“The real question is, Who will leash the monster before it destroys Alberta and, perhaps, Canada?”
Christian right
Economic liberalism
Right-wing populism
It’s the social credit party from the 1930s. Which was lead by Ernest Manning until 1970s. The question is do we have to wait 40 years for a new Peter Lougheed?
We actually had a “Peter Lougheed” and one who was a bit further to the RIGHT in fact than Lougheed and that was Rachel Notley. The problem was that she didn’t have a giant C beside her name, and she was not a white male.
Yes, Trump is a prototype--he is this century's take on Hitler--and he is a blueprint for fascist contagion throughout the world. Be vigilant! We have learned too late that extremism is a poison in democracy. When these bastards come into power they blow up the drawbridges behind them. DO NOT GIVE AN INCH TO TRUMP LOOKALIKES! They are parasites.
Thank you for this, Markham. It is the best description of the losses we have endured in Alberta. Loss of guardrails, loss of the rule of law. Loss of respect for democratic traditions. Loss of safety for Albertans. I feel demoralized.
I looked up the Alberta Hansard from October 27, 2025. Smith's government invoked the notwithstanding clause that day to pass back-to-work rules and end the teachers strike. It overrode Charter rights without waiting for courts. Opposition members called it a first in provincial history. You can read it here: https://docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_31/session_2/20251027_1930_01_han.pdf. MPs have flagged similar overrides in House committees. It leaves me wondering how far provinces can stretch federal protections before the whole system strains.
Always good Markham. What I found especially helpful and enlightening were the interviews - Paula Simons’ particularly resonated - perhaps because she understands Alberta so well. Also she “plain speaks” which I always appreciate.
Excellent column, Markham, as one always anticipates, but I still feel obliged to point out that IT’S NOT HER, IT’S THEM. The entire CPC, its TBA faction, and (frankly) the Progressive Tories who want to replace her with themselves are all pursuing the same goals. Replacing Premier Smith with anyone from any of those streams will not solve anything. Just as replacing Jason Kenney didn’t.
It took the US Dems a solid 6 months, mouths agape, to move beyond outrage and reactivism and start proactively engaging Trump. Many are still shit posting rather than ACTING. Will Canadians also take too long to realize that they are dealing with people who do not play by the rules? US judiciary has been the only reason the US is still standing.
iWhat bothers me, and what no one answers, not really, is what she sells that rural Alberta buys. She isn’t giving them a golden future. She is in oil corporate pockets, she is a “Calgary CEO lunch at the Petroleum Club” person. She’d never milk a cow if it was dying. I was born, (as was my mother) in Alberta, I know she’s full of as an Edmonton Journal oped writer put way back in my pre teen days “el toro poopoo”. So why is she so “popular” in Red Deer, Innisfail, Didsbury, Olds…what is she saying right and the opposition wrong?
Always love your work! I just wrote a piece on the political psychology behind this. Fiscal illusion, motivated reasoning, partisan attribution bias, and salience asymmetry. It's a strategy that is documented, works, and is used by Ford and Moe, and Trump. https://factsmtr.substack.com/p/getting-less-feeling-fine-why-governments?r=6maa5b
Outstanding column of considerable value for those who have been confounded by the likes of Danielle Smith and Donald Trump. It clearly describes our modern democratic malaise and points to a possible solution.
“The real question is, Who will leash the monster before it destroys Alberta and, perhaps, Canada?”
Christian right
Economic liberalism
Right-wing populism
It’s the social credit party from the 1930s. Which was lead by Ernest Manning until 1970s. The question is do we have to wait 40 years for a new Peter Lougheed?
We actually had a “Peter Lougheed” and one who was a bit further to the RIGHT in fact than Lougheed and that was Rachel Notley. The problem was that she didn’t have a giant C beside her name, and she was not a white male.
The clearest most knowledgeable explanation that I've read on this topic.
Thank you.
Agree.
No Hitler comparisons needed! Just a description of ungovernance in action. It’s kinda perfect
Yes, Trump is a prototype--he is this century's take on Hitler--and he is a blueprint for fascist contagion throughout the world. Be vigilant! We have learned too late that extremism is a poison in democracy. When these bastards come into power they blow up the drawbridges behind them. DO NOT GIVE AN INCH TO TRUMP LOOKALIKES! They are parasites.
Thank you for this, Markham. It is the best description of the losses we have endured in Alberta. Loss of guardrails, loss of the rule of law. Loss of respect for democratic traditions. Loss of safety for Albertans. I feel demoralized.
Absolutely. A trump lover and cruella writ large!
Yes
I looked up the Alberta Hansard from October 27, 2025. Smith's government invoked the notwithstanding clause that day to pass back-to-work rules and end the teachers strike. It overrode Charter rights without waiting for courts. Opposition members called it a first in provincial history. You can read it here: https://docs.assembly.ab.ca/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_31/session_2/20251027_1930_01_han.pdf. MPs have flagged similar overrides in House committees. It leaves me wondering how far provinces can stretch federal protections before the whole system strains.
Always good Markham. What I found especially helpful and enlightening were the interviews - Paula Simons’ particularly resonated - perhaps because she understands Alberta so well. Also she “plain speaks” which I always appreciate.
Excellent column, Markham, as one always anticipates, but I still feel obliged to point out that IT’S NOT HER, IT’S THEM. The entire CPC, its TBA faction, and (frankly) the Progressive Tories who want to replace her with themselves are all pursuing the same goals. Replacing Premier Smith with anyone from any of those streams will not solve anything. Just as replacing Jason Kenney didn’t.
Excellent Cole! Thank you! ☺️
It took the US Dems a solid 6 months, mouths agape, to move beyond outrage and reactivism and start proactively engaging Trump. Many are still shit posting rather than ACTING. Will Canadians also take too long to realize that they are dealing with people who do not play by the rules? US judiciary has been the only reason the US is still standing.
iWhat bothers me, and what no one answers, not really, is what she sells that rural Alberta buys. She isn’t giving them a golden future. She is in oil corporate pockets, she is a “Calgary CEO lunch at the Petroleum Club” person. She’d never milk a cow if it was dying. I was born, (as was my mother) in Alberta, I know she’s full of as an Edmonton Journal oped writer put way back in my pre teen days “el toro poopoo”. So why is she so “popular” in Red Deer, Innisfail, Didsbury, Olds…what is she saying right and the opposition wrong?
Autocratic. Full stop!
Now is the time of monsters
Always love your work! I just wrote a piece on the political psychology behind this. Fiscal illusion, motivated reasoning, partisan attribution bias, and salience asymmetry. It's a strategy that is documented, works, and is used by Ford and Moe, and Trump. https://factsmtr.substack.com/p/getting-less-feeling-fine-why-governments?r=6maa5b
Outstanding column of considerable value for those who have been confounded by the likes of Danielle Smith and Donald Trump. It clearly describes our modern democratic malaise and points to a possible solution.
Yep