Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Whynotnow]

And in other news the Feds are going to announce a cap and trade system, they asked smith to sign an nda. She of course threw a fit and refused because even the appearance of cooperation would be bad for the base even if it would be good governance.

[Muta]

Alberta given 'Fossil of the Day' award by activists at global climate summit

Province fell into climate bad books for temporary ban on large-scale wind and solar projects

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bakx-c...erta-1.7050478

Environmental activists put a spotlight on Alberta's climate record on Wednesday at the COP28 climate summit by giving the province the so-called "Fossil of the Day" award.

The Climate Action Network hands out the award daily at UN climate summits, but it's usually given to national governments, not a province or state. At previous summits, Canada was given the award on multiple occasions under both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Definitely a fun article, haha. Congrats on Smith and her band of toxic avengers landing Alberta the energy equivalent of a Raspberry Award for their outstanding(ly poor) performance in the field of renewable projects! This award is normally reserved for national governments, but Alberta really rolled up their sleeves this year to make sure they didn't leave empty-handed.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by darockwilder

You can discern what those are? I can make sense of them, but I guess if you already know what they are it's easier.

She always wears that hypocritical “Children First” pin, and the wardrobe is all what I call “conspicuous Christianity”.

[Faust]

Kathleen Ganley

The UCP just passed the Act to remove limits on gifts that MLAs can receive. They used closure to ram it through over our objections, at 9:40 at night.

People can’t afford their kids Christmas gifts, but the UCP’s concern is MLAs getting gifts over $200. #AbLeg

https://x.com/kathleenganley/status/...654804831?s=61

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Faust

Kathleen Ganley

The UCP just passed the Act to remove limits on gifts that MLAs can receive. They used closure to ram it through over our objections, at 9:40 at night.

People can’t afford their kids Christmas gifts, but the UCP’s concern is MLAs getting gifts over $200. #AbLeg

https://x.com/kathleenganley/status/...654804831?s=61

good job, Calgary voters.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Oh look, she's doing exactly what she said she would do. Big ####ing surprise.



Thanks, #######s. That means you, UCP voters, if there was any confusion.

It's a not insignificant portion of this very message board. They're the evil, destructive government that they showed they'd be before we voted them in. Shame on you idiots. Seriously.

[Izzle]

The UCP did not commit to honoring the results of the APP referendum. Makes u think .

[Muta]

Ramming through an act later in the night that removes caps on gift giving to their MLAs is just another ####stain on this party's face. The UCP's constant political shenanigans are unbelievably exhausting and embarrassing. Can't believe we have another 3.5 years of this until an election. I hope by then the NDP have completely re-thought their strategy and vision for winning.

[Ozy_Flame]

The UCP are heavily relying on the engrained conservativism in their voter base that will spin doctor every misstep along the way. These people default to a supportive position and only on rare exceptions will they think out loud to the contrary.

It should come as no surprise when you tell them that the UCP are allowing bigger gifts, and they'll just tell you it's "the cost of doing business".

Essentially, this is a party that would campaign on 2+2=5 and their base (including their urban supporters in big cities) will tell you how you're not looking at the full picture if you think that's wrong or you're un-Albertan for doing so.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Muta

Ramming through an act later in the night that removes caps on gift giving to their MLAs is just another ####stain on this party's face. The UCP's constant political shenanigans are unbelievably exhausting and embarrassing. Can't believe we have another 3.5 years of this until an election. I hope by then the NDP have completely re-thought their strategy and vision for winning.

I can't believe Notley is still their leader....

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

The UCP are heavily relying on the engrained conservativism in their voter base that will spin doctor every misstep along the way. These people default to a supportive position and only on rare exceptions will they think out loud to the contrary.

It should come as no surprise when you tell them that the UCP are allowing bigger gifts, and they'll just tell you it's "the cost of doing business".

Essentially, this is a party that would campaign on 2+2=5 and their base (including their urban supporters in big cities) will tell you how you're not looking at the full picture if you think that's wrong or you're un-Albertan for doing so.

