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Alberta's future could be decided in federal election

Well spring has not sprung but we do have a federal election happening that will surely warm things up. I did manage to catch an hour of the leaders’ debate, and all-in-all it’s the same old same old.

Well spring has not sprung but we do have a federal election happening that will surely warm things up.

I did manage to catch an hour of the leaders’ debate, and all-in-all it’s the same old same old. The Jack Layton comedy hour, a separatist from Quebec debating national issues, a Liberal leader who nobody likes, and a Prime Minister in defence mode as the other three try to gang up on him. It’s the underlying issues and gamesmanship that makes this election interesting.

The natural governing party or the Liberals have had their struggles over the last years, they have never recovered from the Chretien/Martin internal war. I find it curious Michael Ignatieff has chosen Paul Martin and Jean Chretien to help him campaign across the country. Of course not at the same time, now that would be a real sign Iggy could unite the Grits. Of course, we know he can’t as his own approval numbers within the party are dismal, and young Justin Trudeau is getting ready to resurrect his daddy’s legacy.

I will also give the Conservatives credit, they have done a real job on making Ignatieff look like a complete opportunist who really doesn’t care about Canada just himself.

Then we have Jack Layton. Jack, I have to say, keeps things light. His socialist policies are so over the top I have a hard time listening to him. He has, however, brought the NDP back to near record numbers of seats, and I will say he has done that single handily. Of course conservatives like me would never agree with nary a word uttered from Layton, but the guy is a decent politician and he reaches beyond his natural base — the numbers speak volumes. I have to admit I had a few laughs from him in the debates as he is quick on his feet. It does appear this will be his last run as leader and he will be missed on the federal scene whether you agree with Jack or not.

I can’t even comment on the Green Party. I figured a few years ago they had a shot at a decent future, as good as Layton has been for the NDP, Elizabeth May has been the opposite for this group. I can comment on the Bloc Québécois, I am one of those who cannot fathom how we have a separatist party in our national government chambers. I also am at complete odds that they would be allowed to debate on Canada’s future as they want nothing to do with that, it really is the theatre of the bizarre.

Stephen Harper and his Conservatives have been in a minority situation for five years now, this is really quite a feat in itself. The really impressive thing is that they have maximized their chances to get their policy into law in most cases. We all can say what we want but the fact Canada and its economy is one of the tops in the G-8 rests squarely on the shoulders of Harper, Flaherty, and our own Ted Menzies.

The hidden agenda, scary talk is far into the rear view mirror now. The idea of being mired in a minority situation doesn’t do the country any good besides the constant election cycle; the strength of a majority mandate is needed. I think the Conservatives have done enough in the last few years to warrant the chance.

What I do worry about is the real threat that the coalition will try to govern if Harper fails to win a majority. I don’t even want to upset you with the idea separatists will be governing Alberta, or the NDP for that matter. The real scary hidden agenda this time is there is a real possibility the Governor General may give these people a chance to govern Canada. Do I think it will last long? I don’t for a minute think it will, but can you imagine the damage these guys could do to Alberta in the short term?

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