With the federal election campaign now underway, rallies and other related activities will be taking part across Alberta and elsewhere in Canada in the days and weeks leading up to the Sept. 20 vote.
Of course every Canadian citizen has the right to attend those rallies and work for the candidates and party of his or her choice. Individual involvement in the political process is after all a key part of making democracy work, including at the federal level.
As such, residents here are encouraged to get involved by supporting candidates, parties and attending election-related events. As in the past, informed voters will play a vital role in this important federal campaign and election.
Yet whether Alberta elected officials, including Premier Jason Kenney, should be travelling across Canada in support of one of the federal political party campaigns is an open question.
During the 2019 campaign, Premier Kenney travelled outside the province in support of the Conservative Party campaign against the Justin Trudeau Liberals, attending rallies and speaking in support of Tory candidates and against candidates in other camps.
Now in 2021, with the province currently facing many serious challenges and problems, should Premier Kenney be doing anything other than addressing those Alberta concerns?
For example, with many positive COVID-19 cases continuing to be identified in the province every day, shouldn’t the premier be focused first and foremost on addressing the ongoing public health crisis? After all, the economic and health impacts of the pandemic continue to be felt in each and every community in Alberta.
As well, with the UCP government locked in a protracted and increasing bitter battle with health care workers, including nurses, Albertans need their provincial political leaders to make every effort to get things settled.
While the temptation to leave the province and join in the federal election campaign now underway may again be very tempting to Premier Kenney and other MLAs, they should remember there is more than enough to do right here at home.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
