The Alberta Roundup with Isaac Lamoureux - Alberta’s biggest stories of 2024

00:00:00.160 Hello everyone. Today is going to be another special episode of the Alberta Roundup for the holiday break,

00:00:05.200 where this time we go over some of Alberta's biggest stories from 2024 that we covered at True North.

00:00:10.180 Trust me when I tell you that the amount of shocking stories in Alberta this past year was an extensive list,

00:00:15.700 and it was certainly not easy to sort through them all.

00:00:18.700 Maybe you can guess some of the upcoming stories before they are revealed.

00:00:22.560 My name's Isaac Lamoureux, your host of the Alberta Roundup.

00:00:25.680 Let's hop into the first big story of the year now.

00:00:30.000 So, somewhat unfortunately, we're going to be starting off today with a story that may be tough for me to get through,

00:00:45.240 given its emotional impact on all Alberta residents, that being the Jasper wildfire.

00:00:51.080 We'll start off with the exclusive we published at True North,

00:00:54.200 where a former senior planner of Jasper National Park blamed, quote,

00:00:58.480 unresponsive and politicized leadership for the wildfire.

00:01:03.120 He said that the federal agency's fire prevention staff were so confident in their ability to fight and control wildfires

00:01:09.440 that they intentionally allowed deadwood to collect inside Jasper National Park.

00:01:15.080 Peter Schultz said, quote,

00:01:16.780 There was enormous amounts of deadfall.

00:01:19.900 Some dead trees, but mainly branches that had fallen off.

00:01:23.060 This becomes very dry timber, and it's very well aerated because it's all built up gradually over the years,

00:01:28.840 and it's not compressed in any way.

00:01:30.840 He added, quote,

00:01:31.980 You could light a match, and it's going to practically explode.

00:01:35.100 I know that because I participated in some of those transects, and I saw it for myself.

00:01:40.180 He estimated that by last summer, nearly 40% of Jasper National Park trees were standing deadwood killed by pine beetle infestation.

00:01:48.340 Schultz went as far as calling out the bureaucrats of Parks Canada in a LinkedIn post.

00:01:53.720 He said, quote,

00:01:54.980 If Jasper Town burns, I blame the bureaucrats of Parks Canada,

00:01:58.640 especially all the Jasper National Park superintendents since 2005.

00:02:03.860 This is on you.

00:02:05.040 He added, quote,

00:02:06.420 Not doing your job because of eco-activists who now will blame climate change

00:02:10.840 rather than take responsibility for their own willful ignorance regarding proper forest management.

00:02:16.760 Speaking of eco-activists, Environment Minister Stephen Guibault said the opposite.

00:02:22.120 He said, quote,

00:02:23.380 To think that over all those decades, we would not have deployed all of the resources necessary

00:02:28.500 to try and do everything that is humanly possible to protect a town from a forest fire is simply not true.

00:02:35.280 Realistically, I could talk about this story alone for hours,

00:02:39.180 but instead of doing that, I'll leave you with this clip from Smith

00:02:42.760 to remind you of the emotional toll it took on us all.

00:02:45.720 To the residents of Jasper and those displaced far from home looking at the images of your town on TV and online,

00:02:54.720 the feelings of loss and fear and loneliness must be overwhelming.

00:02:59.600 But you are not alone.

00:03:02.700 All Albertans are with you.

00:03:04.820 For many generations, the town of Jasper

00:03:08.300 and the park surrounding it

00:03:10.720 have been a source of pride.

00:03:13.280 It was some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire in the world.

00:03:24.560 Our grandparents visited to experience the majesty of this place

00:03:31.300 with its mountains and lakes and meadows.

00:03:41.820 They took our parents who then took us

00:03:53.080 to this special spot that they'd spent time in as children.

00:04:00.420 And now we take our own kids and our own loved ones and visitors from around the world

00:04:06.420 to feel that same feeling that you get with your first glimpse of the mountains on the horizon.

00:04:20.260 A feeling that even though you've just left home, you're coming home.

00:04:29.560 And so although those of us who experience Jasper as visitors can't imagine what it feels like

00:04:42.740 to be a Jasperite right now, we share the sense of loss with all of those who live in the town,

00:04:55.640 who care for it, and who have helped build it.

00:05:00.900 Jasper, we will continue to stand by you

00:05:03.260 as everyone works to get their feet back under them

00:05:07.020 and as we look forward to recovering.

00:05:09.400 The next story we'll dive into is a big one,

00:05:12.080 that being Alberta Premier Daniel Smith's leadership review.

00:05:16.420 You'll probably remember that Smith received an overwhelming 91.5% vote

00:05:20.960 in the leadership review at the party's annual general meeting.

00:05:24.700 I was at the meeting and was truly shocked by the results.

00:05:27.620 Here's a short video I took that hardly captures the emotion and energy of the announcement.

00:05:31.940 The results of the leadership review is

00:05:35.820 with 4,633 cast ballots in the yes column

00:05:42.920 to the decision of do you agree?

00:05:45.700 Up your leader, 91.5!

00:05:50.380 the definition of goes on.

00:06:06.060 From the title of the leader.

00:06:08.340 clase č č are.

00:06:10.860 A US nicht exactly the first time they're on.

00:06:14.860 War và도 hayる.

00:06:15.940 He's on klar, John terribly answered.

00:06:17.560 Approximately 6,085 people attended the AGM and the majority voted in the leadership review.

00:06:36.180 Additional ballots on some UCP board member voting were provided to members on top of their

00:06:40.840 leadership review ballot. Members voted discreetly and then deposited their ballots into a box which

00:06:46.340 would be counted later. Smith's actual approval rating might even be higher than 91.5% considering

00:06:52.060 some members who attended wanted Smith to win but voted against her to teach her a lesson. 0.80

00:06:58.000 For example, Wyatt Claypool, journalist and former conservative candidate, told me that he voted

00:07:03.200 no despite wanting Smith to win. He argued that she had not been clear enough on some key issues

00:07:08.640 like tax cuts and would learn nothing if she got an 100% vote. However, he was, he said, 100% sure

00:07:15.220 that Smith would win given that even Kenny won the review despite widespread opposition.

00:07:21.020 Of course, Kenny resigned thereafter because he received just over the 50% threshold.

00:07:26.500 Speaking of the AGM, I got the chance to speak with Jennifer Johnson while I attended.

00:07:31.500 You may recall that Johnson was cancelled by Legacy Media for allegedly comparing transgender

00:07:36.060 children to feces but as we previously discussed on the show, that was a stretch at best.

00:07:40.680 Johnson later made headlines when attending a meeting with various Alberta pride societies

00:07:44.860 when an activist attempted to force her to say that biological men can be women. She refused.

00:07:51.080 The interaction caught global headlines with JK Rowling and Elon Musk reacting to it.

00:07:56.480 Johnson was then reinstated following the interaction as many Albertans stood up for her.

00:08:02.060 Here's a bit of my chat with Johnson at the AGM.

00:08:04.840 And obviously you made headlines recently. A lot of the party members rallied around you.

00:08:09.500 I'm curious what the reception's been like at this event. Have a lot of people been coming up to you

00:08:13.140 like, oh my God, Jennifer, so nice to see you, stuff like that?

00:08:15.720 Yeah, it sure has. It's been overwhelming almost in that a lot of people have come up

00:08:20.000 who I don't even know. They're from all around the province and wanting a picture or just

00:08:24.380 really encouraging me and encouraged me to stand strong and thanking me for remaining true.

00:08:32.740 And that means a lot. I'm very grateful for that.

00:08:35.840 And prior to this event, like online and stuff, did you get a lot of the similar sentiments

00:08:40.040 that were people calling into your office, for example? Can you walk me through a few examples

00:08:43.860 on how people have reached out to you before this event?

00:08:46.940 Oh, for sure. And of course, the most iconic of those is JK Rowling.

00:08:50.480 And if she's watching, thank you. I will be forever grateful.

00:08:53.700 And Elon Musk, thank you for commenting as well and bringing some attention to this very,

00:08:58.360 very important issue.

00:08:59.200 Um, for everyone else, it's been around the world. I would say it's into the thousands

00:09:03.880 of comments and emails and texts and phone calls that I've received. And, um, I was over

00:09:09.480 99% positive for sure, 99.9, probably higher that have been encouraging. And most of them

00:09:16.700 from Alberta, but they've been across Canada, the United States, and even the world. And boy,

00:09:20.840 that's, that's really exciting.

00:09:22.280 And obviously, uh, uh, a select few pride groups slandered you, which I talked about

00:09:27.020 on the Alberta Roundup, but have any LGBTQ or pride groups reached out to you in support

00:09:32.400 as well?

