It is imperative for socialists to ally with Indigenous peoples and oppose Albertan independence, as separation would constitute an enormous setback for Indigenous rights in the region. Even as Canada continues to renege on its historic and contemporary promises to Indigenous peoples, an ultraconservative independent Alberta would certainly be far worse.

The first book from The Breach’s new publishing arm Breach Books, The Poilievre Project: A Radical Blueprint for Corporate Rule, is a short but incisive analysis of Pierre Poilievre’s ideology. Martin Lukacs’ deep and methodical analysis yields a nuanced portrait of Poilievre as a more radical far-right break from the history of Canadian neoliberalism.

Where do Danielle Smith’s loyalties lie? People asked this question after she revealed on MAGA-aligned media that she counselled Trump officials to pause the tariffs until after Canada’s federal election is over. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is close to Trump’s agenda, she said, but the trade war is boosting Liberal support.

What’s so dangerous about the anti-trans policy resolutions the party endorsed isn’t that they will become legislation any time soon, but their effect of bolstering Smith’s claim that she’s pursuing a sensible middleground with the anti-trans legislation she’s already introduced. But when it comes to basic human rights, there is no middle ground.

Kenney, Smith, and the UCP are the symptom of a failure of Alberta’s entrenched political class to deal with the province’s deeper problems. This failure takes the form of demands that the Alberta state be given more power; that is, that those who have held power in the province going on forty years be given even more power. But nothing ever changes.

It used to be that conservatives campaigned to the right and governed to the centre. This strategy reflected the realities that conservative-minded people like a steady hand on the economic tiller, honest governance, and well-funded social programs. Lately, however, conservative politicians have increasingly adopted a more extreme approach.

Astute political observers may have noticed that Mr. Kenney’s resignation speech was silent on the prospect of a political comeback. He may well even be contemplating throwing his well-worn hat into the ring of the upcoming race to lead the UCP again! The premier’s political career is done. Fantasyland carnival barker Kenney just doesn’t know it yet.

Instead of implementing much-needed improvements to address the crises in continuing care, the UCP government’s Continuing Care Act focuses on a series of bureaucratic and governance changes that will have little impact on the day-to-day lives of residents and workers. Rather than any type of minimum care standards, it creates a single system for licensing continuing care providers.

When it comes to Canadian oil, the “Putinist” smear is only the newest stage in a series of attempts to discredit largely Indigenous-led anti-pipeline protest movements. And it’s not just the ramblings of Jason Kenney—one of Canada’s prominent think tanks has also endorsed that view, foreshadowing the character of the Canadian elite’s newest assault on land defenders.

“Professor” Kenney, beleaguered in the polls, facing a leadership review in April, and widely disliked right around the province, found it utterly impossible to refrain from bellying up to a lectern at a Red Deer presser and explaining the geo-political intricacies of a highly volatile, dynamic, and uncertain situation now emerging roughly a million miles from the premier’s own current problems.