Alberta Leadership Race

[Black Dog]

If your sick of the polarization of Canadian politics, maybe it's time we ask Ottawa to give us a little more fair representation. Compared to Quebec, we have no power (the West in general), and that's a big issue.

Fine. And that's an issue that should be addressed in a constructive manner, not through threats and whining.

Depends on his definition of pollution. If it's pollution as in the toxic cloud that hangs over Southern Ontario and causes cancer and asthma, sure. If it's pollution and smog from Quebec smelting, then sure. If it's pollution of groundwater and soil from mining in the maritimes, sure.

But if Alberta was included?

But I have a funny feeling in the typical Liberal fashion that they will target their taxation of industry in Alberta's direction. They've followed the 'screw the west, we'll take the rest' Trudeauism since the 60's, hence their non-election in Calgary since then. It doesn't make much sense to tax Ontario and Quebec when Alberta is just rolling in money and they'll never vote for you anyways.

I see the danger, you'd be blind not to.

The danger has been around for the 30 years I've been alive. I'm getting a little tired of hearing "Wolf! Wolf!" Let's deal with the issue as it comes, rather than jumping around and pulling our hair out everytime a Quebecois politician mentions us.

[geoffrey]

If your sick of the polarization of Canadian politics, maybe it's time we ask Ottawa to give us a little more fair representation. Compared to Quebec, we have no power (the West in general), and that's a big issue.

Fine. And that's an issue that should be addressed in a constructive manner, not through threats and whining.

I disagree. No one listens when it's constructive as it has been for the last 100 years. Quebec gets their way through threats and whining, it's time we learn from them. Quebec should be our model on relations with Ottawa.

Depends on his definition of pollution. If it's pollution as in the toxic cloud that hangs over Southern Ontario and causes cancer and asthma, sure. If it's pollution and smog from Quebec smelting, then sure. If it's pollution of groundwater and soil from mining in the maritimes, sure.

But if Alberta was included?

There isn't much pollution... there is considerable amounts of GHG, but only to fuel the rest of the country. Our power industry is the leading wind authority in the world, so really, people can't complain too much. We're at our absolute maximum capacity of wind power, we've done our share.

Now it's time for the rest of Canada to use more alternative systems of energy to reduce the demand on our oilsands and the pollution caused, right?

This is a use problem in western society, Alberta can't be blamed for pulling it out of the ground, it's coming from somewhere no matter what if we want to sustain our standard of living.

Any pollution, like from sour gas flaring, should be highly penalised.

The danger has been around for the 30 years I've been alive. I'm getting a little tired of hearing "Wolf! Wolf!" Let's deal with the issue as it comes, rather than jumping around and pulling our hair out everytime a Quebecois politician mentions us.

We need to be protected from it though. We don't have the voice in Ottawa and now leading our province to fight back. Quebec loves taking Alberta money, it's like a little sick passion they've got. Quebec politicans chasing down Alberta sends up their support in Quebec greatly. Very dangerous.

[Black Dog]

I disagree. No one listens when it's constructive as it has been for the last 100 years. Quebec gets their way through threats and whining, it's time we learn from them. Quebec should be our model on relations with Ottawa.

And I disagree that Alberta has ever attempted to build a constructive relationship with Ottawa and the RoC. If Alberta did get a square deal, Alberta politicians would have nothing to frighten the masses with. So they'd be throwing away the only advantage and only winning issue they've got.

There isn't much pollution... there is considerable amounts of GHG, but only to fuel the rest of the country. Our power industry is the leading wind authority in the world, so really, people can't complain too much. We're at our absolute maximum capacity of wind power, we've done our share.

Now it's time for the rest of Canada to use more alternative systems of energy to reduce the demand on our oilsands and the pollution caused, right?

This is a use problem in western society, Alberta can't be blamed for pulling it out of the ground, it's coming from somewhere no matter what if we want to sustain our standard of living.

Any pollution, like from sour gas flaring, should be highly penalised.

I'd absolutely support a national strategy to reduce fossil fuel consumption. I can't see Alberta killing their golden goose, though. Maybe its time Alberta diversified its economy.

We need to be protected from it though. We don't have the voice in Ottawa and now leading our province to fight back. Quebec loves taking Alberta money, it's like a little sick passion they've got. Quebec politicans chasing down Alberta sends up their support in Quebec greatly. Very dangerous.

Protected from what, though? Look, I'm all for protecting Alberta's interests and ensuring we get a square deal, I'd just rather wait until there's an actual move by Ottawa before getting all riled up.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Perhaps, but on the other hand why wait for the hammer to fall before moving your thumb out of the way. Is that brave or stupid political behavior?

Honest Ed is just figuring out that he is the boss, but by Christmas he will have figured out that Albertans are not simply head strong but they outright reject any attempt by the feds to mess with our economy. My dollar goes with Ed playing the Ottawa card before the election writ is dropped.

[Black Dog]

Perhaps, but on the other hand why wait for the hammer to fall before moving your thumb out of the way. Is that brave or stupid political behavior?

It's the constant talk of the hammer, the constant reminders of that one time we hit our thumb with the hammer and the continued reliance on the threat of the next hammer that has gotten really old.

My dollar goes with Ed playing the Ottawa card before the election writ is dropped.

And in other news, the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.