emerge.