[Radley77]

With the upcoming election of the PC leadership, and the first ballot on September 17, 2011, I thought I would kick off a new thread to discuss. This last week I bought a PC membership for the first time in my life because I wanted to make sure I had a choice in the direction of the leadership of Alberta.

Who and why do you think would make the best leader of the PC party? I am looking forward to your comments!

[DizzyEdge]

Curious what people think of Alison Redford. I had heard the description of "social liberal, fiscal conservative" which as a vague description is the sort of person I can get behind.

[Ramsayfarian]

Curious what people think of Alison Redford. I had heard the description of "social liberal, fiscal conservative" which as a vague description is the sort of person I can get behind.

So far she's the only one I think that shows any promise.

[suburb]

Mayor just tweeted this with regards to the campaign:

"Check out www.CitiesMatter.ca (http://www.CitiesMatter.ca) to learn where PC leader candidates sand on issues important to you! #yyc #pcldr #ableg"

[PoscStudent]

As a big geek I'm super jealous that Albertan's get to have two leadership races this month.

[Aegis]

Curious what people think of Alison Redford. I had heard the description of "social liberal, fiscal conservative" which as a vague description is the sort of person I can get behind.

I was thinking of buying a membership and voting for her. We live in a "one-party state", so the only way to participate in the political process is to join the Party. It's sad but true.

I heard her on Rutherford, and I found her to be very sharp and aware of the issues. Too bad the host had nothing intelligent to ask her.

[DizzyEdge]

Resume seems quite interesting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Redford

[Radley77]

I am leaning towards Alison Redford currently. It's easy to get a PC membership. I got one so because I was worried of the risks of a poor leader for our provincial government. I'm glad to see Nenshi getting involved in the dialogue via www.citiesmatter.ca .

[Bigtime]

I haven't followed this race at all, but I do know that Alison Redford has Stephen Carter running her campaign. It will be interesting to see if he can go 2 in a row for getting candidates elected.

[Innersoul1]

I really really like Alison. I am familiar with her as she took over for my father-in-law as Minister of Justice/Attorney General. However, I had never met her until this summer at Stampede. I was in a box at the 'chucks for a law firm's function. She happened to be there. She talked to me for about 45 minutes. She was particularly interested on my thoughts on the current state and future of education in the province given that I am a teacher. I was impressed by her opinions along with her vision. She is very well spoken and thoughtful. Moreover, I was very impressed that she spoke with me for so long given that there were a number of more important people than me who were in that box.

Ted Morton honestly freaks me out. I have met him a number of times at political functions and he truly embodies the old boys club of the PC party.

[PoscStudent]

I think both Redford and Mar would be great as Premier, I was really impressed with Redford's answers on citiesmatter.ca. The website is a great idea and I actually may send the link to the Mayor of St. John's to suggest he do a similar thing in our provincial election, he has already mentioned wanting a new funding arrangement with the province so setting up something like this website would be a great way to let residence know where the leaders and parties stand.

[PoscStudent]

Double post.

[Calgarian]

Go Liberals?

[gantenbein]

Prefer Redford, but could also live with Mar. Morton is scary, and I wouldn't even say he embodies the old PC party (that would be a good thing, if we're talking Lougheed) -- more like its scary Reform-aligned wing, just as Harper's Cons have replaced a federal PC party that at least had moments of moderation and progressiveness.

[DizzyEdge]

Go Liberals?

I could probably get behind a Liberal platform, but their name is poison in Alberta.

I'd like the Alberta party to get more of a profile, they seemed interesting.

[Knoots]

I was thinking of buying a membership and voting for her. We live in a "one-party state", so the only way to participate in the political process is to join the Party. It's sad but true.

Yes, absolutely buy a membership and vote. I bought one last week (never thought I would be a PC member - it may come back and haunt me like Nycole Turmel with the NDP!).

[Aegis]

Yes, absolutely buy a membership and vote. I bought one last week (never thought I would be a PC member - it may come back and haunt me like Nycole Turmel with the NDP!).

I supported Dinning in the last race. I'm not a regular PC, but as I said before, I don't mind buying a membership to add my vote to their leadership race. I wouldn't buy one any other time.

