Politics in Canada

How much of the UCP's radical project to transform Alberta into a dystopic firewalled statelet was predicated on a Conservative victory in last month's federal election?

Albertans aren't all for a private member's bill which would restrict reproductive rights. But don't count on the common sense or common decency of the UCP caucus to ensure the right thing gets done.

Good rarely results from Manning's interventions in politics, so don't expect positive results from his appointment by Jason Kenney to new "Fair Deal Panel."

The private member's bill purports merely to support constitutional rights, but its purpose is clearly to wedge open the door for more restrictions on reproductive rights.

The inherent unfairness of Canada's first-past-the-post electoral system has been displayed many times in previous federal elections, but never so blatantly as in the recent voting farce.

This ploy is a well-understood part of the anti-choice playbook, so it seems likely the bill is an attempt to find a way to limit access to abortion services and contraception.

If he truly advocates for Albertans, Kenney will embrace the future by joining with Ottawa to manage a rapid phase-out of the tar sands in ways that support oil workers and their communities.

Albertans should not be piling all the liability for their current malaise on the federal government and environmentalists. Their own political leaders should at least shoulder some of the blame.