The Alberta election

[Gone_Fishin]

So now Drever is "suspended" from caucus for calling people "gay boyz." Not expelled, not told to step down, just go sit in the corner for a time-out until this blows over. Homophobia is tolerated within the NDP leadership. What next?

[goalie]

Meanwhile the Cons are busy shredding documents in Edmonton to hide their crimes. The media is in uproar over a back bencher. I think she should resign but it goes to show how the 'liberal' media works lol

[logicalview]

Meanwhile the Cons are busy shredding documents in Edmonton to hide their crimes. The media is in uproar over a back bencher. I think she should resign but it goes to show how the 'liberal' media works lol

What is it that you want the media to do? Not report this story about this back-bencher? They did report the shredding, and Notley put a stop to it. So....???

[maryjane48]

watching rachel talk today , she clearly comes across as well spoken , unlike our bumbling premier here in bc , who comes across as pinocchio telling lies .


The 51-year-old former labour lawyer, who led the NDP to a 54-seat majority earlier this month, was sworn in by Chief Justice Catherine Fraser on the steps of the Alberta legislature.

"This ceremony is an important milestone in life and history of our province," Fraser told the crowd.

Notley was also sworn in as the province's International and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister. The other 11 members of the cabinet, some of which are handling multiple portfolios in the slimmed-down cabinet, were also sworn in:

Joe Ceci - Finance/President of Treasury Board
Sarah Hoffman - Health/Seniors.
Kathleen Ganley - Justice/Aboriginal Affairs
David Eggen - Education/Culture and Tourism
Margaret Mccuaig-Boyd - Energy
Shannon Phillips - Environment and Parks/Minister Responsible for the Status of Women
Brian Mason - Infrastructure/Transportation
Deron Bilous - Municipal Affairs, Service Alberta
Lori Sigurdson - Innovation and Advanced Education/Jobs, Skills, Training & Labour
Rachel Notley -- Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs
Oneil Carlier - Agriculture/Forestry
Irfan Sabir - Human Services
The public was invited to take part in the event, which drew a crowd that packed the grounds of the legislature. At times during the ceremony, Notley found herself drowned out by the crowd chanting her name.

CBC is livestreaming the ceremony. CBC reporters are also tweeting as events unfold at the legislature grounds.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ ... -1.3085645

[Donald G]

Now that the election is over and the results known it is incumbent on everyone to support the new government. Some by carrying out the policies and desires of the new government and some by helping the new government find the path most desired by the people of Alberta through constructive criticism.

[Donald G]

I would say that in going from 20 Cabinet Ministers down to 12 Premier Notley is trying to demonstrate to the people of Alberta that she is taking their advice to "GET SPENDING UNDER CONTROL" to heart.

IMO it acknowledges that she knows that her party was elected primarily because the people of Alberta could no longer tolerate the stench of the complete financial irresponsibility that was taking place under the "too long in office" Progressive Conservatives.

The difference between the pay for a Cabinet Minister and a MLA is only about $40,000.00 per year, so the total savings are not great but the visible political effect will be worth its weight in gold. Especially when Premier Notley needs time to determine who would or could best fill which portfolio, since all except three are "a new kid on the block".

I fully expect that clearly demonstrating financial responsibility will be a number one priority if not THE number one priority for the duration of her Premiership.

[logicalview]

watching rachel talk today , she clearly comes across as well spoken , unlike our bumbling premier here in bc , who comes across as pinocchio telling lies .

Yes, if it was just based on who talked best, Notley would be a super-star. But it's not about being well spoken, its about following through on her mandate. It's too bad that well-spoken demeanor hasn't translated into brains yet, as she pulled a massive *bleep* with the donation request tied into her swearing in ceremony. Say what you want about BC's bumbling premier, but that donation stupidity was a pretty giant bumble, especially given the fact the NDP is trying to show that they are different than the previous corrupt government, and their first act is to engage in blatant corruption.

CBC is livestreaming the ceremony. CBC reporters are also tweeting as events unfold at the legislature grounds.

Of course the CBC is live-streaming the ceremony. I wonder how many other premier swearing-in ceremonies the CBC has live-streamed.

[George+]

Do we care how many?

Political parties ASK for donations all the time.

It may not have been good imaging but is nothing new.
Certainly not criminal.

Move on. Next topic?

[Donald G]

To George ...

Was financial honesty not at the very heart of the reason for the election, the topic during the election and the expectations now that he election is over ??

The NDP got in only because the Alberta voters could no longer hold their noses and vote for the completely financially irresponsible Progressive Conservatives.

The new Premier had best keep in mind that Alberta is still a staunch Conservative Province who voted for the Premier because she had excellent advice from somewhere and moved her position from the political far left to the political centre during the run-up to the election. It appears that not all of her party has fully accepted her new centralist position.

She is an intelligent and politically astute political leader who made the other leaders look like bobble heads during the election. But she MUST clearly demonstrate financial responsibility and honesty or she will be just another one term NDP Government in a strongly conservative province.

[Donald G]

To lakevixen ...

Only a staunch NDP supporter could falsely imply that our BC Premier was a "bumbler".

Just like Premier Notley was elected to office because she was the best of the lot in Alberta, Premier Clarke was elected and remains Premier because she was and is by far the best of the lot in B.C. Same characteristics. Different political parties.

[logicalview]

Move on. Next topic?

Yes of course we need to move on, if any mis-deed the NDP does is exposed, then everyone must move on, and there's nothing to see here. Typical George hypocrisy.

[George+]

Typical rightwing bologna about nothing.

What does personal issues have to do with finances?

Notley acted wisely by having an MLA take further training
and even suspended the other.

Sounds fair to me.

Again, every political party is constantly asking for donations.
The swearing in seems to have gone well but may have had some party/political expenses?

We should look forward to a new budget.

[Urbane]

Do we care how many?

Political parties ASK for donations all the time.

It may not have been good imaging but is nothing new.
Certainly not criminal.

Move on. Next topic?

Friday morning, after the column below appeared, the NDP issued an apology for “the serious mistake” of inviting people to Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony while asking them to contribute money to the party.

The NDP was right to apologize for "a serious mistake" and not pretending, as George does, that it was okay.

[mr.bandaid]

I would hold a swearing party and charge to come hear me. Is gosh darn a swear word?

[Donald G]

To mrsbandaid ...

I think that that is called a "bumble" ... kind of like inviting a person to come to your wedding and bring money to pay for the wedding, reception and house that you will be setting up.

Unfortunately, because it is one of her first "bumbles" since the electioneering started it will likely stick to her like glue for some time to come.

IMO the other parties made too many "bumbles" during the election to single any one "bumble" out as an identity characteristic.