00:09:32.960 Absolutely. I would say the majority. And I have them in my, in my constituency, one of

00:09:38.720 my friends, and I can't mention his name because of his fear of the appraisal and, um, being

00:09:44.240 punished for that or getting canceled. I came to the legislature even on Thursday, uh, to attend

00:09:49.880 for the dropping of those three pieces of really important legislation. So yes, I've,

00:09:54.120 it's been overwhelming even from, from that community. And again, for that time, so grateful.

00:09:58.940 Another story we're going to cover was partially mentioned on last week's show when we discussed

00:10:03.020 the notable ways that the Alberta government stood up for freedom in 2024. So sorry if you

00:10:07.580 feel there's a bit of overlap, but we'll hear, we'll talk about some of the legislation

00:10:11.700 implemented by Smith and her government in 2020.

00:10:15.620 It's the family and friends event at Shoppers Drug Mart. Get 20% off

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00:10:32.200 Starting off is the trio of bills recently passed by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta

00:10:37.360 that strengthen parental rights, promote fairness in sports, and prevent minors from undergoing

00:10:41.980 irreversible gender transition procedures that they may live to regret.

00:10:46.120 Bill 26, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, Bill 27, the Education Amendment Act, and

00:10:51.400 Bill 29, the Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, each passed their third rating and will come

00:10:57.120 into effect following a royal proclamation expected on September 1st, 2025.

00:11:02.020 The three bills were among the 13 bills the Alberta government plans to introduce in this

00:11:06.020 legislative session. The remaining bills focus on personal autonomy, property rights, and

00:11:10.720 legal firearm ownership. Bill 27 requires parental consent for children aged 15 and under to change

00:11:17.020 their name, gender, and pronouns at school. 16 and 17 year olds will not need parental consent,

00:11:22.680 but their parents will be notified of any changes. Parents currently can opt their children out of the

00:11:27.580 sexual orientation and gender identity curriculum. The legislative changes will require parents to have

00:11:32.260 to opt them in. Executive Director of Parents for Choice in Education, John Hilton O'Brien,

00:11:37.500 previously criticized the Edmonton Public School Board's motion opposing Smith for implementing

00:11:43.000 parental rights policies. He said, quote,

00:11:46.100 What they're claiming is that a child's right to privacy is against the parents and that they,

00:11:51.060 as the bureaucrats, could exercise that right. But in fact, the right of privacy is a claim against

00:11:56.440 the state. And for the parents to exercise, not the bureaucrats. They're flipping the very idea of 1.00

00:12:02.740 human rights completely on its head. Also featured in the 13 bills is the Alberta Bill of Rights

00:12:08.260 Amendment Act. The Alberta Bill of Rights has not been significantly updated since its introduction

00:12:13.260 in 1972. There is some overlap between the Alberta legislation and the federal charter,

00:12:19.220 which was adopted a decade later. But a notable point of divergence is the Alberta Bill of Rights's

00:12:24.300 guarantee of property rights and the right of parents to make informed decisions about their

00:12:28.680 children's education. The 2024 changes include the right for Albertans not to be subjected to

00:12:34.280 or coerced into receiving medical care, treatment, or procedure without consent. It includes the right

00:12:40.280 not to be compelled or coerced into taking a vaccine. Freedom of expression rights were expanded

00:12:45.620 beyond written and spoken language to include other expressive activities. Additionally, rights to

00:12:50.620 acquire, keep, and use firearms were added to reinforce the right to lawful firearm ownership.

00:12:56.140 Property rights were also expanded. The amendments took effect on December 5th, 2024.

00:13:02.320 Another huge story regarding potential legislation is an exclusive I covered at True North Nation

00:13:07.640 earlier in the year. So some of you who attended may remember this from True North Nation when Smith

00:13:12.940 called on Pierre Poilievre to follow her lead and amend the Canadian Bill of Rights to strengthen

00:13:18.040 protections that may be absent in the charter. She said, quote,

00:13:21.740 I think that we should stop looking at the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as the full comprehensive

00:13:27.120 expression of all rights and freedoms we are endowed with. I think we're entering an era now where

00:13:32.020 people are demanding that their governments respect them and not treat them the way they were treated

00:13:36.940 during that terrible COVID era. Smith added that Poilievre could probably make these amendments if he's

