A National Post reporter – one I like – just sent me a Facebook message to ask me if I am “working for the PCs.” I presume she means the Alberta PCs.

I messaged back: “You’re kidding, right?”

But then I thought about it. She’s a good egg, and she deserves a straight answer. So I decided to give it here, right out in the open.

“My family came to Alberta in 1975. We came from Montreal, where the political climate had made it impossible for my Dad – a doctor and a medical researcher – to work. We didn’t know what to expect.

What we got – we, Liberal ex-pat Montrealers – was a home. Alberta, we discovered, was diverse and progressive and welcoming. We didn’t ever vote Progressive Conservative, but we had to acknowledge that the PC-led Alberta was a far better place to live than Montreal had been.

My Dad’s research was generously funded by the government. My brothers and I got great publicly-funded educations.

The first political party I joined – wearing a black bikers jacket – was the Alberta Liberals. I opposed the PCs as a political choice. I never voted for them, not once. But I never regarded them as extremists or evil, either. Instead, they were the people who created the things that attracted us to Alberta in the first place. If we were honest about it, we had to admit that much.

I grew up in, and was educated in, Alberta. I love Alberta, and would have relocated there in a minute. And I’d be there, right now, if they hadn’t insisted l do the bar admission course over again to practice law.

I don’t know Alison Redford or anyone in her cabinet or caucus. I have never voted for their party, or taken a nickel from them, or worked for them in any way.

But I do know this: if Wildrose wins, all of the things that persuaded us to move to Alberta, and make it our home, will be gone. They’re going to wreck the place, and that’s no exaggeration. The homophobia and the racism are just the tip of the iceberg.

I also know this, and I say it with no enthusiasm: in this election, a vote for the Liberals or the NDs is a vote for Wildrose. The only party that can stop them is the PCs.

So, if I were there right now, I’d be working my ass off for the Alberta PCs. Never thought I’d see the day, but that day has surely arrived.

There you go. There’s your answer.”

Comments (29)

“As a Caucasian,” the Wildrose candidate suggests, he’s a better representative than, you know, one of those brown people.

No wonder Danielle Smith is ducking the media today.

One of the biggest freefalls I’ve seen since, well, Tea Party Tim Hudak’s in October. It’s amazing.

UPDATE: Far from denouncing her candidate’s comments, Danielle Smith has defended them. Straight from Sun Media: “Smith defended the comments and said she’s not concerned and each candidate puts forward their best argument for why they should be the person to represent the community.“

Comments (21)

Keep. Those cards and letters comin’, Wildrose faithful! This one from tpmaron@gmail.com:

“Wow warren, that’s quite the article in the sun today. Maybe should open your pants and check for a vagina, cause you sure know how to blow things out of proportion.”

And this gem, from “Gunter W” at safari4711@live.ca:

“Kinsella : Tested ,Tried ,unfit to report!                                        You are not a reporter ,but an opinion molder, no wonder newspaper
readers are disappearing ,like snow in the sun .If the people of Alberta vote for the Wildrose party ,I would call
this Democracy in action ,but you rather would like to see DEMONCRACY  Warren Kinsella style in typical ,hateful
action ,have a cigar ,hotdog .beer ,pancakes and some other stupid bribes . Those times are over ,people don’t
trust agitators and crooks any more ,reporters ,like banksters will come to their demise . Find yourself another
job , how about snakeoil seller ?” 

Comments (7)

OMG this so awesome!

Comments (5)

From a plugged-in contact in Alberta. Very, very interesting.

Warren: Danielle Smith cancelled her media availability for CBC radio today, Global tomorrow and CTV Friday. Cancelled her meeting with the Herald editorial board … and had Vitor appear in her place on Rutherford this morning. Someone is cracking under pressure.

Comments (11)

“As a third generation Albertan and a born again Christian, I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that there is a potential government coming that will heed the Word of God. Ontario and Quebec, both ultra-liberal provinces, love to hate God and His Word and His law. The Wildrose party will seemingly follow in the footsteps of a previous government, that of William Aberhart and Earnest Manning, both of which were godly born again believers and preachers for the Lord. God has blessed Alberta… hmmm, I wonder why?!?

The best thing for Alberta would be to separate, especially from the ungodly and humanistic-driven provinces of Ontario and Quebec. You represent your province well. And you should keep your wicked opinions to yourself instead of spreading your malice and guile! The biggest problem we have in Alberta is Ontarions that come here and bring there liberal and ungodly beliefs with them!

Oh, and concerning your comments about gays burning in the eternal lake of fire…yes, Mr. Hunsperger, is certainly right, they will burn forever in a lake of fire. And so will all others that refuse to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and obey God’s authority!

As I was commenting on your article, a article headline caught my eye: “Bunny Ranch brothel owner wants to set up shop in Toronto”. The adamant positive approval of this by the author and probably majority of Ontarions; now THAT would be a side-effect of an ungodly and liberal government.”

Comments (29)

The things that the Charter, and the Constitution, were designed to prevent are still a threat.  And that is why today is a day to remember, and be vigilant, and celebrate this great achievement.

(And, while we’re on the subject, let me say: my God, I miss this man.)

Comments (5)

How important is the last week in a campaign?

Really, really important. Important enough to make the difference — in Alberta, and anywhere else.

Lots of Canadians are now watching the dramatic Alberta contest, now entering the home stretch. Non-Albertans can’t vote in the election, but they, too, have a stake in the outcome. That’s because the far-right Wildrose Alliance has been leading in the polls, and has an excellent shot at forming the government.

If they do so, Wildrose will be the most socially conservative government Canada has seen since the days of Social Credit in Alberta and the Union Nationale in Quebec. A Wildrose government will shatter decades of social and economic peace like the Socreds did. Canada doesn’t need that.

Over the weekend, the ugly face of Wildrose — an ugliness leader Danielle Smith has frantically attempted to hide from voters — revealed itself. Edmonton Southwest Wild-rose candidate Allan Hunsperger wrote on his website that public education is “Godless.” He also wrote that gays and lesbians are going to burn in Hell.

Said Hunsperger: “(If gays don’t change their ways, they) will suffer the rest of eternity in the lake of fire, Hell, a place of eternal suffering.”

Comments (22)

We liberals knew that already, but here’s proof.  Kiss our asses, cons.

Comments (23)

Aaron Wherry does journalism in a simple, and therefore highly-effective way: he simply lets subjects speak for themselves.

Subjects accordingly damn themselves.

Comments (7)