Social media exploded yesterday with criticism that the six “surveys” on the so-called Alberta Next Panel’s slick website are an exercise in manufacturing consent, to use Noam Chomsky’s now familiar phrase.
Having read all the survey questions and watched to the irritating propaganda videos that anyone wanting to answer their questions must sit through first, I would go further. These “surveys” are push polls with zero validity as a measure of public opinion and consent baked in.
If you participate, the only answers you can give will in most cases imply your agreement with Premier Danielle Smith’s plans for getting rid of the Canada Pension Plan, dumping the RCMP, forcing constitutional change on the rest of Canada, ending equalization and federal transfers, ending federal-provincial co-operation on tax collection, and refusing to welcome immigrants to Canada that we don’t want for whatever reason to move here.
Even if respondents aren’t sucked in by the crude propaganda in the videos – all sweetly delivered in the dulcet tones of a sprightly female narrator, presumably human – they are given no opportunity to express their own views, or say anything negative.
The United Conservative Party brain trust presumably learned that lesson with its 2023 pension plan “engagement” survey, the results of which the Smith Government suppressed for nearly two years because two-thirds of the respondents opposed being forced out of the Canada Pension Plan and a lot of them offered their opinions in scathing terms. Only 10 per cent were in favour of an Alberta pension plan.
The results were finally released a week ago thanks to FOIP request and appeal to the Information Commissioner by Postmedia journalists.
Premier Smith and the UCP have never given up on this project, though – the potential grift is just too big – and they’ve been trying to build consent ever since through constituency meetings organized by their separatist allies and now this Alberta Next push poll. By the sound of several recent legitimate public opinion polls they may have had some success.
The little Alberta Next pension survey asks only three questions.
As Alberta Federation of Labour President Gil McGowan pointed out on social media, for some reason this question “fails to mention that the discrepancy is due to fact that we have more workers than retirees. Every Canadian contributes at the same rate and gets the same benefits.”
And what if you see no potential benefit to this scheme whatsoever, and reject the premise of each proffered answer?
Go ahead, pick one! We’ve already picked an answer!
Answers to all surveys are multiple choice, as shown in the example above. In every case, the selections are designed to boost the government’s argument. There is no place to say what you really think.
To participate, you are required to give your name and postal code, but the system appears to be easy to game. But even if it isn’t, that doesn’t really matter as the purpose obviously is to build consent for a plan that is already fully developed. I would be shocked if the referendum questions these surveys have been designed to justify are not already drafted.
Needless to say, such a questionnaire has zero credibility or validity.
As for the introductory videos, some are better than others, but all are propagandistic and intentionally misleading. In the blithely delivered effort to boost an Alberta pension plan, for example, the CPP is described as suffering from “bloated” management and accused of being increasingly focused on “on emissions reductions and DEI concerns,” with investment decisions made by people who live in Ottawa and Toronto. (Actually, as I recall, the previous CEO of the Alberta Investment Management Corp. lived in Toronto as well, but whatever.)
“The CPP exit rules aren’t clear in the federal legislation, and Ottawa is notoriously anti-Alberta with its decisions,” the anonymous narrator complains – in case the DEI reference didn’t rile up the UCP base, presumably. “So the size of the lump sum Alberta is offered could be lower than it should be.”
Whether this turns out to be an effective propaganda tool, of course, remains to be seen.
NOTE: I am a believer that it’s easier to recognize and understand propaganda if you can read it in print and parse what is actually being said. Accordingly, I have created an accurate transcript of each of the six Alberta Next survey introductory videos, which can be downloaded and shared here.
Transcript of the Alberta Next pension survey introductory video
Transcript of Alberta Next constitutional change survey introductory video
Transcript of Alberta Next equalization survey introductory video
Transcript of Alberta Next RCMP survey introductory video
Transcript of Alberta Next immigration survey introductory video
Transcript of Alberta Next income tax collection introductory video
Danielle Smith Introductory Alberta Next Video from AlbertaNextPanel.ca
Hello DJC and fellow commenters,DJC, you clearly have more patience with agreeing to watching these dishonest videos than I would have. Listening to Danielle Smith’s fantasies in that nauseating voice drive me crazy.Thank you for watching them and providing transcripts.
Christina: It was truly painful. Although whoever voiced them did a terrific job. DJC
It was and she did so, damn it. Too many Albertans are going to buy this.
Ah yes, in the long tradition of PC government surveys along the lines of: “Do you feel that government spending should be cut by 5% or by 10%?”
