• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. US & Canada
  4. Canada's conservative party fears being taken over by far-right 'lunatics'
US & Canada

Canada's conservative party fears being taken over by far-right 'lunatics'

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Mar 2022 11:55

The premier of Alberta has called his fellow Conservatives "lunatics" who are "trying to take over the asylum."

  • Canada's conservative party fears being taken over by 'lunatics' on far-right
    Alberta Premier Jason Kenney

The Alberta Province's premier, Jason Kenney, has called conservatives within his party "lunatics", attempting to "take over the asylum" as a wave of populism in the conservative party of Canada paints a grim image of the future.

In a leaked recording of a meeting with staff, Kenney warned of a far-right element – skeptical of coronavirus measures and obsessed with conspiracy theories – seizing control of the party in the coming weeks as the United Conservatives conduct a leadership review.

“I will not let this mainstream conservative party become an agent for extreme, hateful, intolerant, bigoted, and crazy views. Sorry to be so blunt with you but you need to understand what the stakes are here,” Kenney said.

Referring to a QAnon conspiracy theory, he added that “people who think I am involved in a global conspiracy to traffic children” may attempt to vote for his removal.

Lori Turnbull, director of Dalhousie University’s School of Public Administration, discussed the "deep-seated" differences within the conservative party that tend to arise every couple of years and described Conservatives as having an "existential crisis, where they break apart and come together and break again."

“The federal candidates are definitely looking to see what happens in Alberta because that’s going to be a big part of the game for whoever ends up winning the leadership race," Turnbull said.

Kenney has headed a party divided on public health measures for the past two years, with the more anti-government faction opposing lockdowns.

Alberta had one of the highest infection rates in North America at one point, which may be due to the internal divisions within the party.

Recent polls show Kenney's response to the crisis led to one of the lowest approval ratings in the country.

According to the premier, “[Prominent Alberta conservative] Preston Manning used to say that a bright light attracts a few bugs, well, there’s more than a few bugs attracted to us, this party, right now."

The Premier claimed that stress over his position made him consider resigning, saying, "What's the easiest path for me? Just to take a walk. I don't need this job. I could go o the private sector, have my evenings, weekends off."

The party was rocked again last week when the party's leadership announced a last-minute decision to mail-in votes, claiming a record spike in party registration. The abrupt move has prompted charges of dishonesty from party members, some of whom have called for Kenney's resignation.

The results will be released on May 18, and Kenney will need just a simple majority to retain his position as leader.

  • Conservatives
  • Canada
  • Far-Right

Trending Now

All
In this photo provided by the Government of Alberta Fire Service, a burned section of forest in the area near Edson, Alberta, smolders, Saturday, May 6, 2023. (Government of Alberta Fire Service/The Canadian Press via AP)

Conspiracy theory of ‘ecoterrorism’ rages over Canada wildfires

CrowdTangle will reportedly last through the upcoming midterm elections in the US

Meta planning on shutting down popular post tracking tool

Most Read

Haaretz

Mossad agent killed in Italy part of anti-Iran mission: Israeli media

  • Europe
  • 3 Jun
Screengrab from drone video footage showing Ukrainian Leopard tanks getting hit by Russian artillery in the Zaparozhye direction (Social media / Telegram: ZA_FROHT)

Germany's Leopards, IRIS-Ts not holding up well in Ukraine

  • Europe
  • 8 Jun
James G. Rickards. (WIkipedia)

Ex-CIA advisor predicts date when US dollar hegemony will collapse

  • Europe
  • 7 Jun
NATO may deploy troops in Ukraine to guarantee security: Former chief

NATO states may deploy in Ukraine to guarantee security: Former chief

  • Europe
  • 8 Jun

Read this

All
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attends a mid-day prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 24, 2023 (AP)
MENA

Iran BRICS membership to soon be materialized, Raisi says

  • 9 Jun
File photo shows Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF) activist George Ibrahim Abdallah escorted by a French Gendarme as he arrives at Lyon courthouse, July 10, 1986 (samidoun network)
Europe

Georges Abdallah submits 9th parole request to French authorities

  • 9 Jun
Late Egyptian President greeted by cheering crowds after announcing his nationalization of the Suez Canal Company, Cairo, July 26, 1956 (Wikimedia)
MENA

UK's role in sabotaging Nasser's plans for developing Suez Canal: BBC

  • 9 Jun
Screen grab from a Russian forces drone footage featuring destroying NATO-supplied German madeLeopard 2A6 and US made 4 M2A2 Bradley IFV (Telegram: VOIN_DV)
Europe

M2A2 Bradleys IFVs, Leopard 2 tanks destroyed in Zaporozhye front

  • 9 Jun
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS