As a small town Albertan I’m saddened that my fellow rural people are ‘digging in’ when the Conservatives in power now are anything but conserving our way of life! They are handing power and money to huge corporations by destroying our basic rights to healthcare and education, look at the cruelty being poured onto the disabled community right now. The not withstanding clause to hurt our hard working teachers who are entrusted with the education of our future generation. When did Albertans decide cruelty towards anyone was justified so that the few could gain more wealth? I think of Alberta as a hard working supportive population. Battery needs a boost, they stop. Stuck in deep snow or car dies, usually several hop out to push. I miss that Alberta. And would like to see us actually get back to our real roots.
Hoping better than Texas. Good news federally it sounds like. I’m concerned 😦 for what the election of Avi Lewis means for NDP in Alberta going forward. Provincial and federal NDP are linked, unlike the other parties. In my mind Lewis dealt a serious blow to AB NDP when he applauded Rachel Notley’s loss to UCP in 2019 - it was traitorous to NDP, but particularly mean and ill-advised given all the good Rachel had accomplished and also started (that disappeared the instant Kenney walked onto the stage), and deepened with Danielle’s succession. Why would anyone do that? It’s incomprehensible to me. I’ve been around for as long as all three Lewis’s have. Avi is wealthy, entitled, arrogant, has an egregious lack of humility (from what I know and have seen over decades of this family), and is just WAY out over his skis on how to engage with the constituency of both members of parliament, legislature, and public members at large and to try to enact, or even present his policies. He has no grace or humility, that I’ve seen so far, and I fear it does not bode well for us here in Alberta. I was pleased to hear Nenshi express dissatisfaction with him and also pleased we have Rakhi Poncholi as deputy party leader. Still I fear RIP NDP. I will be ecstatic to be proven wrong! 😑 Rant completed.
and honestly, you’re not alone in feeling that tension inside the NDP right now.
What you’re pointing to is something bigger than one person… it’s about trust and alignment between leadership and the people on the ground.
Rachel Notley built a version of the party that a lot of Albertans... even non-traditional NDP voters... could actually connect with.
When that gets disrupted, especially in a way that feels dismissive of what was built, it leaves a mark.
And in a province like Alberta, where the NDP already has to walk a very fine line, that kind of internal friction matters more than it would elsewhere.
That said… Alberta politics has a way of surprising people.
We’ve already seen that once.
So I wouldn’t write the ending just yet.
If anything, this moment might force some clarity about what the party actually stands for going forward.
And sometimes that reset... messy as it is... is what determines whether a party fades… or finds its footing again.
Texas is losing ground. They are waking up slowly and the generational gap is a deep divide. Evangelical Christians in the US fund conservatives in Alberta. Read their Project 25 and overall plan. I sure hope people in Alberta are thinking it through. The US can’t run itself let alone anyone else.
In a sense it also gets to something I’ve thought about for a while now which is that whether we end up having to vote on it in referendum or not, the separation movement is losing momentum every single day
A lot of these movements feel strongest when they’re driven by emotion and momentum… but once people start thinking through the real-world consequences, the energy can fade pretty quickly.
And if the cities are starting to shift... even a little... that makes it harder to sustain a broad push for separation.
Because at the end of the day, you’d need more than rural support to carry something like that.
What we might be seeing isn’t a surge… but a slow deflation.
I know it can be difficult to do nowadays but the best thing to do is draw upon logical conclusions based on first hand experience/ information, that’s how I came to the realization I did: for as much as these idiots claim there’s a hunger for separation, seeing my friends on socials talk about how many of the separatists have been confined to places like parking lots and what not to collect signatures actually speaks to a desperation within the movement
And keep in mind my friends don’t live in the city like I do, they live in the townships and rural areas of the province so when even they’re telling me they’re seeing that sort of breakdown happening, there is reason to be a little hopeful
The split between urban and rural goes back as far as the formation of cities. In the U.S., the reason for the electoral college was primarily to give states with small populations more clout than their numbers would have in a purely democratic system. As the balance between rural and urban populations shift, public opinion shifts.
You’re still one of the people who’s doing the hard work, so that those of us who fear what the crowd of really awful people can do to us, not just as Albertans, but as Canadians! Cheers Fred!
Edmonton has been strongly orange for a while. The problem will be this turn to red and probable vote-splitting to the benefit of blue. Happened last federal election in Edmonton-Griesbach.
💯 vote them out, but suing her and her business friends to recoup some of the stolen $$ would send a message too- public monies isn’t your personal bank account.
“Philip Vander Ziel” is a right wing troll with no subscribers or followers. Can you say foreign bot? Statistically, rural people are not more “financially independent” than people in cities; in fact they are often poorer and even more reliant on government assistance.
This is the same across Canada. Check every province. Cities vote Liberal because they are mostly people who look for or need gov assistance. Rural are self reliant business owners who vote Conservative.