I'm not a fan of the ranked ballot voting system. It often allows for screwy results. For those that are unfamiliar with this system, when you vote you are required to rank your preferred candidates as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. Often, the vote is split between a few popular candidates (20-30% each), and people don't give a lot of thought to their second and third choice vote. Unless one candidate has a clear majority on the first round of voting, the next round of voting then is based on people's second choice. Statistically its rare that it goes to the third choice ballot, if there is one. The first ballot will be polarized such that several of the most popular candidates will not receive enough support to continue on to the second ballot. Often, the result is that many people agree on their second choice but not on the their first choice. This is precisely what happened with the last Alberta PC leadership vote in which Ed Stelmach was elected, and a similar result happened with the Liberal Party of Canada leadership race in which Stephane Dion was elected, though I'm not 100% sure if they used the ranked system or just a regular run-off voting system. In both cases, the winner is almost nobody's first choice, but many people's second choice. So, nobody is happy with the result.

I prefer a first-past-the-post selection system in which a clear winner is chosen, then the rest of the party can unite around them.

I'm disappointed that Stelmach was forced out. He's governed in a hostile political environment and almost exclusively during a recession. Oh, did I mention he isn't a drunk and can speak intelligently about some of the major issues at hand? He surrounded himself with people less capable than himself, (Liepert, Duckett, Evans, Morton) and never developed much of a realtionship with the media to allow him to develop the charisma necessary to appeal to "joe idiot voter."

[Bassic Lab]

Prefer Redford, but could also live with Mar. Morton is scary, and I wouldn't even say he embodies the old PC party (that would be a good thing, if we're talking Lougheed) -- more like its scary Reform-aligned wing, just as Harper's Cons have replaced a federal PC party that at least had moments of moderation and progressiveness.

Mar has been positioning himself to the right of Morton in this race. If Morton scares you, then I'm not sure why Mar would ease your concerns.

[Aegis]

It amazes me that the local media isn't making more of this story.

http://www.calgarybeacon.com/2011/09/ted-morton-says-everybody-does-it-well-stand-up-straight-alberta-and-listen-to-your-mother/

This is the opposite of being accountable. It's basically fraud (a deliberate misrepresentation), and shouldn't be tolerated.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Mar has been positioning himself to the right of Morton in this race. If Morton scares you, then I'm not sure why Mar would ease your concerns.

Uh, because Morton is a raging homophobic bigot and Mar supported same-sex marriage?

Because Morton has the support of Rob Anders?

[Radley77]

Gary Mar leads as PC leadership vote looms: Poll

Gary Mar: 31%
Alison Redford: 20%
Doug Horner: 12%
Ted Morton: 10%
Rick Orman: 5%
Doug Griffiths: 4%

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Gary+leads+leadership+vote+looms+Poll/5392634/story.html#ixzz1Xqr13D7z

I talked to a number of friends from different circles, and it seems like there is definitely broad support for Alison Redford in Calgary. The poll indicates that Gary Mar has the broadest support throughout the province. Glad to see the "Shredder" Ted Morton trailing so badly; wouldn't be suprised if some of the leadership candidates are holding back new signups.

[O-tacular]

The choice should be between a giant douche and a turd sandwich.

[Wooster]

The poll was conducted basically as the Morton email scandal broke. I wonder how it will end up affecting him.

[Cage]

Redford is a great candidate for Mayor of either Edmonton or Calgary, but not a very good candidate for Mayor of small town Alberta. This will unfortunately be her undoing.

Mar is trying very hard to outflank Morton on the far right of the campaign. This is likely to position himself for a possible thrid round second choice ballot victory should history repeat itself and Morton supporters become king makers again.

Morton is holding onto his far right and rural Alberta support base. It won't take Ted to the promised land but it will put into the King maker position.

Horner is too much like Redford and big city brand will cost him with the rural PC voters.

Best hope for a Redford win is to have Horner and Orman throw support behind her and to have both Morton and Mar in the final three.

[gantenbein]

I've read it a couple times now, but where exactly is this notion that Mar is 'outflanking Morton on the right' coming from? Is it just what he said about health care, or is there something else to it. I ask this sincerely -- I haven't followed every utterance of the candidates.

I'm by no means a Mar supporter (or a supporter of any C/conservative politician), but I just can't follow how someone could think Mar is suddenly to the right of Morton. I know Morton's currently keeping stumm about his more frightening beliefs, but that's strategic -- does anyone really believe it's some kind of sudden political conversion?

