federally-funded, provincially-paid #UAlberta political scientist | Black Faculty Collective | lead @cgroundpolitics
Jun 2 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
In democracies like the US & Alberta, we are witnessing a struggle to define "political culture," that set of norms & values that define what it's acceptable to say, do, or think in politics.
There are more than two sides to these struggles.
On one side are those who seek to roll back democratic norms to the 1950s (or earlier). They want to restrict rights, dismantle checks on government power that have been built ober the past 7 decades, and rule behind closed doors.
May 27 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
To my conservative friends: It's okay to speak out against this UCP government. Many of us have supported conservative parties all our lives. We're scared of losing face, friends, or respect. This is bigger than us and bigger than party, though.
Conservatives respect voters' intent, local autonomy, the rule of law, limited government, incrementalism (not radicalism), timeworn institutions, Confederation, and -- above all -- stability.
The UCP represents the antithesis of these values. It's okay to acknowledge that.
May 10 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
Albertans have sensed that their politics have become increasingly polarized over the last decade.
That polarization is linked to the democratic backsliding we're witnessing today.
Here's how. +
When I say Albertans sense polarization, I'm choosing words carefully.
Surveys show little evidence of ideological polarization, or even many policy divisions, among Albertans.
Rather, Albertans see themselves as divided which manifests itself in an "us vs. them" mentality. +
May 7 • 14 tweets • 4 min read
When it comes to imposing voter ID laws on Alberta, Bill 20 is motivated by FEELINGS, not facts.
Let me explain. 🧵
1️⃣ It *FEELS* like it should be easy enough for every Albertan to get photo ID.
UNTIL you talk to folks who've tried to help others without it.
First, the new law must designate who has final authority over federal-municipal agreements. It might be the minister of municipal affairs, or it could be added to the responsibilities of the IGR unit of Executive Council. I worked in the latter for 6 years under 5 premiers... +
Nov 6, 2023 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
Take Back Alberta folks are fond of telling city slickers and experts they need to spend more time in rural areas.
As someone who grew up in a small town and whose research team spends a lot of time outside the cities... I don't disagree.
There are a lot of misconceptions.+
The regressive resolutions passed at this weekend's UCP AGM demonstrate that the reverse is true in equal measure.
Whether it's denigration or fear of "the other," the source is the same: mistrust and misunderstanding. +
Oct 1, 2023 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
What are some of the worst arguments you've heard in favour of abandoning the CPP in favour of an Alberta Pension Plan?
I'm looking for ones that are both pervasive and that have the illusion of being persuasive.
Let me give some examples to start us off. +
"Alberta pays more into the CPP than we get back."
Reality: Alberta (as a province or government) doesn't pay into CPP or receive anything in return. Alberta residents and businesses do.
Mar 30, 2023 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
More than any other 10 minutes in her premiership, Danielle Smith's call with Artur Pawlowski makes it clear she is unfit for office.
Here are 5 reasons why. +
1) She took the call in the first place.
Smith admits she knew, if not admired, Pawlowski for his activist record. This includes, among other things, hate speech, homophobia, transphobia, and separatism.
He was also a charged man with a court case pending. +
Dec 3, 2022 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
A lot of folks seem confused or disinterested about the dire effects of Danielle Smith’s Sovereignty Act on democracy in Alberta.
The constitution can be boring and tough to understand, so let’s try some analogies. +
There are 3 core problems embedded in Smith’s Sovereignty Act:
1️⃣ Cabinet shouldn’t do the legislature’s job.
2️⃣ Cabinet shouldn’t do the courts’ job.
3️⃣ No one should be compelled to break the law. +
Nov 30, 2022 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
The reactions from cabinet ministers in this piece are worrisome. +
Former UCP leadership contenders who opposed the bill just weeks ago are now on board. Jean says it's constitutional (ironic and scary, since the bill empowers him and the other 3 dozen UCP cabinet ministers to pass the same judgment on federal laws). +
Nov 30, 2022 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
Jason Kenney resigned yesterday. In his letter, he bemoaned the denigration of parliamentary institutions and political civility, pinning the blame on "the left" and "the far right". It was a sadly ironic way to end his stint in Alberta politics. +
Kenney had spent the past five years polarizing Alberta politics along several lines. He pitted private versus public sector workers. +
By my count, the UCP's Sovereignty Act is liable to be struck down as unconstitutional on at least three grounds: +
1) It allows cabinet to amend provincial legislation without the legislature voting on those measures. It's the second time the UCP has tried this endrun around the principle of responsible government. +
Oct 13, 2022 • 14 tweets • 4 min read
Populists like Danielle Smith succeed when they are able to do three things: 1) convince a dominant group they are being marginalized 2) convince that group they are in "the silent majority" 3) convince the public that the group is both a victim and too dominant to challenge.+
The 1st step involves persuading folks that they are being "left behind" by forces beyond their control. The populist conjures up a group of enemies that only they can defeat -- just menacing enough to be scary, just nebulous enough never to vanquish.+ calgaryherald.com/opinion/column…
Alright. Since Edmonton City Council is sticking its neck out for active transportation (including bike lanes) I'm making a commitment to commute responsibly this entire year. +
Some stats: I live approx. 6km from work. I have a home office and an employer who requires me to be "in the office" 2 days per week (to teach). If I go into the office more than that, it's by choice. I love my colleagues. I'm lucky. Very lucky.+
Sep 28, 2022 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
A fine piece from @ericadams99 ahead of our panel on the Sovereignty Act next week.
Building on his thoughts: setting the courts up to thwart Smith's designs is all part of the strategy: to delegitimize our democratic institutions.+
Our 7 year-old wanted to attend today's committee meeting on @DShepYEG's private member's bill, The Anti-Racism Act (Bill 204). So I took her. Here are her random reactions. 🧵#ableg
[Here's some background on the bill👇. Keep in mind: she's 7, and I had never once spoken to her about race-based data before the hearing.
I scribbled her whispered comments as the hearing went on, and a few as we drove to her Kid Ninja class. This is pretty close to verbatim.]
Feb 19, 2022 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
In many ways, the convoy & occupations are as much a rejection of Conservatism as they are of Liberalism. Let me explain.+
A lot of convoyeurs have given up on the Conservative Party of Canada (and populist provincial parties like the UCP) as a vehicle for their dissent. They'd rather take to the roads & streets than organize for those parties.+
Feb 19, 2022 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
It's disturbing to see so many CPC MPs supporting the occupation of the nation's capital. Beyond the immorality, their divisive political strategy is sadly misguided. +