Rural Alberta has traditionally been "informed" by US-owned PostMedia - owners of NationalPost, the SUNs, etc.
US-owned PostMedia loves to flog crime-related items -- and opinion pieces that reduce to "Canada sucks. US does it better".
US-owned PostMedia provides full-throated support for PP's Cons.
US-owned PostMedia never delves into PP's questionable history while using any opportunity to flail JT - and now Carney - for the smallest blemishes.
US-owned PostMedia shamelessly provides a national platform for the multi-syllable ramblings from Lord Felon of CrossHarbour (a friend of J Epstein) on one page while wailing about LawnOrder on the next page.
As a small town Albertan I’m saddened that my fellow rural people are ‘digging in’ when the Conservatives in power now are anything but conserving our way of life! They are handing power and money to huge corporations by destroying our basic rights to healthcare and education, look at the cruelty being poured onto the disabled community right now. The not withstanding clause to hurt our hard working teachers who are entrusted with the education of our future generation. When did Albertans decide cruelty towards anyone was justified so that the few could gain more wealth? I think of Alberta as a hard working supportive population. Battery needs a boost, they stop. Stuck in deep snow or car dies, usually several hop out to push. I miss that Alberta. And would like to see us actually get back to our real roots.
You just said what a lot of people are feeling Rebecca… but not saying out loud.
That Alberta you’re talking about...
the one where people stop to help, push a stranger’s car, look out for each other... that’s the part nobody wants to lose.
And I don’t think it’s gone.
I think it’s getting buried under politics that turn everything into “us vs them”… instead of “we take care of our own.”
What you’re pointing to isn’t left or right... it’s values.
And when people start feeling like those values are slipping, that’s when the ground starts to shift… quietly at first.
That’s what these numbers are hinting at.
Not a revolt.
But a question starting to form...
👉 “Is this still who we are?”
Appreciate you saying it straight.
Again, appreciate your very thoughtful and human response. TKX again Fred!
So true Rebecca, and also so sad because of what I hope is a temporary demise. Thank you.
Hoping better than Texas. Good news federally it sounds like. I’m concerned 😦 for what the election of Avi Lewis means for NDP in Alberta going forward. Provincial and federal NDP are linked, unlike the other parties. In my mind Lewis dealt a serious blow to AB NDP when he applauded Rachel Notley’s loss to UCP in 2019 - it was traitorous to NDP, but particularly mean and ill-advised given all the good Rachel had accomplished and also started (that disappeared the instant Kenney walked onto the stage), and deepened with Danielle’s succession. Why would anyone do that? It’s incomprehensible to me. I’ve been around for as long as all three Lewis’s have. Avi is wealthy, entitled, arrogant, has an egregious lack of humility (from what I know and have seen over decades of this family), and is just WAY out over his skis on how to engage with the constituency of both members of parliament, legislature, and public members at large and to try to enact, or even present his policies. He has no grace or humility, that I’ve seen so far, and I fear it does not bode well for us here in Alberta. I was pleased to hear Nenshi express dissatisfaction with him and also pleased we have Rakhi Poncholi as deputy party leader. Still I fear RIP NDP. I will be ecstatic to be proven wrong! 😑 Rant completed.
That’s a thoughtful take Patricia...
and honestly, you’re not alone in feeling that tension inside the NDP right now.
What you’re pointing to is something bigger than one person… it’s about trust and alignment between leadership and the people on the ground.
Rachel Notley built a version of the party that a lot of Albertans... even non-traditional NDP voters... could actually connect with.
When that gets disrupted, especially in a way that feels dismissive of what was built, it leaves a mark.
And in a province like Alberta, where the NDP already has to walk a very fine line, that kind of internal friction matters more than it would elsewhere.
That said… Alberta politics has a way of surprising people.
We’ve already seen that once.
So I wouldn’t write the ending just yet.
If anything, this moment might force some clarity about what the party actually stands for going forward.
And sometimes that reset... messy as it is... is what determines whether a party fades… or finds its footing again.
Thank you so much Fred for your very thoughtful, and encouraging and supportive response. Saving it for future reminding. ☺️
I think you are quite astute!! And I appreciate that. Bravo!!!
Appreciate that, Sherry... thank you.
I’m just trying to follow the numbers and connect the dots without the usual noise.
When something starts shifting this quietly… it’s usually worth paying attention.
Texas is losing ground. They are waking up slowly and the generational gap is a deep divide. Evangelical Christians in the US fund conservatives in Alberta. Read their Project 25 and overall plan. I sure hope people in Alberta are thinking it through. The US can’t run itself let alone anyone else.
In a sense it also gets to something I’ve thought about for a while now which is that whether we end up having to vote on it in referendum or not, the separation movement is losing momentum every single day
There’s definitely an argument for that Kyle.
A lot of these movements feel strongest when they’re driven by emotion and momentum… but once people start thinking through the real-world consequences, the energy can fade pretty quickly.
And if the cities are starting to shift... even a little... that makes it harder to sustain a broad push for separation.