[PoscStudent]

I've read it a couple times now, but where exactly is this notion that Mar is 'outflanking Morton on the right' coming from? Is it just what he said about health care, or is there something else to it. I ask this sincerely -- I haven't followed every utterance of the candidates.

I'm by no means a Mar supporter (or a supporter of any C/conservative politician), but I just can't follow how someone could think Mar is suddenly to the right of Morton. I know Morton's currently keeping stumm about his more frightening beliefs, but that's strategic -- does anyone really believe it's some kind of sudden political conversion?

I was wondering the same thing, obviously being from Newfoundland and Labrador I have not been following the race much but I did find these comments odd. What I have read is that Mar, Redford and Horner are all basically red Tories.

I don't see anything really right-wing in this http://garymar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Gary-Mar-Policy-Book1.pdf

[Bassic Lab]

Uh, because Morton is a raging homophobic bigot and Mar supported same-sex marriage?

Because Morton has the support of Rob Anders?

More because Mar, as others have mentioned, has made the conscious decision to advocate for two tier healthcare. Even the Wildrose starts throwing euphemisms around when they talk about their plans for healthcare.

[DizzyEdge]

So who's voting tomorrow?

[Wooster]

I'm thinking of joining to vote. Still undecided, but 3 possibles.

[DizzyEdge]

I got my membership earlier in the week. I'm going to do a bit o' research tonight and figure out who gets my vote.

[Cage]

I've read it a couple times now, but where exactly is this notion that Mar is 'outflanking Morton on the right' coming from? Is it just what he said about health care, or is there something else to it. I ask this sincerely -- I haven't followed every utterance of the candidates.

You are right, Mar should be a red Tory, however he appears to have changed throughout the leadership bid.

Indications that Mar is right wing as Morton:
- 2 tier healthcare, Mar grabbed Canada's third rail with both hands. If he gets electrocuted tomorrow - it will be over healthcare.
- Mar's platform is long on low taxes and smaller government, short on new spending or grandiose big government ideas.
- Mar's letter to citiesmatter (both in format, language, and lack of specifics) closely mirror that of Morton.

[PoscStudent]

Has any candidate said when they want to go to the polls?

[DizzyEdge]

Well I voted. The teen girl and guy sitting at the ballot table commented that mine was the first internet-purchased membership they had seen that day, and I mentioned that there was a button right on the front page of the website where you can buy it, and she said "people shouldn't have to pay".

Future conservative, right there :haha:

[DizzyEdge]

Well with 6% reporting, Mar has 49.5%

[Radley77]

Well I voted. The teen girl and guy sitting at the ballot table commented that mine was the first internet-purchased membership they had seen that day, and I mentioned that there was a button right on the front page of the website where you can buy it, and she said "people shouldn't have to pay".

Future conservative, right there :haha:

Haha! I went to the Calgary Mountain-View polling location and was suprised that it was very slow when I went. More people at Higher Ground coffee shop.

What do you think of the results?

I was excited for Doug Horner to make it into the top three as that was a big question mark whether it would be him or Ted Morton. I think this is indicative of the PC base.

I like Gary Mar, but I'm concerned he has so many friends within the old party structure that he'll be reluctant to make changes (he had 26 MLA endorsements) compared to Doug Horner (15 MLA's) and Alison Redford (1 MLA). Only Alison and Doug strike me as the candidates who are willing to stick their necks out to make changes where appropriate.

Anyways, I don't mind Gary Mar, but I don't think he is the best for the job.

[Calgarian]

Sounds like Gary Mar might be the next Premier, and I have to admit that I don't really know much about him.

When is the next provincial election?

[lubicon]

Sounds like Gary Mar might be the next Premier, and I have to admit that I don't really know much about him.

When is the next provincial election?

Whenever the next Premier decides to call it. Last one was (I think) about 2-3 years ago so we don't have to have one by law for another few years.

Last time around wasn't Stelmach in 3rd place after the first ballot? just because Mar is in first after the first doesn't necessarily mean a lot at the end.

[5seconds]

Whenever the next Premier decides to call it. Last one was (I think) about 2-3 years ago so we don't have to have one by law for another few years.

Last time around wasn't Stelmach in 3rd place after the first ballot? just because Mar is in first after the first doesn't necessarily mean a lot at the end.

The last election was March 3, 2008, so the next one will be no later than March 2013, but probably sooner.

