Wildrose Party States Its View of Alberta in Canada

Link Byfield, the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, of the new Wildrose Party of Alberta had some interesting observations yesterday on his Citizen’s Centre for Freedom and Democracy weekly Commentary. He has graciously given me permission to “post any or all of it.”

As we approach Canada Day it is appropriate that we think of how this country works and how Alberta fits in it. And we Albertans have to have that political conversation. In that spirit, here is most, but not all, of Link’s comments.

Link’s reasons for a new Alberta based right-wing party are interesting. They say “…federal change must come from the provinces not Ottawa, and that Alberta is the province best positioned to force that change. It has become obvious that Alberta’s traditional parties will never stand up to Ottawa, and that a new party must be formed to do it. The change of command from Ralph Klein to Ed Stelmach has left a large void in Alberta’s provincial politics.”

They see the Firewall Letter approach to isolate Alberta as key to the future of Alberta in Canada and he says, “…thinking people have realized that the Reform Party vision of Canada can only be implemented by provincial governments. The small alternatives of the past were not broadly based, and focused on the wrong things. They offered either separation or more right-wing government. Most Albertans have never wanted either, and still don’t.”

He goes on to make some other interesting comments on the state of Alberta, relations with the Harper government and our place in Canada. “Besides, as long as Ralph Klein was premier, the Tories were unbeatable. Politically speaking, Ralph put the whole province happily to sleep.”

I agree with this statement.

“Now that he’s gone, Albertans are waking up fast to the eternal reality that they are sitting ducks to federal aggression. Any fond hope in the Harper Conservatives vanished when they flip-flopped on Kyoto, taxed income trusts, and blatantly pandered to the “Quebecois nation” on equalization.

It’s quickly dawning on Albertans that it is not the job of the country’s prime minister to defend Alberta, much as they wish he would. It’s the job of the premier of Alberta.
Klein never did it. Stelmach isn’t doing it. And nobody thinks Liberal leader Kevin Taft will do it either.

The most striking thing about Alberta’s political scene since Ralph left is that while the Tories are steadily collapsing, the Liberals are not rising. Nobody is.

Besides, as long as Ralph Klein was premier, the Tories were unbeatable. Politically speaking, Ralph put the whole province happily to sleep.

Now that he’s gone, Albertans are waking up fast to the eternal reality that they are sitting ducks to federal aggression. Any fond hope in the Harper Conservatives vanished when they flip-flopped on Kyoto, taxed income trusts, and blatantly pandered to the “Quebecois nation” on equalization.

It’s quickly dawning on Albertans that it is not the job of the country’s prime minister to defend Alberta, much as they wish he would. It’s the job of the premier of Alberta.

Klein never did it. Stelmach isn’t doing it. And nobody thinks Liberal leader Kevin Taft will do it either.

The most striking thing about Alberta’s political scene since Ralph left is that while the Tories are steadily collapsing, the Liberals are not rising. Nobody is.”

I disagree often with Link Byfield but I have say he always makes me think!

Happy Canada Day!