Alberta’s Loyalty Shifting To Become Its Own Liability

PREFACE: This is a rare political post and rest assured, dear readers, that it will be the exception and not the rule on here, as I much prefer talking about life and keep it light. But under the current situation in Canada, I felt that it was necessary and timely, before what is perhaps the most important election in our lifetime. But before we start, allow me to state two important things:

This is in no way geared towards putting down Conservative supporters, but rather to reach out to them and, hopefully, help them understand.
I’m not a Liberal. I have voted for just about every major party in my life, based on their platform at any given time.

Hardcore Conservatives from Alberta and to a lesser extent Saskatchewan don’t seem to realize they’re stuck in a cycle that only fuels their own frustration. It’s a self-perpetuating loop that won’t break until they stop pointing fingers and start facing a hard truth.

Many in these provinces feel abandoned by the Liberals, NDP, and other parties, especially when it comes to their concerns around oil, agriculture, and economic fairness. But here’s the reality: those parties have no political incentive to cater to you. Why? Because you’ve made it abundantly clear that you won’t vote for them, no matter what they offer.

Wait… what?

Yes, it feels unfair. Yes, it looks like Quebec gets all the attention. And yes, that builds resentment in Alberta. But here’s the part that’s often missed: Quebec listens. Quebec votes based on platforms. Quebec changes direction when it doesn’t like what it sees.

That’s why parties campaign there. That’s why they try to win Quebec over. Not because they love them more, but because Quebec plays the political game like adults. They engage. They participate. They hold parties accountable and they switch votes when needed.

Ask yourself: when was the last time Alberta did that?

Back when Harper first ran, Quebec gave him a shot, switching from the Bloc Quebécois. But when he veered too far right and failed to deliver, Quebec pivoted, first to Jack Layton (RIP), then to Trudeau, seeking a leader who reflected their values and addressed their concerns, rejecting Sheer and O’Toole who continued their far right approach.

Meanwhile, in Alberta, it hasn’t mattered what the platform is, who the leader is, or what direction the country needs. It’s always Conservative blue… every time, no matter what. And that predictability is precisely why other parties don’t even try anymore.

They know you won’t listen.

You’ll repeat slogans, embrace attacks on the Liberals regardless of truth, and reject anyone outside your ideological comfort zone. You won’t differentiate between Trudeau and someone like Mark Carney, a centrist, fiscally responsible candidate whom Stephen Harper himself praised for his work and even offered a cabinet post as Finance Minister in 2015. You’ll dismiss him as “just another Liberal” because the party label alone is enough to shut you down.

But here’s the kicker: if party labels were removed and you simply compared platforms, many of you would pick Carney’s. His experience is unparalleled. Harper, Jim Flaherty (even Conservative insiders) acknowledged his brilliance during the 2008 financial crisis and recommended him for the Order of Canada, a pin he wore during the recent debate. But somehow, those blinders stay on.

Quebec doesn’t do that. They stay informed. They remain flexible. And as a result, their voice is heard.

So here’s the uncomfortable question: Why does Alberta keep sabotaging itself politically? Is it pride? Is it victimhood? A desire to be “different”? Or do you just enjoy the pain? Because playing the victim while refusing to adapt doesn’t make you look strong; it makes you look stubborn.. and out of touch.

During the last Conservative leadership race, you had a chance to choose a thoughtful, experienced leader in Jean Charest, someone who could appeal to all Canadians, not just the party’s Western base. But Harper and party insiders crushed his campaign and gave their support to Pierre Poilievre. Why? Because Charest is too experienced to be controlled. More centrist, he wasn’t far-right enough, wasn’t loud enough, wasn’t divisive enough. And now you have a leader who thrives on slogans and spectacle instead of substance, not appealing to Eastern needs.

Let’s be real: if Charest had won, the Conservatives would likely be leading the polls today and would not have surrendered a 25 points lead in the same polls. Heck, Carney might not have even entered politics if Charest were on the scene. He even recently recruited Charest as a key member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations, recognizing his intelligence and experience.

That’s the kind of mutual respect serious leaders have. And it’s exactly what’s missing in Alberta politics right now.

So if you truly want change, you need to stop digging in your heels and start doing what other provinces do. Listen, reflect, and hold politicians accountable regardless of party. Thankfully, some Conservative voters are beginning to do just that. But too many of you are still clinging to outdated beliefs and blaming everyone else for your own discontent.

This idea that “it’s been 10 years of Liberals” and nothing has changed? That’s not an argument, it’s a deflection. Carney is not Trudeau, something that is clear to anyone willing to look and listen. And while some staff may carry over, the leader sets the direction. Always.

Let’s put this in hockey terms, something we all understand as Canadians. A couple of seasons ago, the Edmonton Oilers were going nowhere. They fired Jay Woodcroft and brought in Kris Knoblauch. Same players, different leadership. Suddenly, they were Stanley Cup finalists. This season, the St. Louis Blues fired Drew Bannister and hired Jim Montgomery. They went from an underperforming team to being one of the hottest teams since the change. Again, same players. Why? Because leadership matters. Strategy matters. Direction matters.

Carney isn’t just a smart leader. He’s one of the most well respected economists in the world. His crisis management skills, proven in the 2008 meltdown and the Brexit crisis in the UK (which he warned them against), are being applied again today.

Despite what the Conservative narrative suggests, America’s current hostility towards Canada isn’t because of Justin Trudeau. If Trump’s aggression were aimed solely at our country, I’d be the first to admit Trudeau might be the problem. But Trump has been picking fights with the entire world. And no, despite what some in Alberta might claim, it wasn’t Danielle Smith who made him back down. The real credit goes to Carney.

Rather than playing into Trump’s game and showing up hat in hand, Carney took a different path: he visited France and the UK, then traveled to Nunavut to meet Premier P.J. Akeeagok about defense and resource development. He later coordinated with Australia on a joint defense initiative. Trump saw all of it. And when Carney told the media there’d be no talks while the 51st state rhetoric continued (and until the U.S. President showed respect for Canada’s sovereignty) it sent a message Trump couldn’t ignore. The Prime Minister built international alliances, met with global leaders, and strengthened Canada’s position without selling out its sovereignty.

Finally, as several countries begin gradually reducing their holdings of U.S. Treasury bonds, Canada hasn’t explicitly followed suit but it has issued a U.S. dollar bond to strengthen its foreign exchange reserves. Make no mistake: this kind of strategic international financial positioning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It reflects the steady hand and global expertise of someone like Mark Carney. It’s the kind of move that requires deep international experience, something far beyond the reach of a career built on slogans rather than substance.

This is real leadership. Not posturing, not chest-thumping, but intelligent, calculated moves on the world stage.

So Alberta, Saskatchewan, if you want to break this cycle of frustration, you need to do something uncomfortable: look in the mirror. Ask if this political loyalty has helped or hurt you. Ask if maybe, just maybe, it’s time to make the parties work for your vote rather than giving it away for free. Is it remotely possible that the “10 years of Liberals” are, in part at least, your own doing?

And if you’re thinking of separation, remember this: it’s the same thing you condemned Quebec for decades ago. Don’t be hypocrites. Be better. Send your party a message: Get them to earn and work for your support. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll get more out of the deal. Evolve or lose relevance.

That’s the only way you’ll get attention from the rest of the country. That’s the only way things will change. Because if you don’t, if you continue down this path, the only ones you’ll have to blame are yourselves.