The Chinese have an old saying about politics: “May we not be cursed to live in interesting times.” Obviously wishing for quiet, staid communities, where little, good or bad, occurs, is easier on the nerves.
Such was certainly not the case in the Alberta provincial political scene in 2014. The legislature, and the politicians populating it, were very interesting.
Former city alderman and MLA Ken Allred, also a columnist for the St. Albert Gazette, has unique insight into the trials and tribulations of former Premier Alison Redford. He served in her caucus for a brief period before he left provincial politics in 2012. He also had much to say about other local provincial politicians, and the new leader of Alberta, Jim Prentice.
Premier Redford
Allred said he was taken aback by the former premier’s exit last spring.
“I guess it was a bit of a surprise the way it happened,” said Allred at the Gazette office Wednesday. “Personally, I never thought she had an awful lot of support.”
Allred said one instance in caucus, was when the bill that would have introduced penalties for driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 didn’t go over very well among PC MLAs. The bill proposed licence suspensions, and Allred said some MLAs were concerned about the serious penalties with the accused not having any recourse.
“Her resignation was and wasn’t a surprise,” he said. “The whole thing that led up to it was a bit of a surprise. It disappointed me, more than surprised.”
Allred said he was concerned, for example, about the penthouse suite the premier had in motion, and specifically the secrecy surrounding it. Allred said the idea had some merit but suffered from the fact there was no discussion about the idea.
He said he was equally concerned there are still questionable revelations coming out. For example, the use of government airplanes is an accepted part of being an MLA, noted Allred.
Allred said the premier’s office booking an entire flight, then apparently cancelling most of the seats later was harmful to other MLAs. He said it’s likely other MLAs had work that could have been accommodated by taking those flights, but because the premier reserved them, the MLAs would’ve been forced to other perhaps more time consuming alternatives.
“It’s totally inappropriate to be blocking the planes where people with legitimate needs can’t use them,” said Allred.
However, he said the premier taking her daughter with her on trips should have been handled differently. Allred said it’s fine to take spouses on government business because it’s socially acceptable, adding taking children along is also OK if it’s only once in a while.
“I’ve got no problem with senior ministers taking their spouses,” he said. However, Allred point out Redford’s daughter’s friend was on a flight.
Premier Prentice
Allred said he’s more than familiar with the new premier, Jim Prentice.
“I’ve known Jim Prentice for maybe 20 years,” he said. “I was very impressed with him.”
Allred said he worked with Prentice on a MĂ©tis tribunal, and the new premier, who gave himself the job of Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, is considered by many to be an expert on aboriginal issues. Prentice also spent time in the federal aboriginal portfolio when he was an MP under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“He’s a very smart man,” said Allred of the new premier. “He really focuses on the issues. He’s really hitting the key issues.”
Allred said he was already happy with the decision the new premier made on proposed changes to vehicle licence plates. Allred said he didn’t see any reason why a website address needs to be on a licence plate, and simpler solutions such as a microchip in the current plate would be as effective as a complete redesign.
Also, Allred said putting the brakes on certain hospital closures was also a smart move. He pointed out it’s fiscally sound to put long term care patients in the proper facility, because if they use beds in a regular hospital the cost skyrockets.
Leadership race
Allred said he watched the leadership race with interest and applauded Thomas Lukaszuk’s candidacy.
“I was very pleased to see Lukaszuk throw his hat in the ring just to have an Edmonton candidate,” he said.
Allred said Lukaszuk always seemed like an intense MLA, the one guy in the caucus who is always heckling the opposition.
Unelected cabinet members
The former MLA said he didn’t necessarily have a problem with two senior members of Premier Prentice’s cabinet who aren’t elected MLAs – Stephen Mandel and Gordon Dirks.
“I guess I don’t have a lot of problem with it,” he said. Allred pointed out Prentice was going to select who he thought were the best candidates. “Maybe he didn’t have enough people in the caucus,” added Allred.
Allred said critics should give Dirks a break. Someone coming from outside the legislature will have a clearer picture and should be given a chance to prove himself before he’s attacked. However, Allred didn’t seem as enamoured of Mandel.
“I’m certainly not a big fan of Stephen Mandel,’ said Allred. “He certainly knows how to spend money.”
Allred said the controversial way in which a new NHL arena was handled in Edmonton didn’t inspire confidence in him.
MLA Doug Horner
Former Finance Minister Doug Horner, now an adviser to the premier, is someone Allred said was decent to work with. “I got along pretty good with Doug,” said Allred. “I think he is very competent.”
Allred noted he didn’t support Horner in a previous leadership race, but rather supported Ed Stelmach, whom he described as “too honest. Maybe that’s the trouble with Doug too. He’s too honest.”
Although Horner lost a high-profile ministry, Allred said the St. Albert area shouldn’t feel like it’s losing prestige. MLA Stephen Khan, Allred’s successor, is now minister of Service Alberta and Colleen Kubinec is head of tourism, while nearby Jeff Johnson is minister of seniors, making this region well represented in the provincial government. He added Horner’s new job as an adviser to Prentice shows the premier trusts him.
“I think we’re pretty well served,” added Allred.
