PM likely keeping a close eye on Alberta politics: analysts
Posted Mar 23, 2014 2:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Deputy Premier Dave Hancock has been sworn in as the province’s 15th premier but it’s expected everyone in Canadian politics will likely be paying attention to the turmoil surrounding the Alberta legislature.
Recent infighting amongst PC MLAs, two crossing the floor to sit as independents, and controversy over the cost of a trip to South Africa, led Premier Alison Redford to announce her resignation this past week.
Hancock officially take the reigns as interim premier in Edmonton in a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and is expected to serve for four to six months while a new party leader is chosen.
Political consultants and analysts say what’s happening in Alberta may not have huge ramifications on the federal level, but this could be a great temperature gauge for Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Alberta’s political scene.
Allan Bonner, a political consultant and adviser, said because Alberta is Harper’s home province and it’s also seen as a heartland for the Conservatives, he has no doubt the leader of Canada is paying close attention.
“When you cross the line into entitlement and personal gain at the taxpayers’ expense, that’s a whole new game, and we’ve had it in the senate, we’ve had it in Alberta,” said Bonner.
“What I would want to know if was Prime Minister Harper is, is this simply a rejection of the personality of Alison Redford or does this actually represent some sort of swing to the harder right?”
Gerry Nicholls, a freelance communications consultant, said Harper will likely tell his caucus not to take sides in any kind of leadership race.
“The federal Conservative party encompasses both the Progressive Conservatives as well as people who lean towards the Wildrose Party,” Nicholls said. “They get along together in caucus I’m sure, but if there is a leadership battle, that might lead to some tensions.”
There isn’t expected to be a major impact on politicians outside the province, but Nicholls said polls in the next few weeks will likely be closely watched by everyone in the political scene.
