Alberta Election May 2015

[Je suis Omar]

Accountability Now: Again....a trained monkey could have ran and won as long as it was wearing orange.

How many years did you say the PCs were in power?

[Black Dog]

You pick the best candidate of those running. When someone doesn't show up to the forum and has no experience showing that she is qualified, then she is not the best candidate.

As I said: the only qualifications are that a candidate be 18+ and a citizen. Everything else is up to the voters. What would you change?

Somehwhat...yes. She was announced late and never came to the public forum. Having said that, she could have posted on her site that she had no interest in politics and yet people would have still voted for her because they just wanted to vote for NDP as it was the anti-PC vote. Most of the signs in my area didn't even have the local candidates name on it...they just said NDP and mentioned Rachel Notley. Again....a trained monkey could have ran and won as long as it was wearing orange.

This isn't new or unique to this situation. I grew up in Alberta where a trained monkey would win if they were wearing Tory blue. The tide has turned for once.

This was an extreme event in my mind so I don't think there needs to be a solution.

So it's not an issue.

Voters that usually vote are more educated and are more interested in voting in MLA's who are properly fit for the position (which doesn't mean cagy, old businessmen). This time voter turnout was really high with young voters just looking to make their voice heard. In future elections people (young and old) will go back to assessing the candidates based on what they offer assuming there isn't as much debacle at the top.

What does it mean, then?

Again...this election is an anomoly. Any other election would not have an unqualified person beat out other qualified candidates unless there was ulterior motives such as removing the party in power.

Au contraire. It happens all the time. The best man or woman for the job doesn't always win.

My point is very clear. You just can't seem to comprehend basic logic.

I understand it, I just don't think much of it.

[bush_cheney2004]

....Will canadians have generations of deformed children from USA Agent Orange or depleted uranium?

No, since both come from Canada !

[Black Dog]

I do not think that going from a right wing majority directly to a left wing majority is a good idea - or vice versa. I personally believe in minority governments and I think Albertans might also have preferred an NDP minority.

So they voted overwhelmingly for the NDP because...they thought everyone else was voting for another party?

[Accountability Now]

How many years did you say the PCs were in power?

I never commented on the years the PC held power. Why do you ask?

[WWWTT]

You should see the TSX.

Oh you mean the same people who caused the 2008 financial meltdown from failed prospects?

Ya I'm sure Canadians give a ratt's ass about people who cause turmoil!

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

This pretty much sums up what happened!

https://twitter.com/TorontoStar/status/596278060250464256/photo/1

WWWTT

[Accountability Now]

As I said: the only qualifications are that a candidate be 18+ and a citizen. Everything else is up to the voters. What would you change?

Why are you assuming that I feel the system is broken or needs fixing. My comment is that the voters did not vote for the MLA they voted for the party. In this particular case they voted in someone who doesn't seem committed to the job.

This isn't new or unique to this situation. I grew up in Alberta where a trained monkey would win if they were wearing Tory blue. The tide has turned for once.

And it would be just as big of a disgrace then as it is now.

So it's not an issue.

It might be. The elected MLA has already shown an inability to show up for her duties and has no previous background experience to show that she is prepared for the job. Its one thing to elect a candidate thinking they are good but aren't versus electing someone that you are quite certain isn't up to the task. I could be wrong but all signs are pointing the other way.

Au contraire. It happens all the time. The best man or woman for the job doesn't always win.

Please feel free to cite the examples you are thinking of. I would be particularily interested in something of similar nature where this person or people were late entries, had no experience and missed the one public engagement they needed to be at but still got in.

I understand it, I just don't think much of it.

Its an objective point which maybe bothers you? You prefer subjectivity?

[WestCoastRunner]

Why is it a disgrace to vote for a party instead of the candidate. This has been a regular pattern with Canadian voters. Show me why this is a disgrace.

I am hopeful that the ndp govt will be able to establish a relationship with our liberals here in BC to reach some degree of civil communication that has been lacking with the previous Alberta govt.

Every politician has to start somewhere even the green ndp politicians in Alberta. Let's see what they bring to the table. The people of Alberta has spoken and I'm sure if they don't deliver, they will be tossed in the next election. This is what democracy is all about.

It's not about minority or majority govts. It's about who the people have elected regardless of their past political experience.

[Accountability Now]

Why is it a disgrace to vote for a party instead of the candidate. This has been a regular pattern with Canadian voters. Show me why this is a disgrace.

Its a disgrace to elect someone that isn't qualified to be an MLA. I have often voted for the party but full well knowing that the person I am voting for (MLA or MP) has some basic qualifications to make it work.

I guess what I'm hearing is that MLA's really aren't important. Its just the Premier and a select few cabinet members? If this true then maybe we need to revamp the system. It certainly would save the province a ton on pensions...as shown by the departing PC MLA's!

[WestCoastRunner]

Its a disgrace to elect someone that isn't qualified to be an MLA. I have often voted for the party but full well knowing that the person I am voting for (MLA or MP) has some basic qualifications to make it work.

I guess what I'm hearing is that MLA's really aren't important. Its just the Premier and a select few cabinet members? If this true then maybe we need to revamp the system. It certainly would save the province a ton on pensions...as shown by the departing PC MLA's!