It seems common in western democracies that there is a bit of a 'gentleman's agreement' that an election is called within 1 year of a change of leadership (Not just in Alberta), so as not to look like the role of Premier was filled without a mandate from all voters.

Yup, Stelmach was in 3rd. The only difference I see for Mar is that when Stelmach got the job, the front runner after the first vote had only 30% of the vote, while Mar has 40%. In the last leadership race, the candidates who did not make it to round 2 had a lot more power to ask their supporters to choose a different candidate. This time, the supporters of the bottom 3 would have to *all* choose Alison Redford, and she could barely win so long as no Mar voters changed their minds. I'm not sure if Horner could win with the supporters of the bottom 3 if no one else changed their mind.

[Innersoul1]

The last election was March 3, 2008, so the next one will be no later than March 2013, but probably sooner.

It seems common in western democracies that there is a bit of a 'gentleman's agreement' that an election is called within 1 year of a change of leadership (Not just in Alberta), so as not to look like the role of Premier was filled without a mandate from all voters.

Yup, Stelmach was in 3rd. The only difference I see for Mar is that when Stelmach got the job, the front runner after the first vote had only 30% of the vote, while Mar has 40%. In the last leadership race, the candidates who did not make it to round 2 had a lot more power to ask their supporters to choose a different candidate. This time, the supporters of the bottom 3 would have to *all* choose Alison Redford, and she could barely win so long as no Mar voters changed their minds. I'm not sure if Horner could win with the supporters of the bottom 3 if no one else changed their mind.


Additionally, in the last leadership race it was Stelmach who legitimately won on the second ballot. It might be a stretch to see Allison win. I am eager to see who might throw their support behind her. But I have a feeling that most will support Mar

[cranium]

Just heard that Morton and Orman have both endorsed Mar for the upcoming second ballot. Not saying they will deliver all their supporters to Mar, but they will deliver most. Looking very unlikely that Redford or Horner can repeat what fast Eddie did coming up the middle from third in the last leadership race.

[Boris2k7]

My mom is an MD and typically a conservative voter provincially and federally. She told me the other day that if Mar wins that might be enough to make her switch to Liberal.

[MichaelS]

Did she explain her reasoning?

[para transit fellow]

I'm getting seriously cynical about the leadership race. I'm beginning to think the public forums are just for show. politican apathy seems to abound.


http://www.rockyviewweekly.com/article/20110919/RVW0902/309199991/politicians-apathy-pathetic-but-not-surprising

[flar]

When is the next provincial election?

I was on a call yesterday with some people in the Alberta provincial government, they were warning us there was a good possibility of a snap election in November.

New premier should be sworn in by October 5.

[Boris2k7]

Did she explain her reasoning?

Not much explanation needed. Mar's corrupt nature and his support of privatized health care warrants a giant "piss off!"

[5seconds]

Not much explanation needed. Mar's corrupt nature and his support of privatized health care warrants a giant "piss off!"

I would imagine the fact that the Liberal leader, Raj Sherman, is an MD, and has a record for publicly standing up for patient issues, even when his stance was at odds with the government might be a factor.

I would be surprised if the new Premiere would call an election so soon after the leadership was settled. Unless they thought that their popularity would slide over the next year or two, and consider this the best time to lock in for another 5 years. This doesn't seem to be the case, as it seems some of the wildrose support that was all the talk for the last year seems to be stagnating.

[Radley77]

I had read a poll somewhere that as soon as Stelmach announced he was stepping down that the wildrose support sank dramatically.

I think the biggest risk to the PC party is stagnancy. Under Gary Mar's leadership, and the motto of unity, I am skeptical of the ability of Mar to make changes to revitalize the party. The median age of Albertans is 37 or so, and Alberta PC MLA's median age is 57 or so when I checked last. The risk is that if they can't communicate with new technology, and don't engage with different demographics on issues that matter they will fail to stay 'current.' Discontent over the party will grow until a better alternative manifests.

The PC party requires to conduct it's operations in a more transparent manner, engage with citizens, be accountable and show costs and value of the services it provides. All of this is missing, and that is why citizens get upset about things like the carbon, capture and storage funding. Noone knows how that project was selected over it's peers, or what the value is to Albertans.

