By Spring, 2015, Alberta politics had reached a crucial juncture and, as it turned out, a monumental shift in the political landscape unfolded. Many political pundits recognized that there were going to be changes, but few really predicted the outcome of a provincial election even when many Albertans had openly expressed their disillusionment with the course of the economy and the seemingly endless stream of problems associated with the ruling party. Many members of the media and their legions of experts seemed to know the voters better than the voters knew themselves in the days leading up to the election. Select "media-dors" even continued to hold out hope in the closing hours of the election that the tide would return to its inevitable place before the night was over, just as it had in Alberta from Conservative time immemorial. In this vignette, AG expresses a unique perspective on the election as a committed partisan and student of politics since High School in Alberta, one who had even interned in Ottawa for a major Canadian political party years before entering in the provincial civil service.

Alberta Votes - End of a Dynasty?
6:59PM May 5, 2015 23°C Indoors/11°C Outdooors (and overcast for those heading out to cast their ballots after work)

Tonight is decision night in Alberta, with people wondering if there will be an end to the Dynasty. The Patriotic Elector sits on a book in front of the television screen as I await results and reminds me that voter turnout can speak as much as the volume of party affiliation and support. Until the polls close and results start coming in, the Media fills the television screen with shots of the Legislature Building (as seen here), polling stations, and enthusiastic voters, complete with no shortage of pundits offering wild speculation until the hard numbers are supposed to confirm what they supposedly already know and have repeated endlessly over the past few weeks. Like most Albertans, I am curious to see the outcome. This election is also different because I am watching from home instead of a campaign office or victory party (wake?), which is a bit different for me given my own involvement in politics. Even though voting for political junkies such as myself is almost always informed by a careful reading of platforms and substantive policy positions, our personal perceptions of the character of the leaders and candidates still can play a role at the ballot box. I have crossed paths with a couple of the current cast of characters and leaders before and I am really wondering how Albertans will determine the fate of one somewhat arrogant candidate I met in the past when I was still a political novice. On that occasion, the leader was far more interested and engrossed with a privileged, American-educated, Ivy-League student than paying a shred of attention to the rest of us during an encounter with a bunch of young and enthusiastic political minds in Ottawa.

Links:

Election Results

"NDP Wave Sweeps Province"

Ballot Box Behaviour

In this second installment, AG embarked on a journey with the Patriotic Elector, one familiar to many native Edmontonians during the Summer months. Northern Alberta lakes have been a place of respite and family vacation for generations, although increased population, a rise in "lake traffic", and the expansion of lake residences have led to some serious environmental consequences, including the disturbing appearance with greater frequency of "blue algae." Nevertheless, the trip reveals that AG was able to revisit childhood memories and reflect further on the the monumental Alberta election of 2015.

Memory Reeds and Proper Flooring
3:51PM July 2, 2015 27.9°C Outdoors

The Patriotic Elector sits on its perch overlooking a lake in Athabasca County. I have been coming to the cabin here since before I born, as my mother recalls. It is a great place to relax with a good book, a board game, a puzzle, or a round of bocce. While trips to “the lake” provide countless memories of days of childhood spent out here, many things have changed --some for the better (such as running water and actual bedroom doors instead of bed sheets), and some I could do without (like the television and the annual alerts for blue-green algae that now plague Alberta lakes with greater frequency). The seemingly timeless reeds in the lake that are visible in the background of this image of the Patriotic Elector on an Alberta break help mark memorable continuity and change. Before, the reeds used be cleared a bit for direct access to the water, and, as a result, we used to swim in the lake all of the time. Now, sadly, we are left to fill in the time as a very small effort towards clean the lake unfolds. There may not be swimming here like the days of summer’s past, but the a breeze off of the lake still provides great natural air conditioning at night, including after a hot day like today. Days spent out here will always mean taking an Alberta break to me, even if the plywood overlay with its masking tape hopscotch pattern found in the living room floor throughout my childhood has been replaced with new and improved “proper flooring”.

Links:

Blue Algae and Alberta Lakes

"The Swim Guide"

Links:

Remedy Cafe