Because at the end of the day, you’d need more than rural support to carry something like that.
What we might be seeing isn’t a surge… but a slow deflation.
I SO hope you’re right, Kyle. I just listened to two Bill Kelly podcasts. Rather scary with what’s likely happening yet hidden south of our border.
I know it can be difficult to do nowadays but the best thing to do is draw upon logical conclusions based on first hand experience/ information, that’s how I came to the realization I did: for as much as these idiots claim there’s a hunger for separation, seeing my friends on socials talk about how many of the separatists have been confined to places like parking lots and what not to collect signatures actually speaks to a desperation within the movement
And keep in mind my friends don’t live in the city like I do, they live in the townships and rural areas of the province so when even they’re telling me they’re seeing that sort of breakdown happening, there is reason to be a little hopeful
The split between urban and rural goes back as far as the formation of cities. In the U.S., the reason for the electoral college was primarily to give states with small populations more clout than their numbers would have in a purely democratic system. As the balance between rural and urban populations shift, public opinion shifts.
You’re absolutely right Jacques... that urban vs rural split isn’t new.
It’s been baked into politics for a long time.
What feels different now is the speed of the shift…
especially in places where the pattern used to be almost automatic.
Alberta’s been one of those places.
For years, you didn’t really need to analyze it...
the outcome was predictable.
Now you’re seeing movement inside the cities that actually matters in terms of seats.
That’s the part that’s new.
Same divide… but the balance inside it is starting to move.
And once that happens, things stop being predictable.
You are a very smart and wise man Fred! And I, and apparently, a bunch of your followers/subscribers see that as well.
That’s kind of you to say, Patricia... I appreciate it.
Truth is, I’m just paying attention and asking the same questions a lot of people are starting to ask.
If anything, this space works because of conversations like this... thoughtful, honest, and a little unfiltered.
That’s where the real signal is.
You’re still one of the people who’s doing the hard work, so that those of us who fear what the crowd of really awful people can do to us, not just as Albertans, but as Canadians! Cheers Fred!
Edmonton has been strongly orange for a while. The problem will be this turn to red and probable vote-splitting to the benefit of blue. Happened last federal election in Edmonton-Griesbach.
Let’s hope that this continues. Alberta can only benefit if it does!
I think what matters most isn’t which way it goes Joseph…
it’s that people are actually rethinking things instead of just voting on autopilot.
A healthy province has some tension in it...
different ideas, different priorities... that’s how you get better decisions over time.
If this shift means more people are paying attention and asking questions?
That’s a net positive no matter where you land politically.
The real win is when voters start choosing… instead of just defaulting.
Sounds like Texas
I hope the ppl sue smith and her regime for the lies and finally get leadership all Albertans deserve- cons been conning them for a very long time
I get the frustration Kat...
a lot of people are feeling like they’ve been sold one thing and handed something else.
That said, real change usually doesn’t come from lawsuits…
it comes from voters deciding they’ve had enough and showing it at the ballot box.
What’s interesting right now is you can see that shift starting in the cities.
Not a wave… but definitely movement.
And once people start questioning instead of just voting out of habit, things can change faster than expected.
That’s the part worth watching.
💯 vote them out, but suing her and her business friends to recoup some of the stolen $$ would send a message too- public monies isn’t your personal bank account.
“Philip Vander Ziel” is a right wing troll with no subscribers or followers. Can you say foreign bot? Statistically, rural people are not more “financially independent” than people in cities; in fact they are often poorer and even more reliant on government assistance.
Very interesting and hopeful Fred. Thank you!
We need to stop this conservative party until it gets it's act together. The behavior of politicians in the states will not be tolerated here.
There’s definitely a generational shift happening in a lot of places... not just Alberta or Texas.
Younger voters tend to look at things differently, and over time that changes the balance, whether people like it or not.
On the outside influence piece…
I think what matters most is that Albertans make decisions based on what actually works here, not what’s being pushed from anywhere else.
At the end of the day, this province has its own identity, its own needs, and its own way of doing things.
The more people step back and think it through... instead of just reacting... the better the outcome will be.
Hmmmm... Velly intelesting..
This is the same across Canada. Check every province. Cities vote Liberal because they are mostly people who look for or need gov assistance. Rural are self reliant business owners who vote Conservative.
Rural Alberta has traditionally been "informed" by US-owned PostMedia - owners of NationalPost, the SUNs, etc.
US-owned PostMedia loves to flog crime-related items -- and opinion pieces that reduce to "Canada sucks. US does it better".
US-owned PostMedia provides full-throated support for PP's Cons.
US-owned PostMedia never delves into PP's questionable history while using any opportunity to flail JT - and now Carney - for the smallest blemishes.
US-owned PostMedia shamelessly provides a national platform for the multi-syllable ramblings from Lord Felon of CrossHarbour (a friend of J Epstein) on one page while wailing about LawnOrder on the next page.
And the supreme court