O Tempora! O Mores! In the great scheme of things, the fact a United Conservative Party cabinet minister referred to one of her constituents in a private conversation with an office staffer as a “motherfucker” is of nearly total insignificance.
Public discourse in Alberta, and generally throughout North America in the age of Donald Trump, Jason Kenney, and four-letter black flags, is far too debased for us to get our knickers in a twist if a politician uses a creative variation of the F-word to describe a constituent, especially when the constituent in question is nowhere to be seen.
So on its own the undeniable fact that Calgary-Peigan MLA Tanya Fir – who is unironically Alberta’s minister of arts, culture and status of women – used that crude but familiar compound noun to describe someone who phoned to complain about the UCP’s use of the Constitution’s Notwithstanding Clause to suspend fundamental rights of unionized schoolteachers means little.
A recording of Ms. Fir’s pithy conversation came to light when she somehow failed to hang up her phone on a constituent for whom she had just left a more professional-sounding message promising to make Premier Danielle Smith’s cabinet and the UCP caucus aware of the caller’s concern.
As the recorder continued to operate, however, Ms. Fir and her assistant discussed the message just left and then moved on to their next order of business.
“Alright,” Ms. Fir concluded. “Going on to this next motherfucker. …” Thereafter, she named the subject of her assessment and his telephone number, including them in the phone message to the previous caller. Whoops!
The subject of the epithet, as it turned out, was former Calgary Herald editorial writer Doug Firby, who nowadays publishes a blog on Substack. The person who had received Ms. Fir’s recorded message, which included Mr. Firby’s name and number, passed the recording on to Mr. Firby.
Mr. Firby, as any of us ex-journos would have, couldn’t resist the temptation to publish a story about the recording. He took a forgiving view – although a little self-righteous, in my opinion, seeing as he decided notwithstanding to publicize Ms. Fir’s blunder.
Be that as it may, he wrote in his Substack that Ms. Fir had quickly apologized to him. “She assured me the profanity was not intended for me and told me she only used it because she was overwhelmed by obscene messages she had to listen to.” Mr. Firby said Ms. Fir played him three, all crude, misogynistic and disturbing.
A little less insignificant, though, is that Ms. Fir left the impression, with me anyhow when I listened to the portion of the message posted on social media, that her unpleasant assessment not only applied to the next caller on her list, but to anyone who was upset about the UCP’s decision to use the Notwithstanding Clause to suspend the constitutional rights of 51,000 citizens who happened to have been on a legal strike when the government passed legislation not only sending them back to work but suspending their right to advocate for continued labour action.
For that she should have been asked to explain herself, as she did to Mr. Firby, in the Legislature.
Likewise, other UCP ministers who have been around for a while might have been asked why they were so tolerant of the same kind of intimidating attacks when they were directed at, for example, former premier Rachel Notley.
So where was the NDP Opposition on this? Apparently nowhere to be seen or heard.
This, I would argue, is political malpractice more serious than accidentally leaving a recorder running when you thought you’d hung up on an unhappy constituent.
The NDP’s lack of killer instinct is a serious shortcoming that may well impair the ability of Albertans to get rid of this terrible UCP Government. Surely it’s time for Opposition MLAs to sharpen their attacks.
Some thoughts on the use of profanity in reporting
Readers may wonder why I spelled out the offensive word in question instead of engaging in silly circumlocutions that made the word obvious to all readers but with a few letters blanked out or replaced by typographers’ dingbats as if that softened the message. Here are some passages from a textbook I wrote a few years ago for journalism students at a Christian College on this very topic:
“In determining whether the use of profanity in a news story is appropriate, context is everything. Specifically, the context of whether the use of profane language reflects on the fitness of a person to hold an office or position.
“If a robber uses profanity in the course of holding up a convenience store, this is not newsworthy. There is no news value whatsoever in informing readers that low-class characters who hold up stores late at night use the F-word as part of their ordinary discourse. We would simply expect such commentary from villains. There is no language test for the suitability of a candidate for armed robbery. In this and like circumstances, the profanity should not be included in the story.
“Some might argue that use of profanity in such a story will paint a dramatic picture of the events. Save such colour for your novel. It’s not news.
“On the other hand, if the bishop of a large church or a senior politician uses similar language in a sermon or a Parliamentary debate, arguably this is newsworthy. Either they have carefully pondered the implications of making such a statement, or they have not and have provided us with an unexpected glimpse into their innermost thoughts. Either way, their use of such language both emphasizes the point they are trying to make and reflects on their fitness to hold office.
“In this and like circumstances, the profanity should be included in the story.
