Get ready Alberta — snap election tempting for Premier Smith
Danielle Smith must be tempted. What better time to call a snap election than after Prime Minister Mark Carney leaves Alberta standing at the altar, clutching a bouquet of empty promises?
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Sure, the current rules say the provincial election date is set, but that can change in a heartbeat if you have a majority government, like Smith's UCP.
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The timeline for such a call would suggest mid-September. Already, some in Smith's cabinet are warning Carney has until then to provide tangible proof his Liberal government isn't blowing smoke about fast-tracking major projects and making Canada an energy superpower.
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You can't expect a pipeline company to construct a line to B.C.'s northern coast to ship Alberta crude to Asia if there's a federal ban on tankers being allowed to dock. It insults our intelligence. You wonder if Ottawa would be happier if Alberta did pick up sticks and go it alone. Oh well, you eventually reap what you sow.
Today, waxing lyrical about supercharging the economy provides a nice sound bite. It helped get Carney elected, after all. But unless it's followed by appropriate action, then our prime minister's expertly-honed 'Captain Canada' persona will eventually crumble, replaced by a new moniker: 'Doctor Do-little.'
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Smith probably figured this out a while ago. Still, for now, it plays well to play along. Show you're on board with the whole Team Canada approach and give Carney enough political rope to hang himself, here in Alberta. Not that he ever had much support, but Smith has to be wary of appearing too gung-ho in jettisoning those nebulous federal overtures with that separation vote looming.
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There's a fine line for the premier between standing up for Alberta and giving outright backing for a push to leave Canada. The first is a winning electoral strategy; the second could spell the demise of Smith's political career. Heck, even before the public got to vote on separation, the not-really-so-united Conservative party would probably split apart if the premier publicly urged a yes vote.
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A snap fall election dodges that bullet. Or at least delays it. Smith can ask for a strong mandate to make one final push to convince Ottawa that our province needs support and respect.
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