What's Going on in Alberta?
First a Disclaimer:
Angus Reid Institute does good work when it runs surveys. They are far from perfect because there is no assured randomization in the sampling as they use online panels for responses.
That said, their poll results are “true” for those who answered the survey. But be careful in extrapolating any poll result in Canada as representative of the hearts and minds of your fellow citizens.
That Said:
Angus Reid recently published a Three-Part morbidly fascinating poll of Canadian's attitudes about our politics and the state of citizen disengagement.
I’m going to focus on Part 2 “More Believe Electoral System is Weakening than Becoming Stronger.” The survey asked, “...whether as series of significant pillar of a strong democracy…were strengthening or weakening in this country.” Spoiler Alert! Albertans are far and away in the belief that the pillars of Canadian democracy are growing weaker.
When asked “Thinking about each (pillar) would you say they are growing stronger or getting weaker in Canada, the Weaker responses were reported, and here are the comparative numbers:
THE RULE OF LAW APPLIED EQUALLY TO EVERYONE.
The UCP has passed a plethora of anti-democratic laws and erosion of the fuel of law. Think the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act and the Provincial Administrative Penalties Act for two primary examples.
53% of Canadians believe this is weakening and 67% of Albertans see this is weakening.
POWER IS INVESTED IN THE PEOPLE.
Reboot decries the excessive influence of dark money donors, the potential for extremists' takeover of political parties, and Political Action Committees' self-serving capacity to take over and control candidates.
51% of Canadians believe this is weakening and 69% of Albertans see this is weakening.
PROTECTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF EVERYONE.
The UCP is becoming increasingly Authoritarian and Fascistic in how it is governing. Look at the abusive Allan Public Inquiry into UnAblertan activities and the secret heavily funded, secretive, and unaccountable Kenney War Room designed for political propaganda purposes. Also, consider the abuse of LGBTQ students in public education and the destruction of GSA groups.
35% of Canadians believe this is weakening and 44% of Albertans see this is weakening.
FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.
This is a serious concern for citizens and citizenship. We see the Republicans undermining this principle of Democracy. We have the UCP previous leadership election under Criminal Fraud investigation by the RCMP. The General Election has numerous Elections Alberta fines against illegal UCP campaign financing breaches.
34% of Canadians believe this is weakening and 58% of Albertans see this is weakening.
46% of 18-34 year old men say elections have become less free and fair. That is a dangerous group if they stay seriously disgruntled, feel excluded, and are disregarded.
EVERYONE CAN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICS AND CIVIC LIFE IF THEY WANT.
Reboot Alberta is, at its essence, about the Citizenship Journey to enhance, enable and empower civic participation in politics and fixing our political culture.
24% of Canadians believe this is weakening and 35% of Albertans see this is weakening.
In all these questions Albertans were rated the lowest on these beliefs.
Only 62% of Albertans, again the lowest in the land, are “proud to live in Canada.” 14% are Unsure, the highest in the nation.
31% of Albertans agree that we have a “good system of government in Canada.
A mere 53% of Albertans feel that “Canada is a prosperous country.”
Some 57% of Albertans believe Canadians are a “caring society.”
We are on a downward spiral in Alberta by the looks of this. And this is only part of the survey findings.