Laurie: My late dad used to refer to this as a “Russian ballot.” Q: “Do you approve of the leadership of Comrade Stalin?” A1: Yes A2: Thanks, but I would prefer to move to Siberia. DJC
The UCP are scallywags and murderous traitors. General strike now!
The crazy about these videos is that every single one of them is an unrequited love letter to Justin Trudeau.
There seems to be this weird obsession with Trudeau, like the kind a stalker would have over someone they can’t have.
So, with this in mind, one must ask themselves if Queen Danielle, and by extension the UCP government, is so filled with desire and angst over Trudeau, and his absence and his disregard for Smith, treating her as though she’s out-of-sight and out-of-mind, just proves what a bad boyfriend he is?
Dani is so broken up about Justin not being there. So broken up, she decided to convene another panel to *study* Alberta’s options, like a pension and a police force, that everyone has roundly told the UCP to stuff over and over again.
It’s apparent that Smith’s state of mind has become highly questionable.
If it’s very Trudeau-centric (I refuse to watch the videos) then I’m willing to bet that the UCP had this in the can ready for the “right” time, before Trudeau resigned.
Accompanying this insane anti-CPP, Danielle & UCP continue to screw with AIMCO pension fund, firing the board & swapping CEO/CIO many times. She has stated she will use the pension funds to gamble in oil&gas. JFC.
Oh yes……the big general public funded O&G industry……
…….and profitable too I might add……hmmmmm……the things that make you go hmmmmm…….
I believe they’ve been using AIMCo as an oilpatch slush fund for at least several years. Smith appointing Stephen Harper, an avowed enemy of government pensions (other than his own) to “manage” the pension fund, is just the latest step to bailing out foundering oil minors, further enriching their owners.
I suppose this is how trying to manufacture consent sometimes works. So far Albertans have not been very enthusiastic about the old firewall gang ideas to create an Alberta Pension Plan. We already have CPP and it works, particularly for those who already receive it or are soon to receive it.
However, Smith and her UCP communications staff are relentless. If at first you don’t succeed, try again should be their motto now. I suppose this new “survey” with its pre chosen answers may attract some curious people and having to endure a propaganda spiel to participate may convince a few and frustrate others. However, the biggest win for the UCP here may be to finally announce that Albertans “support” their plans. Of course this time no other options were given.
However this is dangerous ground. A resentment may build when people clearly discover that the current government does not really want their input, but just to use them as pawns for their own purposes. Also, all it takes is one or two credible polls after to expose this exercise for the sham it is.
Having to go to such elaborate lengths shows in itself how out of step Smith and the UCP are with Albertans and all the time and money spent on this exercise will not make it otherwise.
You said ‘A resentment may build when people clearly discover that the current government does not really want their input, but just to use them as pawns for their own purposes….’
I don’t think Conservative voters have the capacity to care about being used like that, in fact I think they think they’re all ‘fighting the good fight’ even though it means they are putting the scalpel to their own nose!(as in cutting off their own nose to spite their faces!) And later, when it all goes to crap, they will blame everyone else for their own stupid choices. Just like they do now.
It would be a nice change if the Alberta NDP came up with a well thought out plan that punched back hard, including it’s own town halls and survey. I’m not holding my breath, though. In a lot of ways the ANDP are like the Leafs during the playoffs. Not enough grit.
JE: I grew up in a town in Western Canada where you loved the Habs and, if they weren’t playing, pulled for whoever was on the ice against the Leafs. Yes, even Boston! Gotta tell you, though, the longer I spend in benighted Alberta, the move I like the Leafs. DJC
DJC— chuckle….and flashback, to a little town in Alberta; 1/2 French, 1/2 Ukrainian. And we cheered for the Leafs or the Blackhawks, but never the Habs…
Lol
And yes, big Thanks for watching….I got through her saying the rise of separatists was all Ottawa’s fault and promptly changed the channel.
Listening to the “hooey” from the neighbors for the last few days has lowered my patience level to .05 …SIGH!!
Randi-lee: My dad grew up in Delisle, Sask., and family legend has it he played on the same team as a kid as the Bentley Brothers. (Probably a lot of Delisle families have that same legend and, as it was a pretty small town with not much to do, it may even be true for most of them.) Dad always pulled for the Hawks because, he said, the Maple Leafs treated the Bentleys badly, and the Hawks gave them a better deal. DJC
Somehow Dingy Smith is not giving this APP idea no matter what people say, sort of “What part of NO don’t you understand”. I looked at what they released and there is a site where you can read people’s comments. Of the about 7,000 responses on that, my rough estimate would be less than 5% had any positive comments. That survey also had questions that basically had going to an APP as a forgone conclusion and similar questions as above, but they did allow space for comments and there were a whole bunch of really nasty ones. The majority of which had some a sort of “keep your hands off my pension” theme. This time with the pre-disposed questions, there does not appear to be spot to make rude comments like the last one. There is another survey site I found where you can make choices and give feedback to Dingy but again you need to provide your name, phone number, etc. and they do ask for a donation. https://unitedconservative.ca/petitions/alberta-next-survey/
Of course in my case since I always vote ABC (anything but conservative) they didn’t get any money out of me!
