Populist authoritarianism - this time in Alberta:
This Is ‘Kenneyism’How the unpopular premier’s recipe of intimidation, disinformation and sweeping new laws is transforming Alberta’s culture.
Taylor Lambert Today | TheTyee.ca
Taylor Lambert has written three non-fiction books about Alberta. He lives in Calgary. Find him on Twitter @ts_lambert.
Kenney’s authoritarian tactics aim to quash dissent and have targeted not just academia and unions but even art students.
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/01/17/This-Is-Kenneyism/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=011722-1&utm_campaign=editorial
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For decades, Alberta was often termed a virtual “one-party state,” so reliable was support for the Progressive Conservatives. But Kenney, whose polled support is low and keeps dropping, acts less like the premier of a natural ruling party and more like someone who thinks he needs to rig election rules to retain power.
Consider Bill 81, introduced last month, which the UCP government says “strengthens our electoral system” and “show[s] our commitment” to democracy. Who could argue with that?
In fact, the bill is so controversial that it caused debate in the legislature to run until nearly 3 a.m. and prompted three UCP MLAs to vote with the NDP against its passage.
The law appears to open the door for individuals to purchase memberships in a political party in bulk, even in the name of other people, even without their consent or knowledge. An effort by UCP MLA Dave Hanson to add seven words to the bill — “with the written consent of that person” — was filibustered by UCP cabinet members.
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