The ruling brought down by the PCAA last night is outrageous, disgraceful, and solid proof of the witch hunt being brought upon the Jason Kenney campaign and his supporters by the PC Alberta establishment.
It has been public knowledge for a week now that the Kenney campaign reached out to the party for clarification of the rules regarding where a candidate can be located in proximity to a delegate selection meeting. As it stands, the rules are about as solid as a wet strand of spaghetti. The party did not clarify these rules, and thus the Kenney campaign went ahead with plans to host a hospitality suite in the same building, but not the same room, as the DSM.
Knowing the above, I can at least tolerate the fine, even though I do believe it is unjust. However, the decision to invalidate the results of the DSM is an insult to party members and a complete affront to democracy. Party members, especially those who took their own personal time to attend the meeting and vote in a slate of 15 leadership delegates, are outraged, and rightfully so.
Most concerning, above all else, is the party president, Katherine O’Neill’s, involvement in this whole situation. It has been reported by multiple sources that O’Neill brought these complaints to representatives of other candidates and suggested that they file this with the CRO. Her presence in the complaint as a witness is equally concerning. This is a blatant display of bias, and it is grounds for O’Neill to be removed from her position as PC Alberta president.
As an Albertan, I’m not overly surprised by this. The PCAA is what it always has been: A party run in back rooms, unaccountable to Albertans and to its own card-carrying members. As a PC Alberta member and as an elected leadership delegate, I am horrified by the party president’s interference in this leadership race.
While I do not work for any campaign, and my opinion in the grand scheme of things will only be represented in a single vote at the leadership convention, I will say this: My resolve to help Jason Kenney win this party’s leadership is only strengthened by this decision. I will be pushing each and every person I know in each riding awaiting its DSM to join the party and run as unity delegates. I owe this to every Albertan who has been hurt by this current NDP government and by the actions of the PC establishment who seeks to keep Albertans divided.
Trevor Norris
PC Alberta Leadership Delegate
Spruce Grove – St. Albert
Drill Oil, Rope Calves, Shoot Trap, Vote Right 