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The annual general meeting pages on the Wildrose website include an invitation to an opportunity to take part in a conversation with Brian Jean in an “interactive event” at which the leader “will be the first step in putting Alberta back on the right track.”
“Brian will talk about bringing conservatives together to regain control over Alberta’s economic and political direction,” the blurb says. This is interesting, since it shows the effort to unite the two conservative parties under the green Wildrose banner is now official, although how well this will go over with every member of what’s left of the PC caucus remains to be seen.
Regardless, this opportunity to converse interactively with Jean will cost participants only $150 each, or $1,250 for a table. A table with an MLA at it, and presumably one less seat as a result, will cost only $1,750.
I mention this, of course, because only one week ago the Wildrose Party put out a news release that demanded Alberta’s Ethics Commissioner “investigate an NDP event that sells exclusive access to Cabinet.”
“The event asks for $250 to ‘join Premier Rachel Notley, Cabinet, and MLAs for the evening to discuss issues facing the province that are important,'” an outraged Jean complained in the party’s press release. “If you run a business, or are just an ordinary Albertan, this invitation sends the message the only way to get a meeting with a member of cabinet under an NDP government is to fill up NDP party coffers.”
The Wildrose Party will no doubt claim their fund-raising event is different, but other than offering access to a shadow cabinet and costing 100 bucks less, I’m afraid I don’t see it. Well, maybe you’re not allowed to talk.
Sounds to me like it’s that same old conservative Who Me? syndrome that assumes the rules are for everyone else.
This post also appears on David Climenhaga’s blog, AlbertaPolitics.ca.
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