Alberta Diary: Welcome to Wildrose Alberta! What do you mean they didn’t win?

By David Climenhaga, on February 19, 2013, at 12:16 am

OK, the National Post got a little overheated with this election-day photo of Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith. But, really, what’s the difference? Below: Premier Ernest Manning and Premier Alison Redford, bookends in Alberta’s endless conservative governing dynasty.

In April 2012, spooked by the dangers posed by a far-right Wildrose government, progressive voters in Alberta abandoned the parties they supported by the thousands to vote for Premier Alison Redford’s Conservatives.

What they got when they walked away from the New Democrats, the Alberta Liberals and the Alberta Party, it turns out, was a Wildrose government.

By this, of course, I don’t

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Alberta Diary: Summit call for ATB Financial privatization sets stage for rural Alberta banking battle

By David Climenhaga, on February 10, 2013, at 2:17 am

The Alberta Treasury Branch agency brings rural financial services to Czar, Alberta. You’ve got to know offices like this are doomed if ATB Financial is privatized. Below: William Aberhart in 1937, the year before he founded Alberta Treasury Branches; banker George Gosbee, in his role as Doogie Howser, CEO.

Assuming at least some of the ideas put forward at Saturday’s Alberta Economic Summit in Calgary actually represent the Redford Government’s policy plans and preferences, it was extremely interesting to hear investment banker George Gosbee call for privatization of ATB Financial.

The sale of the former Alberta Treasury Branches financial institution

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Alberta Diary: Preston Manning is no saint, as secretive Carleton University scheme illustrates

By david, on July 17, 2012, at 1:38 am

Preston Manning and his then-protégé Stephen Harper back in the day. Below: Mr. Manning as he now appears (United Church Observer photo): Alberta premier E.C. Manning, Preston Manning’s father; Mr. Harper as a Reform Party candidate.

Nowadays, folks think of Preston Manning as a benign force in Canadian politics – possibly because of his scratchy voice and grandfatherly demeanour, and partly because on a personal level he is most certainly an honourable person.

This is a dangerous misunderstanding.

It’s worth remembering that while the former Reform Party of Canada leader may not be a sinner, he is certainly no

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David Climenhaga's Alberta Diary: Peter Lougheed comes down from Olympus and endorses Alison Redford

By David J. Climenhaga, on April 14, 2012, at 3:15 am

Former Premier Peter Lougheed surveys the troubled scene in Alberta before endorsing Alison Redford. Some gods may not be exactly as illustrated. Below: Mr. Lougheed and Premiers William Aberhart and E.C. Manning.

The Big Guy has spoken. And he says: “Vote for Alison Redford.”

I don’t mean God. Bigger than God … and with a way better reputation around here. Look up! Look waaaaaaay up!

I’m talking about Peter Lougheed.

Peter Lougheed, the first Progressive Conservative premier of Alberta, who started it all 41 years ago, has entered the fray, coming down from Mount Olympus in Calgary

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