I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I’d suggest that Alberta is not what you might think.
Here in the Bible Belt of southern Alberta, where “diversity” means that we have both Mormons and Fundamentalists, things aren’t much different from what I’ve found elsewhere. Many liquor stores, places open Sundays, bars, strip clubs (well, one in Lethbridge anyway),and other vices that are not popular with the religious. We don’t have a Gay Pride parade, but the local LGBT community (yes, we have one, complete with married gay couples) does have a rally at City Hall annually. As far as I am aware, the local hospital has never been picketed for doing abortions. In short, we’re not Bible-totin’, preachin’ hell-and-damnation, lurch the country to the far right in the name of Jesus, types; most people around here have little interest in that. In fact, I think it is safe to say that most Albertans are not like that, contrary to the way we are often portrayed elsewhere.
The big issue, as I see things, always boils down to taxes. Generally speaking, Albertans hate taxes, though they recognize why they pay them. To use a more specific example, taxes on defense = good, taxes on environmental initiatives = bad. So, the average Albertan thinks, “Buy those fighter jets, but don’t raise my taxes to pay for curbside recycling pickup. And you kids get off my oil sands!”
Continuing through with the tax thinking, health care as we currently know it is generally seen as a good thing. As might be expected, there is griping about what we pay, and what we receive–mostly along the lines of wait times, though this complaint is common in all provinces. But current initiatives by the provincial Tories to rein in health care spending through consolidating provision facilities and groups and such are being met with complaints from all sides in all locations. As such, I cannot see the Alberta contingent of MPs spearheading a radical change in federal health care thinking. While I am sure the issue will arise in Parliament, and some discussion will occur in the Commons; I feel confident in saying that the public system won’t go away, in other words. And abortion is just another item covered by Alberta Health’s schedule of benefits; no different from appendectomies or other surgical procedures–yes, every RC church and a few of the Fundamentalist ones have a sign against abortion, but it’s not a common topic of conversation; and it seems to be very low on the list of priorities for most people.
Gay marriage is a non-issue. Most Albertans recognize that the courts have settled that one and it is useless to try to reopen it; and from what I can see, most Albertans don’t want to open that one anyway. Oh sure, a few of the more radical and vocal Fundamentalists are up in arms, but nowhere along the lines of Fred Phelps. The extent of our Fundies’ public ire seems to be expressed in letters to the editor. Many of the more moderate religious people are simply glad that gay marriage doesn’t cost them any tax dollars–see, it’s the tax thinking again.
Capital punishment? No, that’s not coming back either. Yes, there are calls for it every time a monster such as Paul Bernardo or Robert Pickton comes along; and again, the far right blasts off angry letters to the editor. But (and you know by now I’m going to say this) most Albertans are not that far right. “Just put the monster away; make sure he’s no danger to me or my family” seems to be the thinking. Calls from death penalty supporters tend to be met with a counter-argument from the more moderate, who like to point out how much it costs to have a death penalty (appeals, motions, research, special death rows, etc.) as opposed to simply having a fair trial, perhaps an appeal, and then incarceration for life: once again, cost through taxes is being considered. But I will also state that when there are no Bernardos or Picktons in the news, capital punishment is off the radar of most people.
It is true that there is a perception that courts and judges are soft on crime, but I’d suggest that it is equally true that to most Albertans, “crime” consists of armed robberies, sexual assaults, first-degree murders, and other serious crimes that make the front page. Very little thought (if any) is given to the string of DUIs, shoplifters, guys who punch other guys in bar fights, and others who troop through provincial courtrooms every day. I haven’t heard many Albertans complaining that these latter criminals present enough of a threat that they deserve onerous (compared to now) sentences. I may be wrong, but I think Albertans, including those in Calgary and Edmonton, would like to see sentences “strengthened” for major crimes such as I described above, but are willing to leave the small stuff alone. So here, we may see a change; and I don’t think that more liberal voices in Calgary and Edmonton will have much influence.
In brief, with the exception of a few changes to the criminal law, I don’t see a radical shift to the far right–it’s not something that I see most Albertans as wanting. As I said, there are those exceptions, but while they tend to be good and loud at getting their message out there, they also tend to be relatively few in number. Where we may see change occurring is in fiscal conservatism–remember, taxes and what they are spent on are important to Albertans, and I can see some influence in Ottawa occurring here. What form that will take, I don’t know. But I guess we’ll find out.
