The UCP IS a Crisis in Alberta

Wild fires and floods get people's attention. You can see them happening. And people act. But there are other threats that move along under the public radar. There's an announcement here and there, but it seems many people are not stringing them together... 

The UCP set up a War Room, ostensibly to counter foreign threats to Alberta's oil and gas sector. But what else are they doing? We see them on Twitter, shouting down criticism of the government. But what else are they doing? 

Also, let us not forget that the War Room is set up as a black box independent corporation, immune from freedom of information requests or public audit. So we can't know what they are doing with our $30M each year. 

Privacy and legal experts question war room’s FOIP exemption, raise privacy concernsCorporate laws mean the newly minted Canadian Energy Centre, which will be headquartered in Calgary, will require consent before collecting personal i...https://www.thestar.com/edmonton/2019/10/15/privacy-and-legal-experts-question-war-rooms-foip-exemption-raise-privacy-concerns.html

And whenever there is something Jason Kenney wants to remake to suit his philosophy, he creates a panel and fills it with like-minded people, folks he owes a favour to, and lets the panel know what the desired report will say. 

UCP gave 'non-partisan' MacKinnon panel chair speaking notes, op-ed advice, documents showGovernment staff had a hand in crafting a May 2019 speech and newspaper editorial for Janice MacKinnon, the chair of the Blue Ribbon Panel into Alberta’s Finances, according to internal emails.https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/ucp-gave-non-partisan-mackinnon-panel-chair-speaking-notes-op-ed-advice-documents-show-1.4790831

But, hey! A panel recommended this. After listening to the public. Even if what the public actually said is not necessarily reflected in the report. It gives Kenney the perception of arm's length rule. Cover to act on what he really wants to do without personal culpability. 

Then there's Bill 1, ostensibly created as a response to the rail-line blockades by the Wet'suwet'en, in effect they give the government the power to deem any public protest illegal and punishable by harsh penalties. 
ablawg.ca/2020/06/17/bil…

Bill 27, the Trespass Statutes (Protecting Law-Abiding Property Owners) Amendment, seems designed to kill several birds with one stone. First, it protects the agriculture industry from whistle-blowers when animals are being mistreated... 

New laws try to muzzle those who protest on behalf of animalsThe Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act hopes to stop animal advocates from exposing abuse and neglect on farms, transport trucks an...https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2019/12/04/new-laws-try-to-muzzle-those-who-protest-on-behalf-of-animals.html

It also protects those who run facilities where people are mistreated. 

Opinion: The pandemic has revealed the value of undercover work. Yet governments are making that illegalIn Alberta and Ontario, legislation has been passed that makes abject conditions in private spaces, from senior care to farms, even more difficult to exposehttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-pandemic-has-revealed-the-value-of-undercover-work-yet/

Second, it protects those who injure or kill a trespasser on their property from civil litigation. That the bill was retroactive to before the UCP were in power suggests it was designed to help one case for which Jason Kenney expressed sympathy and even donated money. 

This would be the case of Edouard Maurice, who shot a trespasser on his farm. 

UCP proposes more protections for rural property ownershttps://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/ucp-proposes-more-protections-for-rural-property-owners

If it was intended to prevent Maurice from going to court in a civil suit, it worked. 

Beyond Local: Update: Lawsuit against Maurice dismissed in courtEddie Maurice discontinued his $150,000 counterclaim against Ryan Randy Watson on Jan. 16.https://www.cochranetoday.ca/beyond-local/maurice-suit-dismissed-in-court-2026490

Quite apart from the appearance that the government interfered in a court case, the normalisation of shooting trespassers that this Bill advances is incredibly alarming. 

Also alarming is Todd Loewen's motion to consider creating a civilian corps to assist police. The UCP insists this will not be a militia, but more like Neighbourhood Watch or Crimestoppers. But Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers already exist... 

Alberta politicians voted to explore a civilian corps to ‘assist’ police. Here’s what that meansThe bill has revived the conversation around rural crime in the province.https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/06/23/alberta-politicians-vote-to-explore-the-idea-of-forming-a-civilian-corps-to-help-police.html

So what exactly will this "civilian corps" do that would be different? And how is this motion being interpreted by Albertans on the right? I rarely give oxygen to Rebel media but in this case, the comments on this subject are illuminating. 

Did Alberta just commission a militia? - Rebel NewsThe fearless source of news, opinion, and activism that you won't find anywhere else.https://www.rebelnews.com/did_alberta_just_commission_a_militia

Further to policing, the UCP introduced Bill 18, to have Alberta set up its own (redundant) Parole Board. And they are looking at cancelling the contract with the RCMP and setting up their own police force. 

Braid: The Alberta Parole Board is here. The Alberta Provincial Police may not be far behindhttps://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/braid-the-alberta-parole-board-is-here-the-alberta-provincial-police-may-not-be-far-behind

The Alberta Parole Board (no doubt filled with UCP supporters) will feed red meat to the base in the form of keeping people in prison longer while costing Albertans for a service already provided federally. 

Apart from cancelling the services of the RCMP, who are presumably continuing to investigate the Kenney leadership campaign, we should all be mindful of how his buddy, Doug Ford, tried to manipulate the OPP guidelines to hire a friend as commissioner 

Qualifications lowered for OPP commissioner job, allowing Ford family friend to apply - iPoliticsTORONTO — When the top job with the Ontario Provincial Police was posted in October, Ron Taverner couldn’t apply, because his rank was too low. Two days later, the job requirements were changed — pav…https://ipolitics.ca/2018/12/04/qualifications-lowered-for-opp-commissioner-job-allowing-ford-family-friend-to-apply/

Speaking of investigations, Jason Kenney fired the Elections Commissioner who was investigating him. How convenient is that? Who wouldn't want the power to fire anyone who launches an investigation into one's questionable activities? 
nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/c…

So, in the UCP, we seem to have a party that is solidifying it's hold on power, while rolling out a barrage of legislation that attacks health care, education, environmental protections, worker's rights and safety, the poor, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ2+ community...

It's important to remember all these pieces. One at a time, they are not as in your face. They lack the impact to cause public outcry and action. But taken together, they are every bit as much a crisis as a wildfire or a flood. Pay attention. Kenney is just getting started.