We’ve kicked off Artur Pawlowski’s press conference with a speech from a guy who is being extremely homophobic and espousing a bunch of non sense conspiracy theories about COVID vaccines and other things. There are counter protesters yelling. It’s a circus. #ableg Can’t remember what this guy said his name is, but I think he’s also a pastor and he began this thing with a prayer. We’re on the steps of the legislature in Edmonton, by the way.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is speaking to reporters after her house leader suggested her cornerstone pledge of protecting unvaccinated people under the Alberta Human Rights Act would not be coming down in this upcoming legislative session. #ableg But first, she and her ministers are talking about affordability measures (the issue that the government house leader is top of mind for the government in lieu of any human rights changes)

Minister Jeremy Nixon says he's long been an advocate of indexing AISH to inflation.

Good morning! I am at the UCP AGM in Edmonton today where Premier @ABDanielleSmith will deliver a speech at 1pm MST. She will then speak with reporters afterward at 2pm, we've been told. #ableg @ABDanielleSmith Travis Toews and Brian Jean are introducing @ABDanielleSmith now at the AGM.

Toews says the process was a good. But - "I'm glad that process is over," jokes Toews.

"I didn't get involved in politics to spend my summers arguing with @BrianJeanAB."

Premier Danielle Smith on an internet livestream is discussing her cabinet choices.

Smith says she wants UCP members to meet the new cabinet before they're sworn in next Monday. She calls this cabinet her "election cabinet."

"It's a bit awkward," she says. #ableg The UCP's annual general meeting is happening in Edmonton this weekend.

Jason Kenney is at a presser in Calgary right now. I'm sure there'll be many Q's for the premier about the leaked comments reported on by Global and CBC where Kenney said "I don't need this job" and "The lunatics are trying to take over the asylum," meaning, his party. #ableg First Q is about the recording and specifically about the above quote.

Kenney says embraces leadership review vote. People have been frustrated, he says. "I welcome that." A lot of mainstream cons are frustrated but "I am seeing a growing number of voices from.. far margins."

Bunch of disgruntled folks on steps of the Alberta legislature right now. MLAs include Ind. Drew Barnes and Todd Loewen as well as UCP MLAs Angela Pitt, Peter Guthrie, Dave Hanson and Jason Stephan.

They’re joining UCP CAs angry over changes to the leadership review. #ableg UCP MLA Richard Gotfried just joined too.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is addressing media in Calgary momentarily. He'll address the global price collapse for oil amid growing concerns around COVID-19 outbreaks. #yeg #ableg Kenney says he'll speak on COVID-19 first, because it's the most important issue facing Alberta. The 7 total cases involve cruise ship trips, he says. These people are in isolation. #ableg

War Room announcement is imminent! Jason Kenney, Sonya Savage and Tom Olsen, a former UCP candidate and the CEC's (war room) leader will be officially rolling out the initiative. It's aim: combat alleged misinformation about Alberta's energy industry. #ableg #abpoli The announcement is at SAIT in Calgary (the city for war room HQ). There's a bunch of people in hard hats and safety glasses standing up at the podium. For the record, I am not there. But @nadineyousif_ is on the story today so watch out for that. #ableg

I've successfully made it to Sunday. Almost. We're just waiting for this "bear pit" session to start. It doesn't involve any real bears that I'm aware of. But basically people from the floor can give ministers and Kenney a piece of their minds as they are on a stage. #ableg They want people to keep it to questions and not statements. Premier Jason Kenney is taking the stage and receives a standing ovation. There's maaayyybe 800 or 900 people here today. #ableg

Morning! I'm back at the UCP AGM this morning listening to some governance policies for the party. Up for discussion now: things dealing with inter-party regulations. There's going to be some protests here today as well, hearing it'll be in an hour or so. #ableg #abpoli They'll get past these special resolutions pretty soon and get on to actual party policies. #ableg #abpoli

Now I’m over at the Alberta Teachers Association where they’ll be addressing some issues in the @Alberta_UCP education platform. #ableg #abvote Greg Jeffery will be addressing the media. He’s president of the ATA. They learned this morning that @jkenney brought up removing principals from the ATA and they’ll be addressing that. #ableg #abvote

1/ THREAD:

My @TorontoStar colleagues have asked me to detail an evolving Alberta politics story I and my Calgary co-worker @TSHowell have been digging into since December, and it’s quite the odyssey, so strap in for like, 16 tweets.

#ableg #cdnpoli 2/ Alberta is at the brink of a pivotal election set to be held sometime in April or May. The brand-new United Conservative Party, led by former federal minister Jason Kenney, will square off with the NDP and Premier Rachel Notley. The UCP is way ahead in early polls.

Thread

I feel the need to address one aspect of The Rebel Media’s recent video which allegedly “exposes” the two NDP MLAs who were involved in sexual misconduct investigations. The facts are extremely distorted in this video. #ableg #abpoli 1/5

https://twitter.com/3conomic/status/1095770167932465152

Aside from my many issues with this coverage - having read the court file, there is no indication an “affair” took place between Deron Bilous and Heather Sweet. Bilous’ wife was absolutely fine with this casual relationship that took place while the couple were not together. 2/5