“THANK YOU ALBERTANS! HELP IS ON THE WAY. HOPE IS ON THE HORIZON,” this is the message from Jason Kenney and the UCP after their election victory on April 16, 2019.

Alberta exited April 16, 2019, to a new political era. The orange cloud clears and makes way for the blue clouds which will hang over Alberta for the next fours years, represented by 63 UCP and 24 NDP Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

The UCP won 63 seats with visible minority candidates such as; Calgary-North East Rajan Sawhney, Calgary-East Peter Singh, Calgary-Edgemont Prasad Panda, Calgary-Falconridge Devinder Toor, Calgary-Foothills Jason Luan, Calgary-North Muhammad Yaseen, Calgary-Beddington Josephine Pon, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo Tany Yao, and Edmonton-South West Kaycee Madu.

The NDP won 24 seats with visible minority candidates such as, Calgary-Buffalo Joe Ceci, Edmonton-South Thomas Dang, Edmonton Meadows Jasvil Deol, Edmonton-Ellerslie Rod Loyola, Calgary McCall Irfan Sabir, and Edmonton-Centre David Shepherd.

In an election that has divided our communities into blue and orange halves, Premier Designate, Jason Kenney, will assume office on April 30, 2019, in a peaceful transition with the complete involvement of former Premier, Rachel Notley, who stays on as Opposition Leader of the NDP.

In a democratic process, whoever the majority chooses is the leader. Jason Kenney won the election on April 16, 2019, to the acceptance of all contestants in the election, including former Premier Rachel Notley. Even though the election is over, surprisingly, we still get angry messages and calls when we share things about Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley. Ladies and gentlemen, NDP and UCP community members, it’s wise to accept the outcome of the election and start preparing for 2023 coming up very fast. Let’s not be distracted by the election results and stay focused on holding any elected government on the issues that matter to us such as; chronic unemployment and under employment in our communities, lack of skilled jobs and opportunities to move forward, credential recognition, racism and discrimination, curriculum review in schools, immigration biases, childcare, student loan, homelessness, and many many more. As you already know, the UCP and NDP never went after your votes in the recent battle for the conservatives as you saw in the recent election and speeches made during the campaign.

We should not be attached to any political parties but stay very focused on our issues and support politicians who can champion these issues and seek solutions to help us and our children share in the Alberta economy.  Best case, we should nominate and vote people to champion our issues, that is the power we have. Who ever respects us enough, engages us, bring us to their fold, they carry the day, irrespective of what the narrative is. So far all the political parties still have serious work to do, the reason why the numbers at the polls are not that great as community members do not feel motivated to go out and vote – missed opportunity!

Incoming Premier Jason Kenney took four years to get to this level, building coalitions across the province, well some doubtful ones as well. He highlighted the challenges of the Notley-Government on jobs, pipelines, and the economy. His leadership journey leaves some question marks with un-answered questions inviting an RCMP investigation. When Premier Designate Kenney started his campaign to unite the conservatives, a very determined Kenney, a man with a vision, had a four-step process; first to become the leader of the PC, next unite the PC and Wildrose Parties, become the leader of the UCP, and head for the Premier’s Mansion. This, he did by aggressively going all over Alberta, rallying support, going into homes, communities, businesses, and what have you to share his message of jobs, pipelines, and the economy, with his trademark blue pickup truck. Today, he is Premier Jason Kenney.
 
The big question is, can he deliver on his promises in a period where oil and gas prices have stayed low, negatively impacting investments, jobs, and the economy? Does Mr. Kenney has a magic wand to wave and oil and gas prices go back up and make a quick fix for the struggling Alberta economy?
The point of interest for Premier Designate Kenney and the  UCP is that campaigning is different from governing. It takes a lot more in terms of manpower, resources, oil and gas prices, and even the strength of the opposition to implement campaign promises. He who rises with oil prices must be ready to fall when the prices come down. As a matter of history, he who basks in the lamplight of finding faults on others, must be ready for a funeral when it is twilight. Two options are possible going forward.
OPTION 1: Pipelines seems an easy fix for the struggling economy as all politicians told us in the campaign. When oil and gas prices are low, something that no Alberta politician has the power over, it will be difficult to attract investment in the oil and gas sector, as it will not be profitable for investors. Investment in other sectors takes more time. Building pipelines get more crude products to market but does not guarantee any increase in prices for these products. This is not sustainable, perhaps wasteful as the products can fetch more when prices go up. This is like ridiculously discounting your bed to pay for your heating bills due to a delay in your wages.
Investment in a low oil and gas economy might not lead to an increase in jobs and within four years, Albertans will have to choose again who can do the best job in building the economy – a new look reinvigorated NDP led by a formidable Rachel Notley who have learnt her lessons, with the support of all her new coalition partners better prepared to take on Premier Kenney and the UCP, battered and bruised by RCMP investigation, core members making inflammatory remarks, resignations of core members, floor crossings, persistent pressure from environmental groups, pressures of governing, former Wildrose members fighting back, and internal power wrestling within the UCP.
OPTION 2: If and only if oil and gas prices peaked, then Premier Kenney and the UCP are in for a ride all the way to the Alberta Legislation. Only time will tell.

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