As the Legislative Assembly of Alberta resumes session, we do so with an air of uncertainty and instability on the government side of the house. The uncertainty and instability arises from the sudden resignation of Premier Alison Redford.
So what’s next? Queue the opportunists! An opportunist is defined as one who takes advantage of any situation to achieve an end, usually with no regard for principles or consequences. If regard had been given to principles and consequences, those within the government caucus would have spoken up prior to the Premier’s resignation. This would most certainly qualify as a classic case of opportunism.
Those that will be seeking the Premier’s chair from within the governing party theoretically should have some explaining to do for what transpired under their previous leader, whom they willingly supported.
My Wildrose caucus colleague, MLA for Airdrie - Rob Anderson, describes what he feels is needed to clean up what exists within the governing party as “draining the swamp. Making sure Albertans understand the incompetence, corruption and scandal, is not about one person.” This indeed has certainly been a group effort.
The ethical minefield that developed from the close of the polls in the 2012 election has resulted in the entire government caucus being complicit in the actions of their former leader. Being silent on the obvious abuses translates to a breach of the responsibility an MLA is supposed to have to their constituents. It appears, with few exceptions, that concept is not a common belief amongst the government members.
Disregard for principals and consequences typically stems from the short-sighted ambitions of those who seek power and position. No organization is immune from these individuals that seek power and influence. Typically the ambition to seek special favour and influence is the catalyst for supporting those that act in an opportunistic fashion.
The present culture that thrives within the government of Alberta is by no means quarantined to their ranks; in fact it can exist within virtually any organization. As has been illustrated, the key ingredient to a successfully-run opportunistic atmosphere is cronyism, something that exists in virtually every area of our current government. Cronyism is the first logical step towards corruption; the two elements work hand-in-hand and seem to facilitate each other.
Alberta has suffered from the effects of out of control cronyism with special favours being the rule, rather than the exception. Politics attracts those that seek special favour and influence, the means to the end.
As the duly elected member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Drumheller Stettler, it is my responsibility to you, the tax payer, to ensure that opportunists that seek special favour are turned away at the door. In the end when it comes to cronyism, if you aren’t part of the solution, you are the problem.
FROM THE LEGISLATURE