If you want to know where Alberta is headed, take a look at the speech Jason Kenney delivered to the United Conservative Party faithful in Calgary. Sarah Rieger reports:
Alberta is taking a gradual approach to balancing its budget while protecting programs that matter most, Premier Jason Kenney told delegates at the United Conservative Party's annual general meeting in Calgary on Saturday.
"Some of this will be controversial, some of it will invite protests, saw one today," Kenney told the hundreds of members assembled in Calgary. "But I'm reminded of what premier Ralph Klein used to say. 'If a day goes by and there's not a protest, I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong.'"
Outside the Westin Calgary Airport hotel hosting the convention, between 700 and 1,000 people marched, protesting cuts to public services and the looming loss of thousands of public sector jobs.
Klein, Alberta's late premier known for deep cuts of more than 20 per cent to public spending in the 1990s, was not just top of mind for Kenney but for protestors as well — with one sign reading "Ralph Klein, But Less Fun: UCP."
The party that wants to turn back the clock wants to return to the 1990's:
He outlined actions like repealing the province's carbon tax, appointing a red tape reduction minister and proclaiming the education act, with the audience chanting "promise made, promise kept" after every stated accomplishment.
None of this is surprising. But none of it is wise, either. And there he was -- introduced by Laureen Harper. If you thought Stephen Harper had disappeared, think again.
On Friday, Andrew Scheer addressed the faithful -- a sure sign that he still has not figured out why he lost the election.
Image: The Toronto Star
