'A shock to the political system in Alberta'

Alberta’s UCP government used the biggest hammer in its toolbox this week to force teachers back to work.

The provincial government invoked the notwithstanding clause, arguing families needed certainty. The move has certainly raised the ire of many Albertans, along with the wider labour movement, which has promised consequences. Already, the education minister is the target of the first recall petition approved under Alberta’s Recall Act.

This week on West of Centre, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Colin Aitchison, press secretary to the education minister in Jason Kenney’s UCP government; former Alberta NDP cabinet minister Shannon Phillips; and University of Alberta political scientist Jared Wesley.

Together, they scratch their heads at how a grassroots effort to affirm Alberta’s place in Canada with the "Forever Canadian" petition outgrew every expectation. When combined with the teachers’ movement, the panel sees it as a shock to the political system in Alberta.

Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Colin Aitchison, Shannon Phillips, Jared Wesley