What you are saying is that the elected members have no qualifications when in fact new members bring a refreshing perspective to a party's policy that they believe in. It can't get any better than that! Let's hope they stick to the reasons they chose politics regardless of their inexperience. And let's hope they don't get discouraged from rants of 'their inexperience'.

[Accountability Now]

What you are saying is that the elected members have no qualifications when in fact new members bring a refreshing perspective to a party's policy that they believe in. It can't get any better than that! Let's hope they stick to the reasons they chose politics regardless of their inexperience. And let's hope they don't get discouraged from rants of 'their inexperience'.

I am talking about one or two examples specifically where the person is shown to be inexperienced and not overly interested in the position. I am not talking about all new MLAs

Edited May 7, 2015 by Accountability Now

[WestCoastRunner]

I am talking about one or two examples specifically where the person is shown to be inexperienced and not overly interested in the position. I am not talking about all new MLAs

Right. So you are not totally disagreeing with the election results.

[Accountability Now]

Right. So you are not totally disagreeing with the election results.

No. The PCs had to go

Edit...not that I agree with the NDP platform but I see why they were the only choice

Edited May 7, 2015 by Accountability Now

[Derek 2.0]

I think cooler heads will prevail and thay will learn to live with each other. That will mean atitude adjustments on both sides. Companies are going to think twice about moving their head office to Vancouver with some of the highest real estate costs on the planet and where a future NDP government is a real posibility. Energy companies enjoyed doing business in what had become pretty much a one party state with a government that did their bidding. They can't expect that anywhere else.

The cost of moving offices to another city is peanuts when compared to the losses associated with a 2% tax hike and in the case of energy related companies, the NDP's promised adjustment of royalties.......much like why many corporations left Montreal and Toronto for Calgary.

Hopefully, for Alberta, cooler heads will prevail and the new NDP Government is quick to signal this to both corporations and investors......US fund mangers are already signalling caution with investing further money into Alberta, likewise keeping existing money there.

[Je suis Omar]

What jail is Allison Redford serving her time in?

[The_Squid]

Its a disgrace to elect someone that isn't qualified to be an MLA.

She's 18 and a Canadian citizen. What other qualification is she supposed to have?

[Wilber]

The cost of moving offices to another city is peanuts when compared to the losses associated with a 2% tax hike and in the case of energy related companies, the NDP's promised adjustment of royalties.......much like why many corporations left Montreal and Toronto for Calgary.

Hopefully, for Alberta, cooler heads will prevail and the new NDP Government is quick to signal this to both corporations and investors......US fund mangers are already signalling caution with investing further money into Alberta, likewise keeping existing money there.

There is bound to be a lot of posturing, they just lost their sugar daddy but if companies can make money there, they will stay.

[Accountability Now]

She's 18 and a Canadian citizen. What other qualification is she supposed to have?

I've already answered this question. If you don't like the answer then I suggest you find a different horse to beat.

[littleguy1]

This election proved that arrogance and complacency will not be rewarded. I have voted conservative almost my entire adult life in provincial politics but I have had enough. Seeing the wealthy set wealthier, corporations growing their profits and then threatening to leave during a downturn after years if not decades of record profits is absolutely revolting. Right wing po!itics has had 44 years to have this province safe from bad times and now that it has arrived they have shown they failed. I say it is time for average Albertans and Canadians to get their taste of the profits. I hope the NDP acts responsibly but also gives our wealthiest a taste of their own greediness. Show them how it feels to wonder if you can afford your home or if that job will be there tomorrow. If they had been responsible citizens and rewarded their employees for their contributions the economy would be taking care of itself and they would still be in great shape. I wish the NDP all the luck in the world and hope conservatives like myself take a long look inward and adjust how they contribute to the community they are part of.

[PIK]

Handing the economic engine to a bunch of people with no idea how government works. Now you federal NDP people going out to show them how. That is scary.

[Smallc]

They'll probably do fine. This is a normal democratic change, and it was long overdue.

[jacee]

This election proved that arrogance and complacency will not be rewarded. I have voted conservative almost my entire adult life in provincial politics but I have had enough. Seeing the wealthy set wealthier, corporations growing their profits and then threatening to leave during a downturn after years if not decades of record profits is absolutely revolting. Right wing po!itics has had 44 years to have this province safe from bad times and now that it has arrived they have shown they failed. I say it is time for average Albertans and Canadians to get their taste of the profits. I hope the NDP acts responsibly but also gives our wealthiest a taste of their own greediness. Show them how it feels to wonder if you can afford your home or if that job will be there tomorrow. If they had been responsible citizens and rewarded their employees for their contributions the economy would be taking care of itself and they would still be in great shape. I wish the NDP all the luck in the world and hope conservatives like myself take a long look inward and adjust how they contribute to the community they are part of.

Thanks for your perspective littleguy1. Very interesting.

I am very impressed with the willingness of Albertans to risk a major change, and wish you all well.

[Wilber]

Handing the economic engine to a bunch of people with no idea how government works. Now you federal NDP people going out to show them how. That is scary.

What are you, some kind of Fascist or Communist who only believes in a one party state?

[jacee]

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/politics/alberta-election-2015-ndp-sings-for-joy-harper-s-caucus-like-morgue-1.3063472

... Tory caucus ... working through various stages of fear, denial, blame and regret.

"It was more like a morgue. Someone said it was like it's Albertastan now," said Justice Minister Peter MacKay.

Oooo ... Such a classy 'dog' that Peter MacKay!!!

:/