The UCP leader has always had at least two faces but there's some small indications of a shift back to the one that Albertans thought they were electing.
Great essay - its going to be popcorn gobblin' and tossing back litres of cold beverages whilst point a finger and laughing watching Premier Measles stumble around threading her way through all her self-planted political face-palm landmines.
She and her UCP goombas have wasted a boom during a boom, slimed and gladhanded on medical procurement scandal, shredded any semblance of competent policy guidance on health care delivery while tap dancing to the one-note separtiste polka called by Mitch/Dennis and Jeff.
Is there a white cowboy hat even made for such pointy heads?
This isn’t an about-face; it’s a familiar Smith pattern: say “united Canada,” legislate for separatists, then act surprised when people notice the contradiction. Trust is earned by actions, not slogans.
Abacus data shows the UCP maintains a 23-point lead among voters aged 60 and over — the same demographic showing 71% opposition to separation. Those voters oppose separation and still vote UCP. They are making a priority calculation: economy, energy, and healthcare weigh more heavily than separatism as a ballot issue. Leger confirms this — healthcare leads at 24% as top issue, economy at 13%. Separatism does not appear as a primary ballot driver even among voters who are concerned about it.
Among UCP voters specifically, 41% are concerned about separatist movements — but they vote UCP anyway. That tells you the separatism concern is not a dealbreaker for the UCP base. In my view, civic education and participation is required to break the UCP cycle.
To be fair, many people think it’s not an issue that will affect them. Right now they’re still trying to get signatures and there’s no referendum so Smith et al can claim no one is talking about separation but the NDP. For now. They have until May 2 I believe.
True. Most don't believe separation can happen, which is not the point. Separation is division in the most literal sense. Division is what the UCP need to stay in power and to advance their authoritarian agenda. The NDP need representation in every corner of Alberta. There must be a viable option or the UCP is the only option. Which is why we believe in promoting civic education, now not later. People like Bonnie Critchley need to be encouraged to step up whether or not separation is on a referendum. All the information in the world doesn't matter, politics is about having the people in place to win.
Smith is a Trumpist, Separatist and Christian Nationalist. Look how well that formula is working out in the US? Look how the US is viewed globally. That is Alberta.
I think Smith herself is not religious, but then neither are the "Christian Nationalists", really. She's definitely a Trumpist and probably a Separatist, having surrounded herself with them such as Rob Anderson, Dennis Modry and the like.
Great essay - its going to be popcorn gobblin' and tossing back litres of cold beverages whilst point a finger and laughing watching Premier Measles stumble around threading her way through all her self-planted political face-palm landmines.
She and her UCP goombas have wasted a boom during a boom, slimed and gladhanded on medical procurement scandal, shredded any semblance of competent policy guidance on health care delivery while tap dancing to the one-note separtiste polka called by Mitch/Dennis and Jeff.
Is there a white cowboy hat even made for such pointy heads?
If there is, I bet it's made of tinfoil.
Maya Angelou said, “When people show you who they are, believe them.”
She is a one-act pony, bought and paid for, with no moral compass other than where to land on her feet.
Well, look at her background.
- Graduate of Calgary School, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_School
- Intern at Fraser Institute https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Institute
- Scab at Calgary Herald
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Smith
- Calgary School Board Trustee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Smith#:~:text=In%201998%2C%20Smith%20entered%20politics,the%20board%20had%20become%20dysfunctional.
- Wildrose Leader https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/danielle-smith-defends-floor-crossing-as-a-victory-for-wildrose-party-1.2880125
- Premier of Alberta
Good grief!
Great photo choice. Says everything about Magpie Danny!
When I was watching that presser it made me laugh and I saved it. It’s come in handy 😇
Absolutely the perfect photo of the "doe-eyed dimwit". Is she dancing the 'tango' or the 'tangle'?
I think it's the Bullshit Macarena! 😉
Bitch
Her instinct for self-preservation prevails again.
This isn’t an about-face; it’s a familiar Smith pattern: say “united Canada,” legislate for separatists, then act surprised when people notice the contradiction. Trust is earned by actions, not slogans.
So the story goes...
Based on the facts and evidence, she's playing both sides with the Christian Nationalists and separatists holding the most voting power.
Yes she is. The biggest benefit is that a (slight) majority of Albertans believe she supports separatism. https://abacusdata.ca/alberta-independence-remains-a-minority-view-most-believe-premier-smith-would-vote-to-separate/
Abacus data shows the UCP maintains a 23-point lead among voters aged 60 and over — the same demographic showing 71% opposition to separation. Those voters oppose separation and still vote UCP. They are making a priority calculation: economy, energy, and healthcare weigh more heavily than separatism as a ballot issue. Leger confirms this — healthcare leads at 24% as top issue, economy at 13%. Separatism does not appear as a primary ballot driver even among voters who are concerned about it.
Among UCP voters specifically, 41% are concerned about separatist movements — but they vote UCP anyway. That tells you the separatism concern is not a dealbreaker for the UCP base. In my view, civic education and participation is required to break the UCP cycle.
To be fair, many people think it’s not an issue that will affect them. Right now they’re still trying to get signatures and there’s no referendum so Smith et al can claim no one is talking about separation but the NDP. For now. They have until May 2 I believe.
True. Most don't believe separation can happen, which is not the point. Separation is division in the most literal sense. Division is what the UCP need to stay in power and to advance their authoritarian agenda. The NDP need representation in every corner of Alberta. There must be a viable option or the UCP is the only option. Which is why we believe in promoting civic education, now not later. People like Bonnie Critchley need to be encouraged to step up whether or not separation is on a referendum. All the information in the world doesn't matter, politics is about having the people in place to win.
Beck and call girl! Winner!
An Alberta Treaty chief just met with King Charles over Smith’s Separation shenanigans.
Such a sparkle to your writing! Refreshing to read a smart acerbic take from over the mountains - thank you!
Well, look at her background.
- Graduate of Calgary School, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_School
- Intern at Fraser Institute https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Institute
- Scab at Calgary Herald
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Smith
- Calgary School Board Trustee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Smith#:~:text=In%201998%2C%20Smith%20entered%20politics,the%20board%20had%20become%20dysfunctional.
- Wildrose Leader https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/danielle-smith-defends-floor-crossing-as-a-victory-for-wildrose-party-1.2880125
- Premier of Alberta
Good grief!
Her perception may be based on tampering with the votes...that is the only way in hell that she would get 53%!
An about face. Deirdre, is Danielle Smith not a politician?
She has two faces. Maybe more.
“…contorted her government’s position into that of a beck-and-call girl…”
ZING!
Smith is a Trumpist, Separatist and Christian Nationalist. Look how well that formula is working out in the US? Look how the US is viewed globally. That is Alberta.
We are not the same. At least 70-30 not the same.
Under UCP Alberta is viewed as a joke globally. So is the US.
I think Smith herself is not religious, but then neither are the "Christian Nationalists", really. She's definitely a Trumpist and probably a Separatist, having surrounded herself with them such as Rob Anderson, Dennis Modry and the like.
Christian Nationalists are bigots and believe in wealth above all else. There is nothing Christian about a Christian Nationalist.