Whose priorities

April 22, 2024 8:05 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's introduction of Bill 18 is ostensibly meant as a corrective against federal overreach. The bill is widely described by observers and critics as unnecessary. It will result in the addition of a layer of bureaucracy and oversight between federal monies and programs, and the Albertan municipalities and public institutions that stand to benefit.

Lethbridge Herald: "Phillips says Bill 18 more destructive than Sovereignty Act"

The Conversation: Alberta’s Bill 18: Who gets the most federal research funding? Danielle Smith might be surprised by what the data shows

The Globe and Mail: Danielle Smith’s Bill 18 is as cynical and nefarious as it gets

CBC Edmonton: Alberta bill requiring provincial approval of federal funding risks political meddling, academics say

Alberta Politics by David Climenhaga: Danielle Smith sets out to ensure the ideological purity of federally funded university research in Alberta

posted by elkevelvet (12 comments total)

On Power & Politics Friday, Premier Danielle Smith repeated her earlier claims that the federal government "uses its power through researchers to only fund certain types of opinions, certain types of researchers, and I don't think that's fair."

Danielle Smith and her ilk could very well be the future of Canada. This sucks.
posted by Kitteh at 8:25 AM on April 22 [12 favorites]

In June I'm moving to Alberta (to join my wife, who already has a job out there), which means in terms of provincial leadership I'm jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:40 AM on April 22

From left to right, Jordan Peterson, Premier Smith, Tucker Carlson and Conrad Black
There's no left in that left to right. The "Texas of the North" indeed.
posted by pracowity at 9:46 AM on April 22 [5 favorites]

I'm jumping from the frying pan into the fire

a veritable lake of fire

look, the province has its problems but a person can't give up hope. there is an NDP presence, and we can't discount legacies like the United Farmers of Alberta
posted by elkevelvet at 10:05 AM on April 22 [7 favorites]

If Naheed Nenshi takes the NDP leadership and becomes the leader of the Opposition, I'm going to invest all my savings in popcorn futures.
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 10:16 AM on April 22 [2 favorites]

Eventually something will stick on Danielle Smith and hopefully Nenshi will be waiting in the wings. It's so hard to tell what the breaking point will be, but her mouth will likely be the cause. If we can get rid of Kenney we definitely can get rid of Smith.
posted by furtive at 10:23 AM on April 22 [8 favorites]

The idea that the post-secondary sector is overrun with lefties in the same province that birthed the Calgary School is especially laughable.
posted by Kurichina at 10:39 AM on April 22 [12 favorites]

Kurichina: The idea that the post-secondary sector is overrun with lefties in the same province that birthed the Calgary School is especially laughable.

I owe a significant portion of my leftiness to academics at a little Alberta post-secondary institution, so don't knock 'em, lol.

(Though I wouldn't go looking for them in the petrochemical engineering or political science departments.)
posted by clawsoon at 11:18 AM on April 22 [4 favorites]

Ugh these people. Constantly playing a victim card from a place of power.

The problem of course is reality has a liberal bias. If you are a teaching a facts based curriculum it's going to appear leftist to the right. Especially a right completely divorced from reality on climate change.
posted by Mitheral at 12:51 PM on April 22 [10 favorites]

The concern for equal representation is, of course, never voiced when the right-wing dominates any medium. The people who complain about participation trophies have no problem demanding their own.
posted by Dark Messiah at 9:44 AM on April 23 [4 favorites]

From left to right, Jordan Peterson, Premier Smith, Tucker Carlson and Conrad Black

uh, some of the shittiest people in the world
posted by ovvl at 5:35 PM on April 23

Constantly playing a victim card from a place of power.

Nailed it.

There was a good meme on Bsky yesterday that seems to cover the Alberta situation.
posted by sneebler at 12:09 PM on April 28