As different as they were philosophically, former Canadian prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and former Alberta premier Ralph Klein were the masters.
Master of manipulating the media, that is!
It seems each time the heat was on, they created a diversion which quickly drew unsuspecting voters away from the real issues at hand. Trudeau’s “one finger salute” and “I’ll kick his ass” statement in parliament created a diversion the media couldn’t fall fast enough for. This was far more exciting than reporting on a budget.
And King Ralph? Dec. 12, 2001, he made a visit to a homeless shelter in Edmonton and proceeded to swear at and tell several homeless people to “get jobs” before calling them “bums”. The media was in a frenzy. The real issues were buried in the back pages. A perfect plan expertly executed by Klein and we fell for it!
Two weeks ago on April 20, the Alberta government and Premier Danille Smith announced Alberta was moving to daylight time year-round.
This was most pressing issue facing the government? Really? Is it too complicated for Albertans to bother changing their clocks twice a year?
Alberta Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally says the move leaves more light at the end of the day instead of morning. Actually, the time there is light each day does not change. Only the time there is light.
“It was time to stop talking about it and to take some action to get it done,” Nally huffed and puffed in multiple news outlets.
Nally and rest of the leaders in Edmonton seem to forget in 2021 Albertans defeated a proposal to adopt permanent daylight time. It was narrowly defeated by a 50.2 per cent vote.
Now, the government is ignoring the wishes of Albertans and moving forward. Why the government does not go back to the voters for a decision is rather puzzling. Apparently, they know more than the Albertans who told them they did not want the change.
“Things have changed!” they told the media.
Well – no – actually the number of daylight hours each day remains the same every 365 days this rock hurtles around the sun.
In the big picture world we live in, most of us should not really care! It is not that big a deal! No matter what, we will adjust. Perhaps the tremendous strain and demand of not having to change your clocks twice a year will create healthier Albertans. Far less stress, you now!
The Alberta government would be far better off if it dealt with its massive deficits and/or found ways to curtail the ever-increasing high cost of living.
But just like Trudeau and Klein, Premier Danielle Smith and her government are attempting to shift the focus from the real issues facing Albertans by making waves about the importance of changing clocks.
What a joke! Trudeau and Klein would be proud!
Chris Clegg