00:13:42.760 elected prime minister without having a huge constitutional discussion. So we'll hop into our last story

00:13:47.840 slash stories now and you really didn't think that we could get through this without an entire section

00:13:53.380 dedicated towards Calgary and the many developments it saw this year. Starting off with the water

00:13:59.640 crisis, we'll remember that Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gundek apologized for having such poor communication

00:14:05.200 during the crisis. She said, quote,

00:14:08.280 Going forward, we will do a much better job of explaining what's happened, the expected timeline to

00:14:13.220 get back to normal and what we need from you in the way of water conservation. However, only a few

00:14:18.380 days later, the City Council proposed permanent water restrictions. The proposed amendments included

00:14:23.820 a watering schedule allowing Calgarians to use sprinklers for just three hours a day, two days a week

00:14:29.640 between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. Calgary's water restrictions began at voluntary water conservation

00:14:34.660 before escalating to stage 1 to 4 restriction levels. Stages were determined by risk of drought

00:14:40.420 conditions. Stages 1 to 2 were normally implemented when it was very dry and stages 3 to 4 when it was

00:14:46.080 extremely dry. Fines for violating stage 1 began at $400, rising to $600 for stage 2, $1,500 for stage 3,

00:14:54.140 and $3,000 for stage 4. If the changes were to be implemented, the voluntary water conservation phase

00:15:00.240 would have been replaced with the outdoor watering schedule, which would have been permanently in effect.

00:15:05.140 However, that didn't come to be as Calgary eventually returned to normal indoor water use.

00:15:10.160 Despite the water restrictions ending, the resulting view of Gondek may be everlasting. Her handling of

00:15:16.400 the water crisis resulted in her becoming less popular than Justin Trudeau. As of June 2024,

00:15:22.980 Gondek's approval rating was 26% compared to Trudeau's 28%. To be fair, Gondek may now be higher

00:15:29.420 than Trudeau, not thanks to her own doing, but of course because of Trudeau's recent handling of the

00:15:35.720 Freeland dismissal and the Liberal caucus revolt, along with many Liberal MPs calling for his

00:15:40.700 resignation. Adding to the disapproval of Gondek is the ongoing Green Line LRT project, which you may

00:15:46.100 remember Alberta Transport Minister Jeven Drieschen called a quote, multi-billion dollar boondoggle that

00:15:51.760 will serve very few Calgarians. The Green Line was initially supposed to be 46 kilometers with 29 stations

00:15:58.580 and cost 4.6 billion dollars. It was then reduced to merely 10 kilometers with seven stations, but

00:16:04.860 somehow Rosen cost the 6.2 billion dollars. Nenshi also faced some of the backlash for it was him at

00:16:10.540 the helm of the initial proposal. The province has had to step in to solve the fiasco and their most

00:16:15.180 recent update from December 13 said it would save over 1 billion dollars and add five more stops that

00:16:20.500 will be 76% longer and serve 60% more Calgarians. But of course none of these fiascos or her record

00:16:27.840 low approval rating stopped Gondek from recently being crowned Mayor of the Year by an Ontario-based

00:16:33.460 municipal magazine. However, the magazine's executive director, Greg Crone, told me that quote,

00:16:38.780 there were no runner-ups, there was no voting, we zeroed in on Mayor Gondek early and selected her by

00:16:44.140 consensus of our editorial staff. He added quote, we did not look at polling data as it was a purely

00:16:49.980 editorial decision. All right everyone, so that wraps up the stories we'll cover today in our

00:16:54.900 2024 roundup. Hopefully you can see this breakdown as a belated Christmas gift from me given that it's

00:17:01.160 just passed. I hope you had a great Christmas and an even better New Year's along with the remaining

00:17:05.980 holidays. Let me know in the comments if you have any New Year's resolutions or whether you don't

00:17:10.520 believe in those at all. Once again, my name's Isaac Lamoureux, your host of the Alberta Roundup.

00:17:15.680 Have a great weekend, thank you and God bless. May Alberta prosper strong and free.

00:17:20.300 Again, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas receiving all the gifts that you asked Santa for.

00:17:25.000 But remember, the greatest gift of all is the ability to spend time with loved ones.

00:17:29.360 I hope you were able to. All the best in 2025 and Happy New Year again.

The Alberta Roundup with Isaac Lamoureux - December 28, 2024

Alberta’s biggest stories of 2024

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