UCP leadership candidate Leela Aheer is a proud United Conservative..Her campaign website says so..But the Chestermere-Strathmore MLA is more in sync with policies the left peddles than positions held by the six other final approved candidates vying to replace Premier Jason Kenney..The really, very woke Aheer proudly calls it being “progressive.".Others see it as reading verbatim off NDP leader Rachel Notley’s script on issues like mandatory vaccines and masking, and replacing Alberta’s woke education curriculum..Since Aheer announced her leadership bid on a left-wing radio show she, like other candidates, stressed a need to rebuild Albertan’s trust in the UCP. .She takes a dramatically different turn on the divide between Ottawa and Alberta..Others offer plans to stop Ottawa’s tyranny against Alberta. .Danielle Smith proposed the Sovereignty Act to block enforcement of anti-Alberta legislation. .Travis Toews proposes to shift tax power from the federal government to the provinces, and ways to defend Alberta’s energy and agricultural sectors. .Brian Jean says he will pick up the fight over equalization after Kenney abandoned it..Aheer’s campaign website says zip about federal-provincial relations..However, she attended an invite-only July 10 Stampede breakfast — with featured guest Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — hosted by Calgary Skyview Liberal MP George Chahal..Her Facebook page displayed photos of other Stampede breakfasts she attended, but not that Liberal hoedown. Odd..Perhaps Aheer had a good reason for munching pancakes with Trudeau who can’t conceal his disdain for Alberta..But the optics are bad. Albertans —75% who view Trudeau unfavorably — might view it as a hard slap in the face. .The Western Standard was told Aheer would explain her policies. Just wait for the call. Still waiting..Aheer doesn’t shy away from mingling with and posting glowing stuff about hard lefties..There’s that selfie with far-left Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. No, there’s nothing untoward about politicians posing together. They were simply having a swell time — all smiley and cuddled together like besties..Then there’s that gushing tweet about Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood NDP MLA Janis Irwin and Anna Murphy..“At the ask them panel hearing the amazing @Janis Irwin 2TheAnnaMurphy and @LanaBentleyYYC expelling and discussing the important and critical issues around 2SLGBTQ+ folk and the work that needs to be done to make our committees (communities) stronger, better and more loving,” tweeted Aheer, who posted a group photo.. IrwinIrwin .Aheer promoted Pride Week and International Non-Binary Awareness Week..“We’re getting ready for Pride Week and We Need You. Do you have great shoes and some bright coloured clothing?”.“Shout out to our they/them/ze/zir and other envy-affirming pronoun users … Some non-binary individuals also choose to use he/they or she/they or other various pronouns. When in doubt, ask!” .Lots of talk about identity politics. Not so much on taxes, spending, energy, or Alberta standing up for itself..These posts offer insight to priorities she holds dear. Fine. .But an aspiring premier’s focus should expand to be inclusive of Albertans who fret not about pronouns, but about inflation and gas prices..Jean has been roaring about Albertans getting ripped off at the pumps. He announced measures to offer royalty-free gasoline and diesel to save consumers money..Aheer addressed gas prices on Facebook..“I shouldn’t laugh at this but I have to,” wrote Aheer in a July 17 post above a meme that reads: I JUST GOT A FULL TANK OF GAS FOR $22. GRANTED, IT WAS FOR MY LAWN MOWER, BUT I AM TRYING TO STAY POSITIVE.”.Humor’s good. Proposed solutions are better. Albertans are hurting, not laughing..Aheer’s unapologetic about being an advocate for lockdowns, mandatory vaccines, and forced masking..A big factor to Kenney getting 51.4% in a leadership review leading to his resignation was his COVID-19 policies. .Albertans rebelled against forced vaccines, pastors arrested, school closures, and lost jobs..Kenney faced pushback from UCP backbenchers blasting his restrictions as ineffective intrusions on freedoms..Yet Aheer issued a July 13 press release warning about the dangers long COVID presents. .“We should leave medical decisions and recommendations to the professionals and lead by example. I will be unapologetic about following the science and advice. ALWAYS,” she said..“My heart sinks when I hear statements that COVID is not real.”.“Long COVID can be devastating. Protective measures were put in place to keep our province safe and prevent out healthcare system from collapsing.”.That’s music to the ears of the NDP-dominated Alberta Health Services..Aheer had a problem with Kenney’s COVID policies, but not the problem that most conservatives had. Her problem was that the UCP didn’t act even more like the NDP..On July 14, Aheer reposted a tweet promoting vaccines for children, the wisdom of which is increasingly questioned. .It reads: For parents wondering about when the vaccine will be rolled out for 6 months to five-years-old in Alberta. Alberta Health says they expect to receive an initial supply of the vaccine and begin roll out by the end of July..So, would an Aheer government force parents to vaccinate their kids?.Would a hypothetical Aheer government oblige the World Health Organization (WHO) every time it rattles its sabers? .Aheer was dumped from Kenney’s cabinet as minister of culture, multiculturalism, and the status of women, for criticizing him on several fronts, including not personally adhering to his tough COVID-19 measures..But she agrees with Kenney on one issue..Albertans are a racist lot. .Kenney played to race card to scare ethnic communities into buying memberships to support him. .READ MORE Kenney says his leadership opponents fuelled by ‘racism, hatred, and intolerance.Aheer has long warned about racists prowling Alberta..“I know what racism looks like, sounds like, and feels like. I also know racism exists in Alberta. I have fought against it my entire life,” wrote Aheer in a July 2020 Calgary Herald column. .Yet ‘racist’ Albertans elected her to the legislature in 2015, then again in 2019..When the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, Aheer was the only leadership candidate to condemn the ruling. the others accurately said it had no impact on Canada, which, it does not. .The court simply handed the decision on abortion to the states. As in American states, not Canadian provinces..Aheer — echoing the disingenuous fearmongering spewed by the left — told Postmedia it was a “devastating” attack on bodily autonomy and “misogyny.”.She made no mention of “bodily autonomy” when she advocated for mandatory vaccination. .At the same time, a “horrified” Notley said the ruling was “abhorrent” and yelped “lives will be ruined” and “people will die.”.Aheer also sides with the NDP on education..In fact, she called for a pause to the UCP’s revamped Alberta K-6 curriculum which offers a focus on literacy, numeracy, citizenship, and practical skills. It was designed to address years of declining student performance and do away with some of the NDP’s woke indoctrination..At one point, Toews issued a statement saying “the politicization of the curriculum renewal process isn’t in the best interests of students and has to stop.”.The soft-spoken Aheer recently posted a video of her sitting on a road by a canola field near Strathmore..She said she was going to “just try to share some of what I believe.”.Aheer spoke of “blessings” and “love” of the province and the “glorious day” and being “compelled to give back” — and the need to invest in a $10 membership..“I believe that I can be the representation that you need….” She said without explaining why she’s the representation Albertans need..So, let’s go to Aheer’s campaign website: What I Stand For — Integrity. Community. Efficiency..“If you want a leadership candidate who is focused on Albertan issues such as education, healthcare, and progressive conservative values please nominate me.”.She’s for low taxes, stability in uncertain times, and rooting out wasteful spending while protecting the most vulnerable..She wants the “government to work together as a team instead of a clash of personalities.”.That’s rich from an MLA whose constituency association (CA) — her hubby Malkeet Aheer is vice-president for membership and her son Akesh Aheer a board member — has been at war with members and the party that just read it the riot act..READ MORE Trouble continues for MLA Leela Aheer’s UCP Chestermere-Strathmore constituency.Still no plans for voted in troubled UCP constituency .Another Aheer slogan is “Alberta calls. I answer.”.I’m not sure which Albertans are calling.
