The UCP caucus chair for Calgary has stepped down from his role in the wake of Jason Kenney’s Sky Palace shindig..And Richard Gotfried, MLA for Calgary Fish Creek, is slamming the “hypocrisy” of some of those in government..“From the beginning of this pandemic, I have been vocal and outspoken both internally in Caucus and in the community around the importance of leading by example, avoiding hypocrisy and walking the talk. None of us has been perfect, but as your elected representative, you rightly hold us to a high standard, or at minimum to the rules and regulations we set out for others,” Gotfried wrote in a Facebook statement..“I call upon ALL elected representatives, from all levels of government across our province to show leadership, to act responsibly and to avoid the hypocrisy that makes a mockery of the tough decisions we have to make and the sacrifices/responsible behaviour we have been asking of each and every Albertan for the past 15 months..“I fully intend to continue to be an outspoken messenger of what I am hearing from my constituents, and in fact, I just resigned as Calgary Caucus Chair on Thursday to ensure my message as the MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek is not conflated with my role as caucus chair. This will allow me even more latitude to speak unreservedly on matters of principle, ethics and government/caucus operations, hopefully for the benefit of all Albertans, and the earning of the TRUST that I think must be the cornerstone of any enduring public or private organization!”.Leela Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women, and Minister of Community and Social Services Rajan Sawhney both took shots at Kenney over the weekend..UCP MLAs Angela Pitt and David Hanson have publicly said they were appalled by the group’s behaviour. Independent MLA’s Drew Barnes and Todd Loewen have called on Kenney to resign..Kenney was pilloried after photos emerged last week showing him sitting with eight other people – including cabinet ministers – on the Sky Palace’s patio, clearly not following socially distancing rules. The linen-covered table is topped with a 40 oz. bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey, wine glasses and bottled water..Health Minister Tyler Shandro, Finance Minister Travis Toews, Government House Leader Jason Nixon were all gathered around the table..The Western Standard’s Fact Check found Kenney and his guests have 18 counts of violating their own regulations, and eight counts of violating their own guidelines..Kenney claimed it was a working business dinner that was taken outside because the risk of virus transmission is lower than being inside. He brushed aside NDP criticism, saying they did not want Alberta to reopen and no COVID-19 regulations were broken..The Sky Palace was a media-dubbed name when it emerged former Premier Alison Redford was renovating the top of the Federal Building into a private residence for her and her daughter..More to come…..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
