Alberta grassroots group influencing UCP as elections near: political scientist

A Calgary political scientist claims a grassroots movement has an overarching influence over the United Conservative Party (UCP).

Take Back Alberta (TBA) is making its way across the province and holding events to get people involved in politics to ensure a conservative victory.

Founded in 2022 by David Parker, a right-wing activist. TBA is a registered political third-party advertiser.

It began as a way to tackle COVID-19 health measures.

TBA’s website says the movement aims to “advance freedom and transfer power from the ruling elite to the people.”

“Alberta has a history of creating right-wing parties, some that are successful, some that are not, but that’s been an ongoing feature of Alberta politics,” said Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt.

“In this case, TBA is not pursuing that route. Instead, they are trying to take over the UCP party. And in fact, their slogan is ‘Change politics from the inside.’ So, instead of creating a parallel party, [they] take over the existing one.”

The group were one of the organizations behind former premier Jason Kenney’s leadership race. Kenney had 51 per cent approval in the review, but he resigned.

TBA has also “swung their support behind Danielle Smith in the leadership race.”

While praising the group’s organizational skills, Bratt says TBA wants a new crop of candidates to take over constituency associations for the UCP, along with endorsing candidates that have been “winning nomination races.”

Alberta in the dark with ‘TBA’: Bratt

A public event meant to bring awareness to the politics in the province, TBA held a meeting for Calgarians on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Bratt says the group is an enigma at this time.

“There isn’t a whole lot of information about how many members they have, although it appears to be in the 10s of 1,000s,” Bratt said.

“We don’t know how much money they’ve raised because … there’s often a delay. And so, there’s not a lot listed there.”

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According to Bratt, TBA has been upfront on relitigating COVID, along with forming an opposition to COVID-19 restrictions.

The group has publically asked for amnesty and charges dropped during the Coutts border protest, along with several more protesting public health protocol.

TBA’s chief financial officer, Marco Van Huigenbos, was a Coutts border protestor, along with being a Fort Macleod town councillor. He’s one of four people charged with mischief over $5,000 in connection to the blockade.

Bratt says what’s happening is worrisome.

“He’s quite the orator. So, they are a skilled group. I just don’t think most Albertans understand what is going on here,” he said.

“But there’s going to be a lot of people who are just going to vote conservative because they’ve always voted conservative, not understanding what’s behind some of these candidates.”

CityNews has contacted Take Back Alberta and is awaiting a response.