Ted Morton's enthusiastic endorsement of Gary Mar, I think was a very bad for the democratic process. Albertans should be allowed to trust that the party in power will make decisions in the best interest of citizens instead of backroom politics.

Sorry for the rant!

[MichaelS]

Not much explanation needed. Mar's corrupt nature and his support of privatized health care warrants a giant "piss off!"

Just curious to hear the reasonings from a doctor. I haven't heard many doctors comment on the whole public vs. private health care debate. What does your mom think of the current public system in place? What changes would she like to see made? (You don't need to ask her if you don't want, just curious is all).

Also, what makes you say Mar has a corrupt nature?

[O-tacular]

Just curious to hear the reasonings from a doctor. I haven't heard many doctors comment on the whole public vs. private health care debate. What does your mom think of the current public system in place? What changes would she like to see made? (You don't need to ask her if you don't want, just curious is all).

Also, what makes you say Mar has a corrupt nature?

I can't comment on a doctor's perspective, but the prospect of a 2 tier privatized healthcare system recently became a serious issue for me. As a newly married person my wife and I have had the distinct pleasure of trying to find a mutual family doctor. It seems every practice you approach has a policy of not accepting any patients who have a past/current family doctor. If it is this hard to find physicians in a public system now, can you imagine what it'll be like when the private clinics poach all the good doctors? I've already experienced this first hand as I wanted to move to a new clinic with an old doctor I saw until I found out it's a private practice. No matter what Mar tells the public, a two tier system will inevitably favour the rich and only exacerbate the current problem.

End rant.

[Boris2k7]

From what I have gathered from talking with my mom over the years about the system for a while, the problems that come up most often are:

i) misuse of resources

- ex1. people go into walk-in clinics with injuries that should see them checking into a hospital
- ex2. people go into appointments with no actual health problems but have needless anxiety over them (me mom calls these the "worried healthy"); these tend to be older women

ii) lack of graduates going into family medicine

- partially stems from the low rates of compensation relative to specialists, not that family doctors are doing particularly BAD
- also has to do with the long hours (in and outside of the office) and need for broad-based knowledge v.s. the narrowly focused parts of the profession
- this is going to be a big, big problem when current doctors, who are very overbooked, start retiring

iii) costs of running a clinic not really accounted for in payouts

- my mom and her partners get paid by a schedule based on the number of patients they see, and the costs of office staff and leasing the office space come out of that pay
- relates to ii)

iv) glacially slow transition to new systems

- until a couple years ago, most doctors in alberta were still putting everything down on paper, and i've seen the volumes of work just one office has, everything is just starting to move to digital now
- part of the reason for this slow transition is that the provincial government was loathe to pay for the necessary infrastructure

v) diagnosis often comes far too late

- most of the time, this just means more costly treatment later on, sometimes it means that someone dies that didn't have to


As for Mar's nature, may get to that in a bit.

[MichaelS]

Maybe to play devil's advocate here, but wouldn't iii), iv), and v) (and maybe even ii.) all be helped by allowing doctors to privatize, and run their clinics as they see fit, and not as how the provincial government sees fit? I am not necessarily advocating 2 tier health care, but in your big response, all I saw was complaints about the current system. Why would we be opposed to looking at altering it?

[Boris2k7]

In response to that, I would say that there's a lot of room for reform. But any changes can't compromise the goals of the system (e.g. universal access). For what it's worth, the majority of family doctors already work like my mother in privately owned clinics on a pay schedule agreed to between the medical associations and the provincial governments. It's essentially tightly regulated, private delivery based on public health insurance.

To privatize more, you'd probably be looking at either private expansion into further areas (such as hospitals), or allowing for doctors to set their own pay schedules outside the public system (which would defund the public system).

I think, from the viewpoint of an MD, it would seem like there are identifiable flaws in the system but that we could be much, much worse off (just look south of the border).

[suburb]

Maybe to play devil's advocate here, but wouldn't iii), iv), and v) (and maybe even ii.) all be helped by allowing doctors to privatize, and run their clinics as they see fit, and not as how the provincial government sees fit? I am not necessarily advocating 2 tier health care, but in your big response, all I saw was complaints about the current system. Why would we be opposed to looking at altering it?

Boris' note didn't provide numbers. I know of family physicians that clear $500K/yr. True that some only clear $200K-$250K/yr, but often those are ones that work the equivalent of part-time. Remember that while family physician clinics are open long hours, often they are staffed by a number of family docs, so it is not like they are working all the time.

