Moe Kenney, Moe problems

There they were standing together in the photo in a Tweet sent out by the Alberta Premier 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, many, many, well-compensated assistants.

Kenney actually mentioned the anniversary of the National Energy Policy in another tweet Oct. 28 and referring 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 ill-advised 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 together because Canada has it in for us in 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 seventies to 2020. The global markets are totally different. In the seventies and eighties, petroleum was king with no alternatives to the horizon and there was a specific policy the two leaders could really hang their hats on. Today, it is 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 and Kenney…

Moe just won a massively decisive victory winning 48 of 61 seats with 61.5 per cent of the vote. Four consecutive victories for Moe’s 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, the U.S. has Donald Trump, Alberta has the United Conservative Party. U.S. talk show hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Maher, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers etc who have endless streams of material; no such luck in Canada. Oh Ric Mercer, where have you gone? There seems to be endless controversies. It started with the Kenney leadership scandal with endless fights with those in education; unions; the handling of money to energy sector with little to no results, his handlers bullying and intimidation on social media and of course the time bomb that is health care. This has led to wildcat walk out and more than a few whispers of a massive 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; #UcCorruptParty; #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. Most residents other than the most diehard of voters are absolutely 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 but are scared. In personal relationships, it is called gaslighting.

Lots of “what is going on in Alberta” comments are heard.

One wonders what Moe thinks his energy comrade in arms. Does he like the idea of privatizing healthcare? 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 have a conscience?

All good questions and one wonders if Moe wants to tie his flag to Kenney or perhaps keep friendly with him or a respectful arms-length.

The next while will show Saskatchewan who they have elected and whether or not Kenney has too many premier friends left. Doug Ford anyone? Ryan Dahlman is the managing editor of Prairie Post East and Prairie Post West