Butt Out Of Alberta Issues!

So, I'm reading this article in the Edmonton Sun, and I'm thinking, what the heck is this guy talking about? He is so off base with what is happening in Alberta that he must be a Liberal. It's worse than that, he is sitting in Ontario and telling Albertans what is going on in our province. Nice.

As the grassroots Wildrose Alliance continues its inexorable rise in Alberta, Stephen Harper will be eyeing the rear-view mirror. He may be a little nervous.

This week, in a move that surprised few but is momentous nonetheless, one of former Alberta premier Ralph Klein’s best friends bolted from the Conservatives to join Wildrose as interim president.

This was a provincial shift, not federal. But the ripples are sure to reach Ottawa before long.

Wildrose, led by newcomer Danielle Smith, is everything that Premier Ed Stelmach’s entrenched Alberta PC party is not; brash, fresh, engaging and infused with the kitchen-table conservatism that gave rise to the Reform Party 20 years ago.

Stelmach, who had the unlucky fate of succeeding the most popular leader in Alberta’s history, is struggling. His critics deem him to be autocratic and out of touch. On his watch, Alberta has gone from being a fiscal superstar to posting a deficit of close to $5 billion.

Now look to Ottawa — where Prime Minister Stephen Harper leads a federal government that is also posting record deficits — $56 billion and counting. Harper too has occasionally been accused of being autocratic and out of touch.

For the time being, the PM’s hold on Alberta is secure. He retains the cachet of a hometown boy made good. But his coalition grows increasingly unwieldy. How to satisfy centrist Ontario and left-leaning Quebec without alienating right-leaning Alberta?

Okay, what does the provincial Wildrose party have to do with the federal Conservative party? Should the federal Liberals be held to account for Dalton's HST? Should the provincial Liberals in Ontario be held to account for the federal Liberals stealing millions of taxpayers dollars?

"For the time being the PM's hold on Alberta is secure"???? Are you nuts? Close to 60% support and he should be worried about the Wildrose PROVINCIAL party? His "coalition"??? I thought the "coalition" was the Liberals/NDP/Bloc, but this guy thinks Conservatives across Canada uniting is a "coalition"?

I couldn't believe how out of touch this reporter was, so I googled him, and actually laughed out loud, waking my hubby from his nap.



Some guy from Ontario is an expert on Alberta politics? Really? No wonder I have not been reading the Sun lately. What a joke!

I know that this reporter doesn't want to hear this, from a born and raised Albertan but, you should butt out of Alberta issues, you made yourself look like an idiot, you have absolutely no understanding of Alberta and our politics.

Voting for Wildrose will have absolutely no impact on PM Harper or the federal Conservatives. NONE!

Now as far as provincial voting goes, the Wildrose will win some seats, but only if they get their act together and start nominating candidates. I saw nothing about any candidates on their site.

They will get my vote, on one issue only. Abolishing the Alberta Human Rights Commission. All the other issues are not different enough from the PC party to make me change my vote. Looking at their policies, they are the PC party. Same junk, different faces.

So, I Email The Premier About The AHRC...

And this is what I get. I'm actually not unhappy with the response, at least I got one. What I think needs to happen is more people emailing the Premier about the Alberta Human Rights Commission. It is clearly not on the Minister's radar, so email the Premier, let him know you are upset with the AHRC. It doesn't hurt, and if enough of us send emails, it will become an issue. Here is my email:

I am Alberta born and bred, I am a staunch Conservative supporter and I am of Ukrainian decent. I will NOT vote for your government again, unless you rein in your human rights commissions. They are nothing more than kangaroo courts with too much power and NO accountability.

The idea that "truth is not a defence" is so repugnant to me and my conservative values, that I can not support a party that actually sent a government lawyer to "convict" a pastor and make him renounce what he believes. What happened to freedom of religion? Free speech? This in Alberta, the land of the strong and free.

I live in a riding in Edmonton that only won by 50 some votes, it's a riding that could easily go Liberal again, and don't count on the fact that you and your party are safe for 4 more years. Next election, I will vote Wildrose Alliance if you do not stop the AHRC in it's tracks.

I do not like Liberal Lite, I want a government that stays out of my life, and lets me practice my religion without fear of the AHRC putting me through the wringer because I write a comment in a paper, like Rev. Boissoin did. I disagree with some of what he said, but I respect his right to say it. The HRC's are taking away my right to agree or disagree, can you not see it for the cancer it is? Do something or lose votes.

The response:

Dear :

The Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier, forwarded your recent e-mail regarding the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission. As Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, responsible for the Commission, I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Every Albertan has the right to live free from discrimination. The Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission has a two-fold mandate: to foster equality and reduce discrimination. It fulfills this mandate through public education initiatives and the resolution and settlement of complaints of discrimination.

If Albertans feel that their rights are not being respected, they can discuss their concerns with the Commission. The Commission is required to accept all complaints that fall within its jurisdiction. A large number of these complaints are resolved by meeting with the two parties and trying to mediate a solution. For others that can't be resolved, there is an established process in place to address the concerns raised that provides an opportunity for both parties to be heard.

The Albertans Human Rights and Citizenship Commission operates independently of government and its work is guided by the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act. As an elected official, I do not become involved in the day-to-day activities of the Commission, nor do I comment on individual cases. The Act protects people from discrimination in a number of areas including publications and notices, employment, services and tenancy. Within these areas, Albertans are protected on grounds such as race, colour, ancestry, disability, gender and religious belief. The Act includes a variety of appeal provisions to ensure that the best decision is made in each case.

Government recognizes the importance of reviewing all legislation from time to time to ensure that it is meeting its intended purpose. We will be taking your views into account as we examine Alberta's human rights policies and legislative framework to ensure it supports all Albertans.

Thank you again for writing and sharing your ideas.
Sincerely,


Lindsay Blackett

Minister of Culture and Community Spirit

MLA, Calgary-North West


cc: Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier

So, why send a government lawyer to help convict Pastor Boission? It's interesting because it was copied to the Premier. Showing that the Premier wanted a response. What is also interesting is that it mentions reviewing the legislation. That would be a start, and inviting me to help them would be even better. HA! Oh, why not, I'm a concerned born and bred Albertan!

All in all, I am semi-happy with the response, for now. If nothing gets done, if I do not hear about a review, I will email again, and again, and again. What I think Albertans can do is just what I did, email the Premier, he is obviously interested in what we have to say, and I like that. He's no Ralph Klein, but maybe that's a good thing, he appears to be listening, so talk to him. Send him an email. I was shaking when I sent mine, I thought it was too harsh, but it obviously served it's purpose.

Next time I don't want an obviously "scripted" response like I got, (hey, I'm not dumb) next time, I'm thinking about a meeting with Minister Blackett.

If each of my Alberta readers would send one email, just one, this issue might gain some steam. I know Conservatives are loath to cause a ruckus, but it's about Alberta "strong and free". It matters.