On the politicization of the Alberta oilsands (paying attention, Jack?)...
"The stupidest thing you can do (is) to run against an industry that is providing employment for hundreds of thousands of Canadians, and not just in Alberta, but right across the country,"
On the clout that the Alberta oilsands give Canada with our Southern neighbours...
"We provide more oil to the United States than Saudi Arabia. That changes everything... It means that when the prime minister of Canada goes into the White House, he gets listened to, in ways that Canadian prime ministers have not been listened to before... We're not the nice little friendly northern cousin. They can't run their economy without us."
On playing regional politics with the economy:
"Alberta is a valued treasured part of our federation... Never pit one region of the country against the other when you develop economic policy."
The words of the Premier of Alberta? An Albertan MP? Our Prime Minister, who happens to hail from this neck of the woods? Embarrassing, out-of-context quotes from a current opposition energy critic in a speech from 15 years ago?
No. The words of Michael Ignatieff, speaking to an audience of business graduate students in Montreal this week.
That sound you're hearing? Thousands of socially moderate, centrist Albertans starting to wonder if, maybe, for the first time since the federal PC Party closed up shop, they're found a federal leader they can get behind, who will stand up for Alberta not just when they're passing through the 403 or 780, but also in front of audiences in Quebec and Ontario...
Be afraid, Stephen.
(h/t to CalgaryGrit)
... an attempt to make sense of politics and political happenings in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and North America.
4 comments:
Interesting. I wonder if Ignatieff would bring in Stelmach on the discussions with Obama, like Harper is not doing.
I was a little surprised as well hearing those words coming from a Liberal.
I agree with you too.... Harper better be a little careful come the next election especially seeing how they just assumed they'd sweep Alberta in the last election
Oh yeah, I heard of these words coming out of the mouth of Mr. Ignatieff.
But, with the promises that we've heard from politicians of all stripes, they should be considered with a cynicism and suspicion.
I don't trust the Liberals. They will remain tax and spend and I don't want to continually add to and download the Federal mortgage on my kids and future grandkids. They will continue to pander to central Canada.
Yes, be aware Stephen. Be afraid Alberta. Be petrified Canada.
Why be afraid? I don't think one untested, elite leader ( or is this the second in a row?) of the Liberal Party will ever breakthrough in Alberta. The Liberal brand is dead in Alberta for at least another generation.
http://www.calgaryrants.blogspot.com
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