It's amazing how many conservatives would rather just tow the party line and let things self-destruct in the background, not question anything (because you can't question the blue party in Alberta) and delude themselves thinking this is the same PC party it's always been. You nailed it - the spin doctoring is pervasive, because blue.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

I can't believe Notley is still their leader....

Jespersen covers it twice this week (Monday and Tuesday) with how the NDP proceeds forward, and who the new leader may be.

My money is on Rakhi Pancholi.

[cral12]

Fck.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1732826501903753680

From one of the links circa 2017:
"Watchdog Integrity B.C. said by the time a new government comes in, it's often too late to avoid such pricey payouts because previously signed contracts have to be honoured.
"It's a shame for B.C. taxpayers," executive director Dermod Travis told CTV News.
"It's not even comparable to what you see in other provinces, what you see at the federal level. And in fact MLAs who retire or get defeated have a worse severance package from the B.C. legislature. It's completely out of proportion."
Another 24 staffers were paid between $100,163 and $474,552. The latter was for Athana Mentzelopoulos, who served as deputy minister of corporate priorities and, more recently, as deputy finance minister."

[timun]

Mentzelopolous had most recently been executive director of the AMA, and prior to that was temporary lead of AHS EMS, and was deputy minister of the Treasury Board and finance in the Kenney government.

(Just so we're all clear she didn't just get parachuted in from BC for this position.)

[MarchHare]

What is the rationale of removing the $200 cap on the value of gifts that may be accepted by MLAs? This is at best more grift for UCP cronies and at worst legalizing bribery, right?

Is any UCP supporter brave enough to try to justify this in a reasonable and logical way?

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by cral12

Fck.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1732826501903753680

From one of the links circa 2017:
"Watchdog Integrity B.C. said by the time a new government comes in, it's often too late to avoid such pricey payouts because previously signed contracts have to be honoured.
"It's a shame for B.C. taxpayers," executive director Dermod Travis told CTV News.
"It's not even comparable to what you see in other provinces, what you see at the federal level. And in fact MLAs who retire or get defeated have a worse severance package from the B.C. legislature. It's completely out of proportion."
Another 24 staffers were paid between $100,163 and $474,552. The latter was for Athana Mentzelopoulos, who served as deputy minister of corporate priorities and, more recently, as deputy finance minister."

Fired is a bit misleading. She was dismissed by the Liberal premier along with the others a day before the NDP took over, and collected a fat severance package. I have no opinion on her competence, but this event doesn't speak to it one way or another.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by timun

Mentzelopolous had most recently been executive director of the AMA, and prior to that was temporary lead of AHS EMS, and was deputy minister of the Treasury Board and finance in the Kenney government.

(Just so we're all clear she didn't just get parachuted in from BC for this position.)

makes me feel sooooo much better...

[aaronck]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

What is the rationale of removing the $200 cap on the value of gifts that may be accepted by MLAs? This is at best more grift for UCP cronies and at worst legalizing bribery, right?

Is any UCP supporter brave enough to try to justify this in a reasonable and logical way?

Spoiler!

[Muta]

St. Albert restaurant backs out of hosting Take Back Alberta Christmas party

https://www.stalbertgazette.com/loca...-party-7933400

The Skybox Grill located inside St. Albert's Servus Place recreation centre has cancelled a reservation made by controversial political group Take Back Alberta for a Christmas party.

Apparently TBA dictator and hardline muppet David Parker is having a meltdown on Twitter/X. Perfect! Guess they'll have forget Alberta for now, and find a way to now somehow take back their Christmas party.

[iggy_oi]

Originally Posted by Muta

St. Albert restaurant backs out of hosting Take Back Alberta Christmas party

https://www.stalbertgazette.com/loca...-party-7933400



Apparently TBA dictator and hardline muppet David Parker is having a meltdown on Twitter/X. Perfect! Guess they'll have forget Alberta for now, and find a way to now somehow take back their Christmas party.

Would have been more entertaining for the restaurant to host them and have all of their staff cross dress that night and tell TBA they were unionizing.