Nelson: Mark Carney should beware Danielle Smith
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Despite silly accusations of treason regarding her repeated attempts to reach out to the Trump camp to plead Canada's case as the nasty insults and confusing tariffs flew north across our border, Smith emerged victorious on election night. The predicted Liberal resurgence never happened. The Conservative vote held strong, coming in at almost 65 per cent and thereby claiming all but three of Alberta's 37 federal seats. Meanwhile, the NDP vote collapsed to six per cent, its support migrating to the Liberals.
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Sure, Smith wasn't on the ballot, but her constant battle over Liberal overreach into provincial affairs has made her a lightning rod for criticism across Canada. That the Alberta vote held fast is therefore her vindication, more than it was for those Conservative MPs now returning to Ottawa on her coattails. They should remember that in the uneasy months ahead.
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And what about provincial NDP Leader and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi? Where does he sit, after so many NDP votes turned to the Grits? Maybe they are simply following his lead, suggesting those two parties should align under a purple banner. Hey, Nenshi knows just the fellow to lead it. But continuing to attack Smith over her fight on behalf of Alberta is a losing strategy. In that game, she holds all the cards. If Nenshi can't see that, he's doomed.
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Of course, had Poilievre won, then the ongoing dumpster fire involving our provincial health-care system would have enveloped the premier. The NDP could have ridden that particular turkey to victory in a few years. That no longer holds. Today, Smith stands as the last bastion against the age-old encroachment by Central Canada into our affairs. She has nothing to gain by standing down. Neither does Alberta: witness the two-thirds of votes cast for the Conservatives.
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