Courting Votes in Alberta

 I wrote this satire early in the last provincial election and it still  has meaning for me today.   Jason Kenney's announcement eventually got a lot of traction, but at the time it was only covered by one reporter working for the CBC.   I picked it up on the same day CBC ran the story, even before Rachel Notley commented that  this policy would only enrich lawyers.  Ms. Notley's comments obviously got more coverage than my blog post, but because I came up with this on my own I'll let it stand.

Although the oil and gas industry seem to support this policy, I believe its intent is so adversarial and belligerent that it's dangerous.  This announcement declared environmentalists as the enemy, and by using government funds to silence them Kenney made environmentalists an enemy of the state.  This effectively  cuts off debate and opposition to oil and gas industry interests.  Of course I ask, "Who will be silenced next?"  

The couple that came to visit me in this satire is fictional, obviously, but their resemblance to missionaries that often visit Alberta households is intentional.  This is not a shot at any one faith, but at the 'religious right' conservatives whose nostalgia and fear of change was effectively harnessed by the UCP to win the election.

The analogy of lawyers starving on the street corners was intentional too.  There wasn't enough discussion during that election about the homeless and the impoverished, and too much discussion about how Albertans could maintain a lifestyle for the fortunate middle class.    There is enough wealth and empathy in this province to eliminate poverty, but it wasn't even on the radar for the UCP and their supporters.  

Courting Votes in Alberta

At the ‘Energy Re-launch’ conference in Calgary last Thursday, Jason Kenney of the United Conservative Party stated that he would set up a ‘legal action fund’ to target opponents of energy development.  This would allow the energy sector and support groups to take their opponents to court on the taxpayer’s dime.    In his words: “If I’m premier we’ll be writing cheques to allow them to go to court.  We’ll be supporting pro-development litigation.”     

I had just settled at my computer this morning to figure out what this means for Canadians, when a smartly dressed middle aged couple rang my doorbell.    

They told me that they wanted to clarify Kenney’s speech.  

“Perfect timing,” I exclaimed.   “I was just reading about that on the CBC.”

I skipped the small talk and went straight to the point. “I’m thinking that it's an attack on freedom of speech.  It will limit debate and suppress criticism of government policy and corporate actions,” I said as they sat together on the sofa.  “It seems authoritarian and undemocratic to me.”  

“It seems like that on its face, but really it’s much deeper than that,” she answered with a motherly smile, and reached over to hold her husband’s hand. 

   “You mean Jason Kenney won’t use tax money to sue critics?” I asked.

   “Oh, that might happen every now and then, but only those critics spreading lies and fake news though.”

I was intrigued now, “What would be lies or fake news then?”

Seeming a little annoyed with my question, he blurted, “Don’t you read the news?  It’s full of fake news about global warming and exaggerated scare stories about fossil fuel pollution.” 

She interrupted him gently to explain his outburst to me, “We can’t have people spreading those kinds of stories." 

 “Is the UCP doing this to ingrate themselves to the energy companies to get elected?” I asked.

“Mr Kenney would not do something like that.” 

“But having said that,”  he continued as he held out his palms, “those  companies are having a devil of a time providing value for their shareholders; what with the low oil prices, crappy pipelines, nit-picky environmental rules, rotten press, and expensive political donations.  It’s about time the government offered to help them out with their legal bills to fend off frivolous lawsuits.  It’s good that they can finally fight back a little without having to spend their own money.”

“Is that what Jason Kenney meant when he stated there would be consequences for other Canadian jurisdictions that oppose Alberta’s oil and gas?”

 “Maybe,” she said as she nodded thoughtfully.  “Alberta, or maybe an oil company using Alberta’s money, could sue a Native Band in British Columbia, or the mayor of Montreal, for opposing our energy sector and, regretfully, it might even happen.  But I am sure Mr. Kenny was only referring to companies and organizations that spread lies and fake news.”

“What about journalists and bloggers?” I asked.

“Well,” she responded, “They should not spread lies and falsehoods.”

“But what about debate?” I protested.

“But is there really debate?  If someone argues with accepted facts it means they are liars or simply protecting their own interests,” she answered.

“Listen up,” he exclaimed. “Jason Kenney, the United Conservative Party, and the energy companies know the difference between fake news and truth.  If they say it’s true, then it’s true.   When they form the government of Alberta, and the awesome might of that Government of Alberta comes after you for spreading fake news, then I’m guessing you would be in court."  He looked at her to plead, “Bannon is on cable soon; please let’s finish up.”

“Right,” she nodded, and looking back at me she said, “None of this is important.  The real importance of Mr. Kenney’s speech is the impact on the homeless in our communities.”

 “Please go on.” I said.

“His speech shows his caring for the people of Alberta.  Mr. Kenney, in one single sentence, has created years of employment for hundreds of lawyers that might otherwise have been unemployed or homeless.”  Tears were welling up in her eyes.  “Think about it.  He created incredible opportunities for unemployed lawyers in government service and found a way to match those opportunities with funds from citizens -- a true partnership between our government and its citizens.”

“Just imagine what coulda’ been --cities full of unemployed lawyers pleading on the street corners for some foolscap paper,” he added.

 “I know it’s important for people like you to see some social significance to these promises.  We ask only that you write about Mr. Kenney’s caring statements about the homeless lawyers on our streets.”

 “It’s probably best to report this straight like we told it.  You never know; those laws may become retroactive,” he said, and he winked and adjusted his Stetson on his way out.