There’s a reason Dixie Dani loves Trump.
Neither one of them takes “NO” as a complete sentence.
While Smith proves how ignorant she is, she has to run the province on surveys and get the people to make her decisions for her. If she doesn’t like the results she just ignores them. We never saw Lougheed being this stupid did we, but then she’s constantly praising that fool Ralph Klein who was more at her intelligent level, wasn’t he?
Alan K. Spiller: I agree with you. Look at the garbage that Postmedia publishes.
Opinion: Alberta NDP’s ‘Fortress Edmonton’ starting to show cracks | Edmonton Journal https://share.google/iZD47aSREiXIbRH3g
Several times in the immigration video the narrator accuses Ottawa of having an open borders policy mimicking Trump. This completely overlooks the fact that the surge in admissions in temporary foreign workers was driven by employers (especially Alberta employers) seeking cheap and compliant workers. The surge in international students was driven by post-secondary institutions looking to make up for government funding cuts, or in the case of private vocational institutions trying to increase profits.
The federal government was slow to crack down on this abuse but they finally did last year and the number of temporary admissions is now falling rapidly.
“The CPP exit rules aren’t clear” is a flat out lie. Took me about 10 minutes of google search to find a creditable and understandable synopsis – 19 months ago!
But then again, can’t see the clown party brain trust wanting anyone to know about the 2 major exit provisions:
1) approval of 2/3 of population from 7 provinces
2) exiting province MUST provide management plan for their fund equal to better than current CPP management plan.
Remember this – Meech Lake & Charlottetown couldn’t meet 1/2 and 7. The UCP can’t manage a piggy bank – look at the value of the Heritage Fund.
Gerald: In my opinion, the UCP strategy is to engage in a game of bluff and misinformation with the message that, if you won’t do what we want, we will fan the flames of Western separatism. This is a win-win from their perspective. What the government resists because it would essentially destroy Canada as a nation state, will be described as a betrayal. What the government concedes, becomes another incremental step toward the ultimate goal. That said, your point is exactly why I will publish all of the transcripts of the pre-“survey” propaganda videos. DJC
Many thanks for transcribing a publishing of the videos; if you are drinking man, please treat yourself to your favourite libation!
As for “win-win”, their analysis is fatally flawed. Opinion polls, the byelections, this blog, etc., all say otherwise. Fundamentally, Smith & UCP have drank their ideological coolaid. Separation, Alberta Pension Plan, Alberta Police – any of them are a brick wall that voters will eventually put in front of their headlong, witless lemming waltz.
Honestly, the police force is the only one I see Smith could unilaterally enact. Separation & pension plan will never pass muster from the rest of Canada.
Flames of separatism are also getting a big boost come Canada day (the irony) from none other than Christine Anderson and little “Ms Wexit” Tamara Lich. Fireworks and all…
Poster on AFF…
I forgot to check if that was anywhere near Skippy’s new cowboy express riding??
Hmmm??
Why do I get the feeling that at least 2/3 of the rest of Canada would be happy to cut Trater Dan and the UCP braintrust loose. That and the magical print anything unbounded by facts gives you a TBA investment plan . The backstop is starting to look like a no guard rail situation.
They have their token progressive on the panel!
CX: If you mean Dr. Tombe, I think a case could be made against that characterization. I am certain that Dr. Tombe is a thoroughly honourable, honest, knowledgeable and serious person. My sense, though, is that he accepts the usual neoliberal cant of this era and his profession. In my opinion, and possibly just mine, no neoliberal economist can be accurately described as progressive. DJC
‘In my opinion, and possibly just mine, no neoliberal economist can be accurately described as progressive. DJC’
No not just your opinion. They are not progressive and they created the inequality we have today.
I am sure they have been well compensated for their commitment to the cause.
Carlos: Exactly.
Hi CX. I’m pretty sure that Trevor Tombe, like Dr. Jared Wesley, would describe himself as a small-c conservative. He was among the first to call bullshit on Danielle Smith’s grossly optimistic numbers re creating the Alberta Pension Plan, aka “oilpatch bailout gift fund.” He also called out the CPC bullshit on the carbon tax, saying it wasn’t to blame for rising prices in Canada (Policy Options magazine online, Dec 2023).
