Calgarians react to Premier Alison Redford’s resignation
The Calgary Journal sent reporters in all directions on this first snowy day of spring. The goal — ask Calgarians about Alison Redford’s decision to step down as their premier. News of her resignation blanketed the city. Our reporters rode the C-train, visited the Legion, hung out at a S.E. mall, and wandered the streets in search of reaction.
Don Strachan, member of the Royal Canadian Legion
Photo by Riad Kadri
Strachan says he wasn’t surprised to hear Redford quit. “I worked for the Alberta government for over 30 years and the PCs are nothing but arrogance. It’s a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do attitude,” he says. “They’re not even conservative anymore — just a bunch of disgruntled liberals that jumped ship starting particularly with Ralph Klein, and Redford is the same way. If you want to go with the PCs right now, [what is needed] to save the PCs would be to bring Mar back from China — and I don’t particularly like him either, but he’s the best of the worst.”
Tyson Blackhorse, Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) recipient
Photo by Alyssa Quirico
“I’m glad she resigned, she was a terrible boss,” says Blackhorse as he waits for the C-Train at City Hall station. “She should have been overseeing every part of her budget. That should be her job,” he says. “This shows that people have more of an opinion and politicians can’t just walk all over everybody,” says Blackhorse. “We need another Ralph Klein is what we need.”
Joan Botkin, High River resident
Photo by Alyssa Quirico
“I think the things she did do well are being superceded by the bill for the [costs associated with flying to Nelson Mandela’s funeral in South Africa]. And I’m not sure that she had any control over how much was spent,” Botkin says as she rides the Crowfoot train into downtown Calgary. “When I look at what we’ve been able to accomplish in High River in the last five months, that’s partly because of the government. So what is it going to mean for High River?” She adds she doesn’t believe gender had anything to do with Redford’s resignation. “I would like to think that we are beyond that, but I would like to see more women in leadership roles, that’s for darn sure,” Botkin says.
Violet Turner, MC College student
Photo by Alyssa Quirico
“I thought it was a good thing because she spends a lot of money and she didn’t want to pay it back,” says Turner as she waits for the C-Train at Sunnyside station. “A lot of people pay a lot of money for taxes and it’s not fair,” she says. Turner adds that she doesn’t think gender has anything to do with it. “If it was a guy who did that, I think everyone would be just as upset.”
Myrna Downey, retired
Photo by Riad Kadri
“I think it was inevitable down the road if she didn’t do it herself,” Downey says while shopping at Marlborough Mall. “I can’t say [who should replace her] because I’m not that much into politics. I don’t even know who’d be interested in it.” Downey declined a photograph.
Floyd Mueller, member of the Royal Canadian Legion
Photo by Riad Kadri
“I was happy, just happy,” Mueller says of Redford’s resignation. “I said ‘finally’ you know, she had no right to be there in the first place and no right to stay.” He says, “it’s too late for the PCs, they’ve made too many enemies,” and says he would rather see the Wildrose party in power.
Allan Wason, auto detailer
Photo by Alyssa Quirico
“I heard she was pretty good but I don’t vote,” Wason says as he waits inside Canyon Meadows C-Train station. “I don’t really think there’s a point… as long as I’m safe, rent’s paid and I’m fed. That’s about it.”
Joe, homeless for two weeks now
Photo by Andrew Szekeres
“I think it’s good that she’s gone. She didn’t do her job and didn’t spend money properly, which affects all regular Albertans,” he said.
The Calgary Journal sent reporters in all directions on this first snowy day of spring. The goal — ask Calgarians about Alison Redford’s decision to step down as their premier. News of her resignation blanketed the city. Our reporters rode the C-train, visited the Legion, hung out at a S.E. mall, and wandered the streets in search of reaction.
