Jansen’s defection draws mixed reaction
Constituent calls former Tory MLA’s sudden jump to NDP ‘mind blowing’
It was a shock few saw coming.
But after Thursday’s floor-crossing announcement, former PC leadership candidate Sandra Jansen is now flying the orange flag in Calgary-North West.
During a joint news conference with Premier Rachel Notley, Jansen said the discussion with her constituents and their possible concerns hadn’t yet taken place, but she plans to do just that in the very near future.
Postmedia spoke to nearly a dozen people in the area of her constituency office on Thursday evening, with opinions ranging from rage to happiness.
Rob Moen said it’s just politics playing itself out in public as usual.
“Premier Notley must be pretty happy. But, I’ve never understood going from a party you allegedly believe in to just cross the floor. I think she should have become an independent and gone through a byelection to see if the voters still want her in,” he said.
Sheri MacDonald, who was shopping with her teenage daughter just a couple of doors down from Jansen’s office, was none too pleased about the news.
“It doesn’t matter what party she is in, I didn’t vote for her. But, I respect the majority vote,” she said. “I’m completely unimpressed by her, and I don’t think she cares for the constituents, and this just proves it.”
Some constituents think of the floor-crossing as just another chapter in the chaotic book of the legislature of the last five years.
Since 2010, in no particular order, Alberta MLA’s who have crossed the floor include: Rob Anderson (twice), Heather Forsyth, Danielle Smith, Kerry Towle, Ian Donovan, Gary Bikman, Jason Hale, Bruce McAllister, Blake Pedersen, Bruce Rowe and Jeff Wilson.
One woman who didn’t want to be identified, who has lived in the riding for a number of years, made light of the situation.
“Usually you’ve got to join the Liberal Party as a step in between, don’t you,” she said.
“I don’t know what to think of it, honestly. Is it personal? Is it for more media spotlight? I don’t know what her agenda is, because truthfully, going from the PC to the NDP is mind blowing,” she added.