As a result of the federal Liberal government’s anti-oil and gas policies, Alberta is in the midst of an “economic crisis” (Premier Jason Kenney’s words), whereby, our friends and neighbours are losing their jobs, marriages, homes, businesses, and yes, sadly, in far too many cases, their lives. And the counsel and sage advice from the Eagle’s editorialist to our Premier in response to this bleak state of affairs is that he “play nice in the sandbox”. Seriously?
To garner voter support from Quebec, during the French-language debate, Justin Trudeau declared that he has to continue the fight against Premier Kenney and Alberta’s oil industry. Frankly, that doesn’t sound very nice.
What came out of Premier Kenney’s five “urgent priorities” in his trip to Ottawa was mockingly summarized in the title of a CBC opinion piece by journalist Graham Thomson, “Kenney goes to Ottawa seeking gold, returns with participation medal”. All Kenney got in return was a chance to look at Trudeau’s socks.
When Kenney and Trudeau sat down together in Ottawa for their photo op, Trudeau shared a lot of nice words, including “Canada does well when Albertans are doing well”. While the Eagle’s editorialist calls for “more listening and less talking”, it’s time, however, to go beyond nice words and platitudes. After his meeting with the provinces and territories of Canada, Premier Kenney declared, “It’s time for the federal government to step up and show that it’s listening.” Indeed, it’s time for tangible, meaningful action from the federal government in the face of Alberta’s economic crisis and the untold human costs.
- Ron Voss