“It’s best to use profanity very rarely. Judged critically, it is seldom newsworthy. When it is, it should be spelled out and stated clearly.”
Former ATA president Larry Booi on this year’s teachers’ strike
Speaking of Substack, and the recent teachers’ labour dispute ended by the UCP’s so-called Back to School Act, former Alberta Teachers Association president Larry Booi has published a sharply critical essay about the union’s strategy under the heading “Valiant Membership; Failure of Leadership.”
The “most fateful decision,” Mr. Booi wrote, “was to not take the single action that was key to the eventual success of the (ATA’s) 2002 strike: to ask teachers to withdraw their voluntary services.”
“When the ATA dealt with Bill 12 in 2002, they were faced with a very similar blunt force threat now used in Bill 2. All strike action of any kind was prohibited, with similar substantial penalties for defiance. ‘Work to rule’ was also prohibited, with a statement that teachers must resume the duties of their employment ‘without slowdown or diminution.’”
But in 2002, he wrote, the union risked using “the only weapon that could actually make a difference: asking teachers to withdraw their voluntary services.”
“The government did not levy fines or arrest anyone,” he noted. “The withdrawal of services was a huge success, and the fact that teachers had obeyed the law by staying in their schools was also very helpful. Public pressure on government mounted, they asked for talks, and an acceptable agreement was signed in April.”
They say you should dance as if no one is watching, but if you are in politics these days you probably should never talk as if no one is listening. I expect this is a lesson Ms. Fir has probably now learned to her great embarrassment.
I do feel her quick and fairly gracious apology was good, perhaps she soon realized if she didn’t, this could lead to her recall. Also to be fair the expletive seemed to be aimed at callers in general, not specifically at the one who heard it. No doubt she was getting tired of hearing from so many unhappy constituents, but as they also say if you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen.
I agree the UCP has contributed to greatly to more negative public discourse in recent years. Their rage farming has worked and like with recall the UCP is now reaping what it sowed. Perhaps they will learn their lesson and become more civil in the future, but somehow I doubt it.
I specifically refrain from using foul language on this blog, because what if a kid happened to be reading this? Nothing surprises me with the UCP anymore.
With the NDP, it’s the fault of the media for not even giving them any time. The media continues to exalt the UCP and Danielle Smith, and doesn’t care about the NDP and Naheed Nenshi. In addition, Danielle Smith kept the by-election for Edmonton Strathcona down to the very last moment. She has also made it so that the Alberta Legislature hardly ever sits, and she did that on purpose, and she exited Alberta, for most of the already low amount of time the Alberta Legislature sits in the fall, because she is petrified of being held accountable for the UCP’s many missteps, and their extremely pricey boondoogles. Danielle Smith doesn’t want to square off with Naheed Nenshi, who has known her for around 35 years, ever since they both were post secondary students at the University of Calgary. That would be the end of her political tenure. He knows how dishonest she is.
The media never even bothered to hold the UCP and Danielle Smith to account for their epic failures as a provincial government, and lied about Rachel Notley and the NDP, prior to the last provincial election in Alberta, in 2023. That led to Rachel Notley and the NDP getting defeated. Had the media not lied about Rachel Notley and the NDP, and had took the UCP and Danielle Smith to task for all their many wrongdoings, we would see the NDP still in power, and Rachel Notley would still be our premier.
Danielle Smith’s lies are going to take her and the UCP down and she will not be able to do anything about it. The media will not be able to glorify her anymore either, because her very bad leadership is not making a good impression on many people.
I remember way back when I had two step-kids and my wife would get angry if I dropped any f-bombs in front of them. One day, my step-son just said to his mom, “You know, it doesn’t make any difference, we hear much worse everyday at school.”
This is not the first time we have seen a potty mouthed UCP in action, as Jason Nixon dropped an f-bomb right in the Legislature a while ago and as things heat up will probably not be the last. While I agree the NDP should have jumped on this, and I am not defending the lack of response, I think they have bigger issues to complain about like: minimum wages, health care being torn apart, UCP treating of labor unions, cuts to seniors programs and AISH, UCP scandals and the list goes on and on. So petty foul language in my view is far down the list.
In business, the culture of the organization, always comes from the top. So You are absolutely right, it shouldn’t shock anyone. This is and always been the attitude of the UPC towards Albertans.
So true! When it comes time to hold the UCP’s feet to the fire the Alberta NDP never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Granted, Mr Nenshi does fire off the occasional witty rejoinder, but it is painfully obvious they do not like to fight. If the NDP consisted of 38 Brian Masons, the fur would be flying daily. The UCP never worry about the NDP, the recall petitions have become the official opposition.