[Boris2k7]

Boris' note didn't provide numbers. I know of family physicians that clear $500K/yr. True that some only clear $200K-$250K/yr, but often those are ones that work the equivalent of part-time. Remember that while family physician clinics are open long hours, often they are staffed by a number of family docs, so it is not like they are working all the time.

According to the CMA, the average salary is about $210-220K per year, but that's gross pay. Overhead is "estimated" at 40%, but that's variable. The pay schedules were boosted a bit in the last few years which helped get to this level, but it's still way out of line with what specialists get. Not that family doctors are doing particularly poor for pay, again. $110-$120K a year isn't bad at all. Many doctors who are very well off tend to either have married a specialist or have successfully invested their wealth.

There are outliers in either direction. In the last few years, my mother has seen quite a boost in her pay schedule, with the increase in salary outpacing the rising costs of running a practice. That has been enough to reverse the flow of doctors into the province (it was negative for a few years back in the mid-90's), but the rate of new entrants is a trickle compared to population growth. Doctors aren't fleeing the province en masse anymore, but they sure aren't latching onto our land of opportunity bullshit either. Licensing doctors who've immigrated here with foreign credentials would help a bit, but that's also just a drop in the bucket.

[MichaelS]

Thanks for the comments Boris.

[Innersoul1]

I would really like to see the RAM design quashed by whoever takes over....among other things.

[5seconds]

Alison Redford suspends campaign

http://www.660news.com/news/local/article/282196--redford-suspends-campaign-due-to-mother-s-illness

Not sure what that means apart from missing some events. Still running of course, but such a shame for her. (And of course her mother)

[devonb]

I listened to the PC debate while doing house work tonight. I have to say that I was most impressed with Redford. Although Mar sounded pretty good, he definitely sounds like a politician: putting spin on things and focusing on how they all agree on different points. He definitely down played the 2 tier health care position and taking his MLA pay when he said he wouldn't.

I think I may pick up a membership so that I can vote on Saturday.

[suburb]

I listened to the PC debate while doing house work tonight. I have to say that I was most impressed with Redford. Although Mar sounded pretty good, he definitely sounds like a politician: putting spin on things and focusing on how they all agree on different points. He definitely down played the 2 tier health care position and taking his MLA pay when he said he wouldn't.

I think I may pick up a membership so that I can vote on Saturday.

May not be a bad idea. Have a read of this!

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/09/28/bell-tax-spat-leads-to-mayors-slap

Nenshi says of Mar:
“If truly someone, who wants to be the premier of Alberta, has such a poor understanding of how cities and municipalities work then we’ve got a serious problem.”

[Innersoul1]

I listened to the PC debate while doing house work tonight. I have to say that I was most impressed with Redford. Although Mar sounded pretty good, he definitely sounds like a politician: putting spin on things and focusing on how they all agree on different points. He definitely down played the 2 tier health care position and taking his MLA pay when he said he wouldn't.

I think I may pick up a membership so that I can vote on Saturday.

Yeah Redford was solid especially given that her mother had just passed away. She was poised and assertive. But what impressed me most was her ability to speak so smoothly without any notes or papers. Her constant eye contact with the questioner and camera was engaging.

Overall, I didn`t find it to be a very solid debate. I would have thought that horner and Redford would have been more aggresive towards Mar. It was just really pleasant.

[artvandelay]

Went in and voted for Gary today. I'm hoping that Horner doesn't get in on another Southern Alberta vote split between Mar and Redford.

[PoscStudent]

Went in and voted for Gary today. I'm hoping that Horner doesn't get in on another Southern Alberta vote split between Mar and Redford.

I heard Horner's voice, I wouldn't want him as premier either.

[albertantraingeek]

If I was old enough, I'd vote for Mr. Redford.

[Wooster]

Neither Mar or Redford is going to get there with first choices. I think that favours Redford quite a bit. She reached out to Horner's supporters by saying he was her second choice.

I think it's Premier Redford at the end of the night, which would be quite incredible given how far back she was a mere two weeks ago.

[Innersoul1]

Loving this race! It's 12:37 AM and nothing has been announced yet. But it would it seems on the Twittersphere that Alison is going to win. Rutherford just announced that he is going to have her on his show at 9am on Monday.

