The summer has been sizzling with something, and not just barbecuing. The summer of 2011 has been filled with not only sunny skies, heavy downpours and mosquitoes but also lots of political debate. Several stories in this week’s Journal reflect the different angles of politicians out touring the province trying to drum up the support they need to lead the province.
In the one corner are six Progressive Conservative (PC) candidates, who vary significantly on policy but are united on staying true to the PC party. Candidates discussed ways of dealing with crime, the Land Stewardship Act and Bill 50 this week. At the forum in Fort McMurray, broadcast over the Internet, candidates remained on friendly terms despite stark differences on several subjects.
Rick Orman has gone against the grain by calling for a repeal of the Land Stewardship Act, former Bill 36, which many have come to say threatens property rights. Orman had strong words for his PC colleagues. “It was like milk. It just soured and there was no way you’re going to make it right again,” he said of Bill 36 to the Journal. Orman claims MLAs have been bullied in government and that the party has been “hijacked,” sounding not unlike Bonnyville Mayor Ernie Isley, a former PC cabinet minister. However, Orman believes the party can be changed from within. As the only candidate not in government when the law was passed, perhaps it’s fitting he has taken a confrontational stance.
While PC candidates Alison Redford and Gary Mar have called for a review and changes to Bill 36, the bill they passed as government ministers, Orman is alone in calling for a repeal and to start again from scratch among the PC leadership candidates. But he is not alone in calling for a repeal.
Wildrose leader Danielle Smith has called for a repeal of Bill 36 for a long time, as well as Bills 19 and 50. Smith has punched well above her weight on the controversial land use laws. With only four MLAs in the legislature, the Wildrose has earned headlines with policy announcements and the recent leader’s tour. Smith toured the Lakeland last week meeting with locals in a variety of locations, whether outside Tammy’s Country Store in Mallaig, the Co-op Mall, Elk Point Seniors Rec Centre or the Myrnam Seniors Centre. Smith and her campaign workers can sure pack a lot of stops into a tour.
Wildrose promises to change the way government operates by bringing an end to the 40-years of PC government. For the first time, the PCs will face a well organized opposition and there will be no safe seat in the province, according to Smith. But whether Albertans want the change the Wildrose offers or to fix the party they’ve supported for four decades will only be known come election time.
