Brian Mills 🍁

The assessment of Harper's "merits" as leader seems to be a suspicious case of rewritten history, however the portrayal of Poilievre's actions and pugnacious nature are highly accurate. Harper managed to appear as a steady hand at the helm to many, but Poilievre isn't even close to that description.

Lines between the truth and the AB independence movement get murkier all the time. There're some people involved with politics who believe that lying & cheating to win elections (or maybe plebiscites) is perfectly O.K. as long as it supports their cause, and if that's what it takes to "win". #ABpoli

So suddenly in Canada, there's no wall between political parties and Police forces? Hmm... I wonder when that happened? Poilievre and many CPC supporters lust after that kind of influence or control. Don't hand it to them, or risk a version of what we now see unfolding south of the 49th! #CDNpoli

A ‘jaw-dropper’ poll showed surging support for an Alberta separatist party. Turns out the polling firm and the party weren’t so separate The Alberta Republican Party leader previously had an ownership stake in the same polling company that reported support for his new party was surging.

Remember Cameron Davies of Jason Kenny's "Dark Horse" leadership campaign notoriety? Well there's a link here. Caveat, be very careful which polls you actually believe. Polls are usually conducted by an organization willing to pay for them, and are prone to being biased. So I give you...

Dannielle Smith wants to serve up Alberta independence on a plate, but most Albertans have no appetite for her recipes. The Queen of distraction will flunk out of cooking class. #ABpoli

It’s totally disheartening that Daniel Smith and her friends spin tall tales so often! Even worse, if folks believe them or don’t take the time to think about issues critically.

Don’t TAKE the bait, that should read!

Yes indeed. Smith is very quick to hurl verbal abuse in the direction of Canadian politicians she does not agree with. Just look at her track record. However, she NEVER has a disparaging word to offer against any of the current US administration. Speaks volumes. Where are her true allegiances then?

Smith trying to ram this (un-Canadian) agenda down the throats of Albertans without ever asking for their permission. She's simply attempting to lure the unsuspecting population into a trap which might have no escape. Folks, DO NOT allow this and don't the bait, no matter how it's presented. #ABpoli

Smith and the UCP sycophants lust after power and worship the ground the GOP (and Trump) walk on. Make no mistake, her team wants to align themselves politically. Case in point, has she ever critiqued any of the abhorrent corruption and repressive tactics being implemented by the GOP? Nope! #ABpoli

Bruce Cockburn

One of the cool things about Cirque Du Soleil is at the end of the show when everyone is coming out and doing bows, all of the stagehands and camera ppl come out too. It's great to see behind the scenes people being acknowledged. Doesn't happen very often in most scenarios.

Agreed! Cirque shows are an amazing visual treat, but couldn't happen without superb collaborative efforts between the on-stage performers and those talented folks running all of the sound, lights and equipment needed in the performances.

Oh to have been a fly on the wall during that conversation! Mr. Carney is no meek push-over. Sooner or later he'll likely bring up the topic of past Fed payments to AB in support of public health care, and then demand receipts. He needn't tread as carefully with Smith as he does with Trump. #CDNpoli

You bet I will!

The Fed Gov't interest in approving major projects of national importance should NOT include approvals of Danielle Smith's fantasies and pipe dreams! Right now, that's all she's got, and until oil prices increase drastically, and look like they'll stay high, things won't change. It's all hot air.

Sums up current Conservative political strategy nicely!

Dave Eby 🇨🇦 just absolutely schooled Danielle Smith. #cdnpoli

Smith's ENTIRE focus is on finding ways to make the Federal Gov't look bad while fanning the separatist sentiments in Alberta. She can't fathom the values of diplomacy and using cooperation instead of confrontation in intergovernmental affairs and negotiations. Must be the loudest voice in the room!

Jen Gerson: Maybe this angry panel will fix it! Alberta tries for Round 3 of the Fair Deal panel.

Good column.

Overdue, and filled with conclusions a lot of people arrived at many, many months ago, but hey, credit where it's due.

www.readtheline.ca/p/jen-gerson...

I could take issue with some of Ms. Gerson's assessments of the Fed. Gov't (past & present), but she's spot on with the strong desire to see AB Prov Gov't shift its focus to governing the Province responsibly and dealing with the hugely important social issues of the day. Distraction won't do that!

On opposition for her pipeline project…

Smith said today is she had her way she would redraw the borders and then went into a treatise on how failure of Canada to give her what she wants is indicative of Canada being a failed state.

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

If I ran a legit large O&G Co. interested in potentially finding financing for a new oil line across B.C. to tidewater, the very last thing I'd want would be the AB Gov't to design it! The UCP has yet to prove it can responsibly manage its own province, let alone understanding issues in another one.

I hope they'll put more thought into this scheme than they did in forcing on the City their ridiculous altered design for an elevated LRT track running through downtown Calgary. I'll believe that when I see it though. I think you've actually spilled the beans on Dani's "set-up the Feds" strategy.

Smith owes most of her existence and continuance as Premier to her big suck-up to the O&G lobby. True, it's a powerful driver of the AB economy and a ready source of cash for Gov't coffers (and one suspects also UCP donations), but not the only game in town. Ignores everything else of importance!

A VERY good question! However, listening is something that the UCP fails badly at. They'd much rather "instruct" than inform themselves. They've lost touch with the people they were elected to serve. #ABpoli

Bruce McAllister is NOT an elected official. Rather was appointed by Danielle Smith to run her office. She should be defined by the company she keeps. He's long been a proponent of corporal punishment, so Smith owns his comments. She doesn't listen to average ABtans, only to the voices in her head.

Talk about travel disincentives! If someone is turned away at the border by a U.S. official at a Canadian airport, they could simply return home. If they are turned away once landed in the USA, they very well could be apprehended and put into custody. Why take that chance?

This should be no surprise. Trump complained loudly and frequently about a flood of fentanyl pouring across the border from Canada into the U.S. and used this excuse for instituting tariffs. His claims are totally baseless, but would he listen? One BIG reason Canadians won't visit or buy U.S. goods.