Who’s the premier here?

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on September 20, 2018.

While Jason Kenney’s trip to India could be problematic, it is certainly in keeping with how the United Conservative leader operates, and, apparently, is enough to draw out the New Democrats, who seem increasingly willing to counter-punch.

Kenney and two of his MLAs are in India this week on what they describe as a trip to drum up investment and promote the province.

It’s also the latest of many focused, diligent efforts to frame himself as the man in charge in Alberta, ready to hit the ground running after the next election.

The reaction from the governing New Democratic is also the latest move in an attempt to impugn his motives.

Such junkets aren’t uncommon for politicians eager to advertise themselves as well-connected, go-getters getting things done.

In the same way acting like a premier is a good way to get people thinking about you as premier.

Kenney’s basically been doing that for two years since entering provincial politics.

This week two cabinet ministers took issue.

Alberta Trade Minister Deron Bilous questioned the India trip saying Kenney doesn’t speak for the government and “damage control” could be required.

Also, Environment Minister Shannon Phillips says an apology is owed after Kenney told her hometown Lethbridge Herald that if he was premier police forces wouldn’t be “shrugging their shoulders” in response to the opioid epidemic. The implication is that cops have been on some sort of holiday under the NDP.

It’s long been the tactic of opposition parties to pose themselves as government in waiting. The more voters see them taking decisive action, the more likely the image becomes reality.

The problem is that there is very little decisive or substantial action that an opposition politician can take.

Kenney has spent years moving pieces into place ahead of the 2019 provincial election. He is possibly the most effective orator and most piercing critic on the political scene in Canada today.

He is a former federal cabinet minister, but as far as geopolitics and trade go, it’s doubtful the opposition MLA for Calgary-Lougheed can affect lentil tarrifs, or steer India away from Iranian oil and influence.

For the record, official delegations from Canada and Alberta have been to India three times in two years.

Representing governments overseas unofficially can be troublesome for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is possible conflicts of interest.

Last year, former Saskatchewan Economy Minister Bill Boyd resigned over trips to China.

No one is suggesting that there is some personal financial gain in play for Kenney. But political gain is certainly in play.

UCP officials state Kenney approached the trip with a “Team Alberta” mindset and NDP complaints are a “desperate attempt to distract from their disastrous record.”

That’s not what Kenney is saying in televised interviews in India while describing Alberta’s low tax regime, power prices and advantageous investment climate.

Bilous wonders why Kenney willing to play cheerleader overseas, but decry doom and gloom on the Alberta campaign trail. If he’s finding good business leads, why not pass those along to Alberta trade officials?

His supporters will likely shrug all of this off.

Most feel Alberta is a great place to do business, and believe it will be even greater when the conservatives are back in charge.

And in a suddenly upside down trade universe, shouldn’t it be all hands on deck?

In that same universe, however, we see the effect of negotiators and political factions working as free agents and at crossed purposes.

Premiers and governments have to be careful and measured in their speech and actions.

That’s a good start for anyone hoping to be premier.

(Collin Gallant is a News reporter. To comment on this and other editorials, go to https://www.medicinehatnews.com/opinions.)

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