Premier Rachel Notley, left, and Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure Brian Mason. (Topher Seguin/CP)
EDMONTON — Alberta’s government house leader says a rally that called for Premier Rachel Notley to be jailed is a disturbing sign of Trump-style politics coming to Canada.
“I think the Wildrose (party) in Alberta and their supporters are trying to channel Donald Trump, and I think that that’s disgusting,” Brian Mason said Monday.
“Albertans don’t want to see that kind of politics imported into our province, but it seems that Wildrose supporters are very keen to do just that.”
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean spoke at the Saturday rally at the legislature to protest Alberta’s upcoming carbon tax.
At one point, when federal Conservative leadership candidate Chris Alexander referred to Notley, the crowd began chanting: “Lock her up! Lock her up!”
It was a refrain often heard at president-elect Donald Trump’s campaign rallies when he accused opponent Hillary Clinton of destroying email evidence in a congressional investigation.
Jean also denounced the chant, as well as an anti-gay sign in the crowd.
“Our party and I denounce any type of homophobia or chants that are directed toward denigrating an elected leader in our province,” said Jean.
“It was completely inappropriate.”
Jean was one of many political figures, including Alexander and interim national Conservative leader Rona Ambrose, to call out the chanting.
The rally was organized by the conservative online outlet Rebel Media.
Another speaker was Bernard Hancock, better known as Bernard the Roughneck, who has been making public appearances about the impact of low oil prices and layoffs on families and workers in the oilpatch.
Hancock urged the crowd to find people to hack into Alberta’s computers to find information about the government.
“I know there’s a bunch of stuff they can dig up on what’s going on in that building,” Hancock told the crowd, pointing to the legislature building. “We need their help.”
Hancock was also an invitee and speaker at the recent Wildrose annual general meeting in Red Deer.
Jean said he doesn’t endorse Hancock’s hacking suggestion and wouldn’t speculate on Hancock’s role with the party and caucus in the future.
“Whether he has an opportunity to stand and introduce people in the future (for the Wildrose) is a question,” said Jean.
“As far as Bernard being part of our Wildrose, we invite all Albertans to participate.”
Ric McIver, interim leader for Alberta’s Progressive Conservatives, said he was invited to the rally, but was busy and didn’t make the trip. He didn’t agree with the “lock her up” comments either.
“What we don’t do here is arrest politicians and lock them up when we disagree with them. The whole concept of that is offensive,” said McIver.
Notley and other cabinet ministers have been the target of online attacks and threats since taking office in May 2015.
Calgary legislature member Sandra Jansen crossed the floor to the NDP last month after personal and online attacks she endured for her progressive views. She said they made her realize the Progressive Conservative party no longer represented her views.
Jansen said leaders, if they want to be leaders, need to address such attacks on the spot, not after the fact.
“You need to set an example by making sure that you say emphatically that those types of behaviours are unacceptable and you need to do it there,” said Jansen.
“If you’re not strong enough to stand in front of a group of people who are saying something you disagree with and tell them it’s wrong, then I think you have to question whether you’re cut out for a leadership role.”
Canadian values, eh?
Emilyone on
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SilviaBooth on
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SilviaBooth on
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SilviaBooth on
There is no place for this behavior in Canadian politics. Chris Alexander displayed a complete lack of character in not denouncing the chant in real time after his speech. He tacitly endorsed the behavior of the morons in the crowd by his lack of a response. He needs to grow a pair and stand up for fair play and respect for his political adversaries.
Cowbayby on
Agreed. Listening to him attempt to weasel out of his complicity after the fact is further proof of his lack of leadership skills.
kay53 on
Actually if you were there you would see it was a 15 second chant, everyone laughed, then the crowd of young and old continued to tell stories about how the NDP ideologies were ruining Alberta and how we need a Government that STOPS disrespecting it’s own citizens. It was a great rally, as was the one just held in Calgary!
The issue of Government incompetence should not be covered up by a fabricated 15 second chant that actually show the building resentment in Alberta!
Karma has a purpose and the ABNDP have an appointment!
Trevor Marr on
Rebel Media … Ezra Levant …. ’nuff said
DC Toronto on
Yes Ezra is the ONLY MSM that is reporting on the building resentment that Alberta is having with a Government that should not be governing them!
Trevor Marr on
I don’t’ blame these protesters one bit.
Since when have Canadians been in favour of paying higher taxes, and since when have journalists become advocates for higher taxes?
We already pay 30 cents a liter in carbon taxes on gas, we pay a total of around 45% of our annual income in taxes. And another 6 cents /liter is supposed to fix the world’s climate. Who makes up this stuff?
India’s population grows by 35 million every two years, that’s Canada’s entire population every two years. And a carbon tax will offset this?
Canadians have lost their minds. It’s bizarre.
No wonder they chanted ‘Lock her up.’ They should chant the same thing for the PM.
Klem on
It is BIZARRO that we are ALL not protesting in Edmonton, Ottawa!!! Stand up people, or get ready to bend over!!!
PS it is Winter! Where is the Warming Waldo?
Trevor Marr on
Actually if you were there you would see it was a 15 second chant, everyone laughed, then the crowd of young and old continued to tell stories about how the NDP ideologies were ruining Alberta and how we need a Government that STOPS disrespecting it’s own citizens. It was a great rally, as was the one just held in Calgary!
The issue of Government incompetence should not be covered up by a fabricated 15 second chant that actually show the building resentment in Alberta!
Karma has a purpose and the ABNDP have an appointment!
Trevor Marr on