Trudeaumania

Wednesday April 17, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 17, 2019

What Jason Kenney’s UCP victory in Alberta could mean for the rest of Canada

After a bitter four-week campaign fraught with controversies and personal attacks, Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party has unseated Rachel Notley and the NDP in Alberta’s provincial election.

October 6, 2018

The UCP win marks a return to centre-right politics for Alberta after Notley disrupted 44 years of Progressive Conservative rule with her win in 2015. It also marks the first time a government has failed to win a renewed mandate in the province on its first try.

Holding on to 24 seats, Alberta’s NDP have been relegated to opposition status while the UCP will enjoy a majority rule after winning 63 seats on Tuesday night.

Much of the campaign focused on Alberta’s struggling economy, employment, and building pipelines after global oil prices crashed in 2015 and thrust the province into a recession.

Standing before cheering supporters after his victory on Tuesday night, Kenney announced the province was now “open for business” and vowed to stand up for Albertans.

As the premier-designate prepares to “fight back” against the federal government, here’s what the election results could mean for the rest of the country.

Kenney’s win in Alberta is expected to be a major headache for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the former federal cabinet member repeatedly vowed during the campaign to challenge the federal Liberals on everything from the provincial carbon tax to how Ottawa distributes funds to the provinces for government services.

David Stewart, a political sciences professor at the University of Calgary, said Kenney has made it clear that he plans to have a confrontational relationship with the federal government.

“I think they [Trudeau government] should be prepared for the end of the carbon tax, the end of any kind of cooperation on climate change with the province of Alberta, and from having any kind of ally in this part of the country,” Stewart told CTV News Channel after the election results came in.

Kenney has already promised to push for a cut in federal income taxes on Albertans as well as changes to Employment Insurance to better assist those who lost their jobs during the energy recession.

The former federal cabinet minister under Prime Minister Stephen Harper has also taken aim at how federal money is redistributed to provinces. He has also threatened to hold a referendum in 2021 to remove equalization, a program that forces “have” provinces to give money to Ottawa to distribute to “have not” provinces.

Even Notley’s working relationship with Trudeau came under fire during the lead-up to the election, with Kenney accusing them of a “Trudeau-Notley alliance” that put Ottawa’s interests ahead of the province. (Source: CTV News)

Jason Kenney Before he became premier gallery

July 16, 2009
July 16, 2009
July 11, 2012
July 11, 2012
May 15, 2013
May 15, 2013
2015-06-12
2015-06-12
October 16, 2015
October 16, 2015
May 31, 2016
May 31, 2016
October 6, 2018
October 6, 2018

 

Wednesday August 12, 2015

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday August 12, 2015 Justin Trudeau and the pregnant candidate: Too hands-on? Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is known for his family name, his youth and his well-coiffed hair, but he may have cemented his reputation Monday as a touchy-feely politician when he touched the pregnant belly of one of his candidates at a Montreal campaign event. The mom-to-be in this case, Liberal candidate Christine Poirier, said she had no problem with TrudeauÕs friendly gesture, one that occurs several times a day with strangers as she canvasses her Montreal riding for votes. ÒIt was a perfectly natural, normal gesture and I really donÕt mind having my belly touched,Ó she said. The news that Poirier will be delivering her second child just seven weeks ahead of the Oct. 19 election day is something that no candidate can prepare for. But the 35-year-old has learned there can be a strategic advantage in her growing belly. ÒIt doesnÕt make me any more approachable. But it certainly makes a nice subject of conversation and it allows me to introduce the party policies on child benefits and makes me talk about it and makes me sound more genuine,Ó she said. The entrepreneur and breastfeeding advocate, who co-founded a clothing line for new mothers, is running against Bloc QuŽbŽcois Leader Gilles Duceppe in the riding of LaurierÑSainte-Marie, currently held by the NDPÕs HŽlne Laverdire. While the competition is tough, itÕs nothing compared to the personal circumstances the Liberal candidate is managing with a campaign team that handles phone calls and posting signs as well as child-care duties when the need arises. ÒOne of the volunteering opportunities that I give to my volunteers is to babysit my 8-year-old daughter,Ó she said. ÒSo during the campaign, my mom is going to be my main volunteer, following me around everywhere (with the newborn) and helping me out.Ó (Source: Toronto Star) http://www.thestar.com/news/canad

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 12, 2015

Justin Trudeau and the pregnant candidate: Too hands-on?

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is known for his family name, his youth and his well-coiffed hair, but he may have cemented his reputation Monday as a touchy-feely politician when he touched the pregnant belly of one of his candidates at a Montreal campaign event.

The mom-to-be in this case, Liberal candidate Christine Poirier, said she had no problem with Trudeau’s friendly gesture, one that occurs several times a day with strangers as she canvasses her Montreal riding for votes.

Justin Trudeau places his hand on pregnant candidate Christine Poirier's belly as he arrives at a Liberal campaign event in Montreal on Monday. RYAN REMIORZ / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Justin Trudeau places his hand on pregnant candidate Christine Poirier’s belly as he arrives at a Liberal campaign event in Montreal on Monday. RYAN REMIORZ / THE CANADIAN PRESS

“It was a perfectly natural, normal gesture and I really don’t mind having my belly touched,” she said.

The news that Poirier will be delivering her second child just seven weeks ahead of the Oct. 19 election day is something that no candidate can prepare for. But the 35-year-old has learned there can be a strategic advantage in her growing belly.

“It doesn’t make me any more approachable. But it certainly makes a nice subject of conversation and it allows me to introduce the party policies on child benefits and makes me talk about it and makes me sound more genuine,” she said.

The entrepreneur and breastfeeding advocate, who co-founded a clothing line for new mothers, is running against Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe in the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie, currently held by the NDP’s Hélène Laverdière.

While the competition is tough, it’s nothing compared to the personal circumstances the Liberal candidate is managing with a campaign team that handles phone calls and posting signs as well as child-care duties when the need arises.

“One of the volunteering opportunities that I give to my volunteers is to babysit my 8-year-old daughter,” she said. “So during the campaign, my mom is going to be my main volunteer, following me around everywhere (with the newborn) and helping me out.” (Source: Toronto Star)

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