Go Alison Go!

[earl69]

Walked out to my porch this morning to grab the Herald. Front page reads that Mar won :yuck: - logged in and was happy to hear that Redford took it! :notacrook:

[LFRENCH]

I think its been a interesting shift within the PC party, it feels very much like what is happening in BC. Gordon Campbell was very similar to the Stelmech government, while Clark came in on the idea of change/reform..

[Boris2k7]

Walked out to my porch this morning to grab the Herald. Front page reads that Mar won :yuck: - logged in and was happy to hear that Redford took it! :notacrook:

^ Why print media is increasingly irrelevant.

[WIGS]

Alison Redford FTW! :)

Had I purchased a PC membership, I would have voted for her.

[devonb]

Walked out to my porch this morning to grab the Herald. Front page reads that Mar won :yuck: - logged in and was happy to hear that Redford took it! :notacrook:

Interesting. Mine had Redford, but maybe they did a switch in the wee hours this morning.

[DizzyEdge]

Interesting. Mine had Redford, but maybe they did a switch in the wee hours this morning.

During the live chat on the Herald website one of the commentators mentioned that they were on their 3rd set of printing plates due to the changing results, so you might have just got a later set of prints.

[Radley77]

So pleased about Alison Redford's win!

[tmjr]

When does Ms. Redford become premier and not just premier-designate?

[5seconds]

When does Ms. Redford become premier and not just premier-designate?

No date yet. Though she wants it to take place before she leaves to talk in Washington (about the XL Pipeline, I think). Not sure when that is exactly.

[suburb]

Nice article in the Globe and Mail about Redford including Nenshi comments:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/nenshis-former-campaign-strategist-propels-another-underdog-into-office/article2188230/

[Ramsayfarian]

Nice article in the Globe and Mail about Redford including Nenshi comments:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/nenshis-former-campaign-strategist-propels-another-underdog-into-office/article2188230/

The Herald had a good one about the final days of the campaign.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Redford+long+road+historic+political+victory/5491755/story.html

[tmjr]

When does Ms. Redford become premier and not just premier-designate?



It's Friday... (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2011/10/04/edmonton-redford-sworn-in-friday.html)

Alison Redford will be sworn in Friday as Alberta's new premier.

Leadership rival Doug Horner will remain deputy premier, a position he held under Premier Ed Stelmach. Education Minister Dave Hancock will remain house leader.

Cabinet ministers will be sworn in Oct. 12.

Redford also announced that there will be a fall sitting of the Alberta legislature after all. The new session starts Oct. 24.

[freeweed]

Woman as Premier, Muslim as mayor.

Yup, I sure did move to the land of backwards old fashioned redneck hicks.

[WIGS]

Woman as Premier, Muslim as mayor.

Yup, I sure did move to the land of backwards old fashioned redneck hicks.

Enough outsiders (including myself) have moved here to finally dilute the redneck-ishness of the Province. woo hoo! :yes::tup:

[5seconds]

Woman as Premier, Muslim as mayor.

Yup, I sure did move to the land of backwards old fashioned redneck hicks.

:haha:

Enough outsiders (including myself) have moved here to finally dilute the redneck-ishness of the Province. woo hoo! :yes::tup:

Read this:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Corbella+Patronizing+Globe+Mail+headline+ignores+reality+Western+Canada/5497869/story.html

[freeweed]

Read this:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Corbella+Patronizing+Globe+Mail+headline+ignores+reality+Western+Canada/5497869/story.html

Bingo. Alberta's always been given a bit of a bad rap due to a vocal minority of idiots.

Hell, just today I saw a headline in the Metro (or whatever that annoying free paper is), describing Redford as a "46 year old married mother". Not in the story, in the freaking headline. I've never in my life seen a male politician described that way, so prominently. Yet every regular Albertan I've talked to isn't talking about her mommy status - we just want to see what this particular Premier can do.

[Ramsayfarian]

:haha:



Read this:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Corbella+Patronizing+Globe+Mail+headline+ignores+reality+Western+Canada/5497869/story.html

I can't believe that Corbella wrote an article that I not only agreed with but actually liked. Not sure we needed the giant head shot of her. Nice set of sandwich clamps she's got there.

[5seconds]

Luke Ouelette is out, and MLA Ray Danyluk, Lac La Biche-St. Paul is in as Transportation Minister.