The Greatest Show on Earth, also known as the Calgary Stampede, kicked-off celebrating its 100th anniversary this weekend. Between the chuck wagons and rodeo clowns, politicians off all stripes will drop into Calgary over the next week to kiss babies and grill pancakes.
Twitter was, well, atwitter with chatter comparing the level of applause received by Premier Alison Redford and Wildrose leader Danielle Smith at Prime Minster Stephen Harper‘s annual Stampede BBQ. It sounds silly, because it is, and it signals how deep the divide between Progressive Conservatives and Wildrose partisans are in this province.
No word about whether Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk and federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney took an opportunity to put aside their differences.
Liberal Member of Parliament Justin Trudeau was the talk of the political town at a fundraiser for the yet to be called Calgary-Centre by-election. Along with Beena Ashar, who already announced her candidacy, conservationist and former President of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Harvey Locke and TEDxCalgary organizer Rahim Sajan entered the Liberal Party nomination contest this weekend. As the provincial Liberal candidate in Calgary-Foothills during the 1989 election, Mr. Locke came within 500 votes of unseating Pat Black, who would later become Finance Minister Pat Nelson.
Here are some photos that were floating around social media networks this weekend. Check out Calgary Grit this week for his annual collection of political photos from the Stampede.
4 replies on “calgary stampede: the greatest political show on earth.”
Really like the photo of Danielle Smith (in a red C.B.C. apron no less) with Elizbeth May. Shows a spirit of good fun and good will that can erupt at the Stampede as well as some of the political posturing and showmanship mentioned above.
Elizabeth May sure trashed Smith’s pancake cooking abilities later when I saw her at a pub. Also said Smith only stayed for 15 minutes.
The whole Stampede/politico swarming thing is becoming hilarious. I find it quite entertaining entertaining. At the very least, a boon for Riley & McCormick Western Wear.
Suuure she did, “Joe.” That’s a totally believable story.
Meanwhile, Nenshi’s horse told me that everyone in Calgary will win the lottery.