Alberta Politics Thread v2

[Dion]

It appears MLA Robyn Luff has been removed from caucus. Somehow I think this going to backfire on the NDP and cause further damage to the image of Rachel Notley.

Wouldn't be surprised to see her sitting as an independent or crossing the floor to another party.

In a press release issued late Monday night, the NDP said the decision was made to remove Luff from caucus following a meeting of NDP MLAs.

“Owing to Ms. Luff’s actions, NDP MLAs have lost confidence in her ability to participate as a productive and trustworthy member of the government caucus,” the party said in the release.

“The NDP caucus strives to work collaboratively and respectfully to advance an agenda that works for Albertans.”

Luff, a complete newcomer to politics, apparently didn’t realize that being democratically elected doesn’t mean you’re elected to a democracy.

In a strong majority government, a premier’s power of command and control can be absolute, especially when the initial caucus was as inexperienced as Notley’s crew.

But Luff’s allegations are seriously damaging, partly because of her strong language, and also her decision to name and blame the premier herself.

https://calgaryherald.com/news/polit...er-of-bullying

[Oling_Roachinen]

Could have been a potentially damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for the NDP.

Luff was anti-keystone prior to joining the caucus. If her true opinion remains the same, that the Oilsands are dirty oil that need to be prevented as she was protesting in 2011, and that's what Notley and co were preventing her from saying it really was an absolute must. There's no chance for the NDP if they have an MLA openly opposed to pipelines.

But maybe Luff really has changed her views on the Oilsands...

[killer_carlson]

I have been told that the union/environmental traditional coalition in the NDP is no more. The environmentalists have been pushed to the margins on the party.

Which still hasn't got us our pipelines, but worthy to note.

[Mr.Coffee]

If the NDP want to govern Alberta then that was sort of a requirement.

[CaptainCrunch]

Not a good week for the NDP


https://globalnews.ca/news/4644922/a...la-robyn-luff/

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s office says two members of her NDP caucus have been accused of inappropriate behaviour since 2015.


Cheryl Oates, Notley’s spokeswoman, said in a statement that “in both circumstances, the alleged behaviour took place outside the workplace.”

[Dion]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Not a good week for the NDP


https://globalnews.ca/news/4644922/a...la-robyn-luff/

If this had happened in the UCP party, Notley would be asking Kenney why those people weren't removed from caucus.

[transplant99]

Tough spot for Notley moreso because it was only a couple hours later that the allegations came out after she was asked and replied...

“Are there any allegations or incidents of inappropriate behaviour towards women among your MLAs or among the Alberta NDP?” Notley was asked.

“Not that I’m aware of,” she replied.

“And, more importantly, we have a policy in our caucus around sexual harassment, both in terms of how to respond to concerns that are raised, as well as speaking often and having a code of conduct with respect to both our MLAs and our staff around these issues.”

Oates later said Notley believed the reporter’s question related to inappropriate conduct strictly within and among NDP caucus and staff.

It's a tough sell for Notley to say she misunderstood the question. She really just should have gotten out in front of it all when the whole topic came out. Now its damage control time instead.

[Dion]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1061003225078382593

[transplant99]

OK what am i missing here.....why should Kenney resign if her allegations are confirmed?

Not that either leader would but i am having trouble understanding what JK has to do with anything that occurred in Notleys caucus.

Weird.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by transplant99

OK what am i missing here.....why should Kenney resign if her allegations are confirmed?

Not that either leader would but i am having trouble understanding what JK has to do with anything that occurred in Notleys caucus.

Weird.

Luff thinks bullying and intimidation is a problem in all parties and wants an investigation. At least that's what I took from her message.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Dion

Luff thinks it's a problem in all parties.

Well i guess every leader of every party at every level should resign in that case.

That would be something!

[Dion]

nm

[Dion]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Well i guess every leader of every party at every level should resign in that case.

That would be something!

In the beginning I think she raised some valid points that created a lot of good discussion. What she is doing now is borderline ridiculous as no leader would ever agree to her demands. People are going to mock her for this.

She should go sit in the legislature and do her job or just resign.

[flames_fan_down_under]

It really is a shame that social conservatism is somehow inherently tied with fiscal conservative parties.

UCP would do well to get rid of this knob.

Also I will add that speaking at a rebel media event should be step number one in getting blacklisted from any political party that wishes to be taken seriously.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ikas-1.4901229

"How do we defeat today's totalitarianism? You've got to think about the common characteristics. It doesn't matter whether it's a hammer and sickle for communism, or whether it's the swastika for Nazi Germany or whether it's a rainbow flag, the underlying thing is a hostility to individual freedoms," Carpay said.


...


In arguments before the court, he alleged that gay-straight alliances — peer-support groups that are meant to tackle bullying and provide supportive environments for LGBTQ students — are "ideological sexual clubs."

[Dion]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

It really is a shame that social conservatism is somehow inherently tied with fiscal conservative parties.

UCP would do well to get rid of this knob.

Also I will add that speaking at a rebel media event should be step number one in getting blacklisted from any political party that wishes to be taken seriously.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...ikas-1.4901229

A few years ago I was at the Highwood golf course to hear then WRP leader Brian Jean do a townhall meeting with residents of High River. Leaving the parking lot I see Ezra Levant standing on the side of the road talking with some people. As I pass by I yell out: "Hey Ezra, buddy!!". He looks over at me to as if say thanks and wave and I say: "You suck!!".

IIRC he shouted out some obscenities towards me as I was driving away

[Ozy_Flame]

How many bowling pins have to fall in the UCP party before it's cleaned up? It's like there's an endless supply of halfwits who love to turn the party back 50 years every two weeks. And every single time it is reactionary after they get publicly exposed.

[White Out 403]

Just came to post the new bozo eruption from the UCP. God. Can we just do another 4 years of this fairly centrist, perfectly reasonable government we have now? Do we have to go full America and vote in these clowns? Really?

*sighs*

[Locke]

Originally Posted by White Out 403

Just came to post the new bozo eruption from the UCP. God. Can we just do another 4 years of this fairly centrist, perfectly reasonable government we have now? Do we have to go full America and vote in these clowns? Really?

*sighs*

What Universe are you living in? Our current Government are bunch of incompetent clowns.

I'm even comfortable including Notley in that statement because she didnt amazingly become competent overnight until it was painfully clear that her personal ethos was patently absurd and that unless she changed her ways she'd be back pounding the pavement looking for work.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Locke

What Universe are you living in? Our current Government are bunch of incompetent clowns.

I'm even comfortable including Notley in that statement because she didnt amazingly become competent overnight until it was painfully clear that her personal ethos was patently absurd and that unless she changed her ways she'd be back pounding the pavement looking for work.

Union guy dude, don't bother.

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by Locke

What Universe are you living in? Our current Government are bunch of incompetent clowns.

I'm even comfortable including Notley in that statement because she didnt amazingly become competent overnight until it was painfully clear that her personal ethos was patently absurd and that unless she changed her ways she'd be back pounding the pavement looking for work.

Why is changing your tune once you get into government seen as a bad thing?

I think that once a party gets into power, and starts understanding what they can and can't do, and who they are affecting, implementation of policies are far more centrist. We saw this with Harper (closed the book on abortion) and Trudeau ("approved" a pipeline) federally, and of course Notley provincially.

I definitely would expect Kenney to move towards the center on his policies, but his rhetoric is so toxic that it bothers me on a personal level. I wouldn't see the change in policy as a bad thing though.

The only guy that hasn't really compromised is Trump. Everyone expected him to act "presidential" and act responsibly for all the citizens of the USA once he became president, but he has basically doubled down on his childish persona.