While Dr. Tombe may not be willing to lead the charge against Danielle Smith’s separatist campaign (hey, neither am I, keyboard-warrior slacktivist that I am), he is at least willing to point out bad policy when it’s within his area of expertise.
Dr. Tombe does seem to be mainstream, to my limited knowledge. He’s published in Policy Options magazine, The Hub and the Calgary Herald. For sure, he gets much more media attention than the progressive economist Dr. Jim Stanford of https://centreforfuturework.ca/.
https://drjaredwesley.substack.com/
How much are we paying for this propaganda and this panel? Whatever the amount, it’s an obscene waste of money. Marlaina and the UCP should be paying the cost for this ideological campaign.
Never any money for workers; always millions of dollars for insiders and the fossil fuel industry.
Even though the legislature doesn’t sit until the end of October and then only for 4 weeks (nice “work” if you can get it), I hope Nenshi can call out Marlain-a-Lago’s constant lies and electioneering on the public dime.
Dear Alberta,
Do you love me:
A) more than Naheed Nenshi?
B) more than Mark Carney?
C) more than Jesus Christ?
Signed, Alberta Premier Smith
LOL
Danielle Smith is beyond REPAIR LOL
Carlos–
On behalf of all “Canadians” we are calling for an involuntaryintervention and sending you to AA in Florida for our own good.
Too soon??
The UCP can only do what it knows how to do, which is act on the assumption that if you throw enough BS at the wall, and do it hard enough and for long enough, some of it’s gonna stick.
Danielle will surely win the Silver Shovel award!!
Bait and switch, what you see is not what you get. If she can’t be honest about something as simple as a request for input, can you imagine how dishonest she and the UCP are about their plans for a separate Alberta with its own pension plan, health care plan, laws and regulations, education system, justice system etc?
Don’t you worry about Fraulein Schmidt. She’ll have pulled her golden parachute over the sunny coast of Panama with millions in the bank before the final nail is put in Alberta’s coffin
Premier Smith rhymes with Post media BULL Sh#t………..is there ever an end to the TRUMP stupidity??? Alberta’s Maga Queen strong and free like a juvenile at 17…..making it all up as she goes along a political journey to divide and CORPORATE conquer the ECONOMIC slaves of CANADA……Smith is such a farce……its time she EXITs her soapbox stage…..enough already
David, could you do a transcript of the main intro video?
Yours are much better formatted than YouTube’s.
https://youtu.be/NgqqUORSkj0
PJ: Sure, as a public service. But not tonight. It’s a quarter to midnight as I write this, and there’s a can of IPA in the fridge calling my name. DJC
Everything you post is a public service!
I could do it myself but then it wouldn’t be widely accessible.
Thank you.
PJ: A transcript has now been posted to this page. DJC
Excellent! thank you David.
Good grief, Smith is still trying to push the APP today. What a fool she is.
https://x.com/ABDanielleSmith/status/1938614175519142291
There are other ways to let the premier know what you think:
https://www.alberta.ca/premier-contact.cfm
Former premier Alison Redford, tried building a taxpayer palace in downtown Edmonton, I’m sure that palace would pale in comparison to the governors mansion premier Smith will build in southern Alberta.
She is the northern trumpeter.
And disingenuous
Cee: It is my view that the idea of a premier’s residence in the government district of Edmonton was a sound one, both from a security and a cost perspective. Unfortunately, Premier Redford intervened in the project in ways that were seen, accurately I believe, as self-interested and inappropriate, and the minister overseeing the project who should have known better, allowed this to go on while sitting on information that should have been public. DJC
Thank you David… for taking one for the team!
I despair daily, as there is no low that Smith & Co. won’t mine. Who is the “brains” behind this latest waste of Treasury funds, and has the nerve to present it as something needed?
FTR, there is no GD way I’m participating in listening to the videos etc., plus giving up my personal details in their harvesting of information.
Danielle Smith and the UCP are getting worse and worse. The damage they have done will be very hard to undo.
Thomas Lukaszuk’s referendum petition has been accepted. After looking up the application rules, looks like he is at least partly correct – a separation application cannot go ahead while his is in progress. So Mitch what his name’s blather about applying on Friday the 4th is FOS ( full of s***). Not being a lawyer, I am unsure about the 5 year ban part – but I give Lukaszuk benefit of doubt that he is right.
Bets on Smith changing the rules later this year?
Considering the article’s argument that the same censorship standards could extend to sacred texts like the Bible, what are the potential broader implications for how we define “age‑appropriate” literature in public schools?