Moe Kenney, Moe problems
There they were standing together in the photo in a tweet sent out by the Alberta Premier on Oct. 26.
Jason Kenney and Scott Moe shaking hands at a dual podium each adorned with their respective flags proclaiming “Standing together for Canadian Energy.”
“Congratulations to my good friend @PremierScottMoe & the @SaskParty on a big re-election win tonight. Saskatchewan and Alberta stand strongly together in defending the economic interests of our resource industries, and Western Canada,” wrote Kenney or perhaps one of his many well-compensated assistants.
Kenney then mentioned the anniversary of the National Energy Policy in another tweet on Oct. 28 and referred to the history of how it hurt Alberta.
“As Pierre Trudeau’s National Energy Program turns 40, Albertans are reminded of the devastating consequences of this illadvised policy. As history has taught us, hurting Alberta’s energy undermines national unity & the economic future of all Canadians.”
Fanning the flames of resentment and Alberta separatism one tweet at a time.
Yes, in the true political spirits of Peter Lougheed and Alan Blakeney, Kenney and Moe, fighting the dastardly energy policy... errr... the global markets. Or, maybe they’re together because Canada has it in for Western Canada and the lack of petroleum production is Justin’s fault. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree you know.
Unlike the heydays of Prince Peter and Blakeney fighting P.E.T., there are major differences of the late 70s to 2020. The global markets are totally different. In the 70s and 80s, petroleum was king with no alternatives on the horizon, and there was a specific policy the two provincial leaders could hang their hats on. Today, it is more like the spurned friend being ghosted.
The other difference is that Blakeney and Lougheed were two of the most popular premiers within their provinces in Canada.
Moe just won a decisive majority, winning 48 of 61 seats with 61.5 per cent of the vote. Four consecutive victories for the Sask. Party. While Moe has had some issues generally, he does enough to keep the general peace and his handling of the pandemic, while imperfect, has not caused general unrest.
Meanwhile in Alberta.. no one knows where to start. When it comes to controversy, it seems, the U.S. has Donald Trump, and Alberta has the United Conservative Party. U.S. talk-show hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Maher, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers etc., have endless streams of material — but no such luck in Canada. Oh, Ric Mercer, where have you gone? There seems to be no shortage of controversy. It started with the Kenney leadership scandal followed by endless fights with those in education and public sector unions, the handing over of billions to the energy sector with little to no results, his staff’s bullying and intimidation on social media, and of course the time bomb that is health care. This has already led to wildcat walkout and more than a few whispers of an eventual general strike as health care looks to be more and more privatized.
The United Conservative party have also inspired some cutsie hashtags like #fireKenney; #RecallKenney; #firetheUCP;
#UCorruptParty; #PurgeTheUCPScourge.
Not only are they not doing anything to calm people down, one gets the impression they want more upheaval so people will just be happy with any kind of relief.
Residents beyond the most diehard supporters are on the emotional edge all the time in fear of their jobs or if not toeing the government line, just wanting to leave the province altogether.
Lots of “what is going on in Alberta” comments are heard.
One wonders what Moe thinks of his energy comrade in arms. Does he like the idea of privatizing health care? Less government? Easing COVID restrictions etc., like Kenney?
Moe should remember a few things. Where was Medicare initiated? What happened when uber popular premier Brad Wall tried to drastically reduce the number of municipalities in the province? Does Moe conduct himself like Kenney... i.e. does Moe have a conscience?
All legitimate questions and one wonders if Moe will keep a friendly distance.
The next while will show Saskatchewan who they have elected and whether Kenney is beginning to run out of premier friends. Doug Ford anyone?
Ryan Dahlman is the managing editor of Prairie Post East and Prairie Post West