City Notebook: Poilievre’s message resonates, but what exactly does he mean by it?

By COLLIN GALLANT on April 16, 2022.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Last week, this column spent a little time describing the home affordability issue an unsolvable problem, or more to the point, a problem no one wants to solve.

This week, it’s still a more popular topic than the weather, despite a spring snow storm.

Before the snow however, Pierre Poilievre blew into town.

The federal Conservative leadership candidate has made it his mantra that the out-of-control real estate market is failing regular folks.

It’s a message that resonates, and Poilievre is a compelling speaker – he had 600 people eating out of his hand at the Cypress Centre on Monday.

Obviously, he’s a thinker, and came off way more likeable than in his sparring sessions in the Commons or barb-laden social media messages.

He’s likely already locked up the western wing of the party, which is likely more than half the battle to win leadership.

But for the general public to listen also requires some mental gymnastics.

His slogan is “take back control,” which is a direct rip off the Brexit campaign in the U.K., and to which a lot of so-called frustrated and forgotten voters responded.

But, there’s a lot of little things that don’t fit.

On housing prices, he says, it’s not the fault of investors, or land developers, or construction companies – who, by the way, packed the hall in Medicine Hat and cheered wildly as Poilievre insinuated they were leaders of a crooked, unjust industry.

The real culprits, he said, were bureaucrats, environmentalists and nimby-pampy local politicians who don’t like the suburbs.

And don’t forget bankers, who are not a traditional target of the Conservative Party of Canada.

It’s also the fault of the Liberal government, which conservatives enjoy hearing, he said. The Bank of Canada’s job is to keep interest rates at a point to fight inflation.

Whether its too high or too low is a point of debate, of course, and folks who were mad it was too low on Monday, are probably also mad it rose this week.

Quotables

Independent MLA Drew Barnes on his plans for the 2023 provincial election:

“I have a lot of energy and ability to keep working hard for Cypress-Medicine Hat,” The former UCP MLA told the News. “I’m weighing my options, but I will not run for the UCP under Jason Kenney’s leadership.” (The feeling is likely mutual.)

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek on a parade of speakers at Thursday’s announcement of provincial and federal government’s agreement on transit grants:

“As the fifth politician to speak, I’ll keep it brief,” she said.

There were several others afterward, but the lead-up included comments from Kenney, Transport Minister Rajan Sawhney, new MP and former Calgary city councillor George Chahal and former TV host and now minister for Women & Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien.

Pierre Poilievre on how he was invited to speak in Medicine Hat this week by local MP Glen Motz:

“Glen asked me if I support free speech, and I said yes. He replied, ‘How would you like to give one,'” the federal party leadership candidate told a crowd of 600 local conservatives who each paid $200 for a ticket.

Those proceeds go to the local riding association, and the napkin math shows a take in the high five-digit territory.

Retirements

A couple handshakes were given out this week:

Sam Ferrier, president of the major union at the City of Medicine Hat CUPE 46, is off to pasture, ending a second stint after accepting an early retirement package. (Jason Fenske takes over, ahead of bargaining in 2022).

Marco Jansen, a council candidate last fall and now member of the police commission, will soon spend his last day in the control tower at Medicine Hat Regional Airport after 31 years with contracted provider NAV Canada.

A look ahead

City council meets Monday to finalize 2022 property tax rates and receive the 2021 annual financial statements.

The Alberta legislature returns to the spring sitting after a two-week break. The House of Commons is back at it April 25.

Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. Reach him at 403-528-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com