Who will be the first UCP MLA lining up to call a female member of the press “piggy” on camera, à la Donald Trump? It’s only the beginning. The more they get away with, the further they go. This is not a slip-up. It is part of the plan. Remember “poop cookies”? Nothing is off the table.
Foul and abusive language was used by a certain well-known political group in the past as a propaganda tool, to ramp up the base with hatred and division. It ended in a world war.
These people are propagandists, not politicians as we knew politicians in the past here in Canada. The sooner we recognize this, the sooner we will realize what they intend to do to us and where that will lead. This is just the beginning. The worst is yet to come. The longer they stay in power, the worse it will be.
Also, people on X who discussed this incident have a very real fear of having their accounts shut down. Every obscene name and foul word in the books can be used by some, but using a direct quote if you are not the “right” person can lead to consequences. BTW, X is very kind to those reported for use of the “C” word against females.
Words are of import to me to be sure. My generation and upbringing are such that I still cringe when my children use the name of the Lord in vain.
Tisn’t the gutter language that bothers me so much though, as the words that are swept aside by the members of this government as if they have no significance, no history, no impact, words that are dismissed as so much housekeeping. Words like ‘freedom of assembly’ or ‘freedom of expression’. Then there are the phrases invented out of whole cloth- ‘clean coal’ and ‘compassionate care’ or ‘restructuring of the system’ that sound anodyne until you think about it.
The staffer or large language model writing their material strips the weight of words that were carved out of fear and blood and regret and blends into a deceptively bland mush that even Searle Turton can get his tongue around.
This is the language I worry about.
It is nice to see Mr. Booi still fighting the fight, even saw him at one of the cold, early morning Red for Ed community walks. It’s not the same fight though.
The ATA will not exist as a union in four years time. Membership in any union will become optional for educators and will be contingent on the education service that employs them. ‘Teacher’ will become a much more elastic term, not one tied to the acquisition of a degree in an accredited institution or to the adherence to a professional association. This model is already in place for the early childhood system to which the PUF funding migrated. Educators will work as contractual/ gig workers in buildings leased out to whichever ‘Kids R Us’ chain provides the lowest bid or is closest to the minister at the time.
UNLESS someone cares a whole awful lot, it’s not going to get better, it’s not.
Emily: In my opinion, taking the name of the Lord in vain, or any deity for that matter, is a whole different matter than mere crudity. We probably had similar upbringings. DJC
In retrospect, maybe it’s a good thing in this scenario that KidzRUs chains running schools in Alberta of the future won’t be serving free school lunches. The 12+ kids of tomorrow might go on school field trips to hunt bears and elk for the school cafeteria. What’s a little trichinosis or chronic wasting disease among friends? There’s Ivermectin for the former but nothing for the latter. Oh well.
Just one more phony ass covering mea culpa, i.e. “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”, from a third rate stage actor in a long line of political great pretenders who could not overtly lie their way out of the situation, because it is difficult to deny the physical evidence.
Anyway, if you are clearly not up to the pure entertainment value of the task, then you should simply leave it to the pros:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfM2afdXFR0
Otherwise you just end up looking and sounding foolish, because in this particular case the worst lack all conviction, while the best are full of passionate intensity.
Tanya Fir’s reaction I would think is anger. She is both afraid and feels something has been violated, is my hunch. Probably the government’s right to dictate terms to the workers and have solid support on the NW clause.
That really says things that are pretty dreadful about the UCP view of being a government. I would say they want a society based on a 1918 Canada a Laissez Faire economy with a strong private enterprise and regulation approach to favour ownership not workers
Her choice of words reflects her fear and surprise that the newer post war Canada vision may destroy this government, as voters realize it does not align with with 21st century needs
Most of the times I agree with your posts. In this case I very much disagree that Tanya Fir’s description of a constituent means little. Dealing with constituents is her main and most important job and if that is the way she does it, I think that she is a disaster and it is time to give someone else a chance. The problem is that these people think that they are entitled and special and can do whatever they want. Well I hope she is one of the recalled ones.
By the way, for those who are still thinking of the NDP, I think it is time to move on. They are good at asking for money, of that I am quite sure. Their non-stop phone begging has started. I have blocked them.
Progressives no longer have representation in this province, so recalling the UCP MLAs will be great but it will be for a short period because they will be back and shut down the recall law.
I too am disappointed that the teachers didn’t respond with work to rule. Cowardice in leadership- except for the most venal of leaders- seems the norm these days. I’d quote William Butler Yeats but it’s too trite anymore :-(.