Canadian Issues

“Welcome to Ralph’s World” Neo- Takes Hold in Canada

Kelly O’Donnell* s s r r e e t t u u e e R R / / t R s T S e B

n u a h S

Ralph Klein

n Canada, the influence of neo- erally relatively accepting of the Klein government cuts and restructuring is conservatism, a dominant trend in government’s right-wing policies, Onta - due to a failure in Mike Harris’ lead - Itoday’s world, needs to be studied rians are not as welcoming of Harris’. ership, and to a political culture that carefully. and are two Although they are the first two pro vin - sup ports organized interests, which can provinces where the neo-conservative ces to suffer major provincial cutbacks mobilize protests against the provin - agenda dominates, promoted by their and both have been swept by ideolog - cial government. Alberta’s comparative respective premiers, and ical changes based on right-wing men - lack of opposition to the Klein govern - Mike Harris. While Albertans are gen - talities, different political cultures in ment’s policies is attributable to his the two provinces and the leadership phenomenal popular support and to styles of their premiers account for dif - the province’s right-wing political cul - * Department of Po li tical Science, , Ed mon ton, ferentiated public res ponses to policy. ture that abhors dissent and public cri - Canada. Ontario’s massive public opposition to ticism of authority.

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In this article, I will examine neo- footsteps. Canada is experiencing a According to the United Nations, conservatism in the Canadian context. I dra matic shift in ideology at both the Ca nada has one of highest standards shall discuss in the recent re-election provincial and federal levels, edging of living in the world, which many Ca - of Ralph Klein in Alberta and his further and further toward the right of nadians equate with our social wel fare leadership, comparing it to Mike Harris’ the political spectrum. Alberta’s pre - system. However, Canada is now mov - and then look at the implications for mier, known to most Al bertans as ing away from its traditional welfare Canada as a whole. 1 Ralph, is a highly adept po l itician. His state policies. Last year the Klein gov - re-election demonstrates the growing ernment introduced Alberta’s Health strength of neo-conservatism in Care Protection Act, which allows for THE RECENT ALBERTA ELECTION Canada. Alberta, under his govern - private medical clinics in the pro vince. ment, was the revolutionary pro vince The act is a perfect example of the move “We believe those that would vote Li - that began this well-publicized fiscal ly toward privatization. Neo-conservatives beral or NDP don’t deserve to live in Al - conservative crusade to eliminate gov - seek to minimize the role of the wel - berta” read a sign in Winfield, Alber - ernment de ficits and debt without fare state in society. This is reflected ta. Such a sign might be consid ered rais ing taxes. Ontario, under the Harris by policy that reduces welfare benefits, edu cation and health care bud gets and the number of public sector employ - Last year the Klein government introduced ees. When examining how the two pro - Alberta’s Health Care Protection Act, which allows vinces reacted to their neo- conserva - for private medical clinics in the pro vince. tive governments, it is im port ant to The act is a perfect example of the con sider how these reg imes came about. Leadership is a key factor in provincial move toward privatization. politics —particu larly in this equation. While Klein and Harris differ in some somewhat undemocratic in other Ca na - gov ernment, soon followed in the foot - ways, their sim ilarities are quite remar - dian provinces. However, you must keep steps of Klein’s “revolution” with its own kable. Both have often been greatly in mind that this is Alberta, known as Common Sense Revolution. underestimated. While they lack much the Texas of Canada. Democracy and For the purposes of this article, the formal education, Klein and Harris have liberty are not primary concerns in a terms right-wing and neo-conservative not only risen to high political office, province where the premier was quot - are understood as the same. They but have managed to instigate neo- ed saying, “I believe in free speech, as include, but are not limited to, a fiscally conservative “revolutions” in their res - long as you say the right thing.” conservative attitude that adopts the cor - pective prov in ces. Their leadership The Klein Conservatives just won porate agenda and social conservatism. styles and po pu larity, or lack thereof, a landslide majority in Alberta, garner - Neo-conservatives seek less government and the concept of populism will also ing 74 of 83 seats in the provincial le - intervention in society and less govern - be ad dressed in this article. In both gislature “Welcome to Ralph’s World” ment in general and thus include trends cases, the relation ship between leader is how Klein began his recent victory like privatization of gov ernment services and electorate has had important ram - speech. The fact that they won their on their agenda. Other authors call ifications for the suc cess of the neo- third term is not surprising consider - this ap proach to government and eco - conservative agenda. ing that Alberta has been a virtual one - nomic policy neo-liberal, but I am using party state for the last 30 years. (Dic - the term neo-conservative to describe the tatorships often conduct elections in new way of doing politics more compre - KLEIN order to legitimize their regimes, do hensively. I refer to it as neo-conservative they not?) What is surprising, howev - because it is a clear de parture from a “Lauded by the Wall Street Journal , Ba r - er, is that the rest of Canada seems to more traditional Con ser vative (Tory) ron’s , The New York Times , and the Globe be following in the Klein government’s approach to po l itics in Canada. and Mail , awarded by both the Fraser

76 Canadian Issues

Institute and the National Ci tizens’ porters and columnists, [which] stem med tion would also have offered time to his Coa lition, poster-boy for Satur day Night from his own experiences in TV jour - opponents. After watching an address, and Maclean’s magazines, Ralph Klein nalism.” 5 the elec torate would find it difficult —Canada’s ‘original’ Newt Gingrich— Television is a useful tool in poli - not to believe that Klein is their friend is big news. ”2 The Premier of Alber - tics; Klein’s use of this medium is part who is doing what is right for the peo - ta is well known in Canada and around of what makes him such a successful ple of Alberta. In his latest provincial the world. His government’s reforms leader. “He practise[s] political lead - address, Klein was “interviewed” by a are seen as innovative and he is viewed ership based largely on communica - reporter. In fact, the reporter —if you as a revolutionary. His political success tion.” 6 His record demonstrates that can call him that— asked Klein pre de - is quite remarkable considering his mo - he doesn’t have a clear ideology. He termined questions and the premier read dest beginnings. determines what ideology is important, the answers off a teleprompter. The re - Klein has not lived what one would what ideology will keep him in power. por ter had obviously been given the consider a normal politician’s life. First Today Klein is known as the premier ques tions ahead of time. The address of all, he is not formally educated. who fights debt and deficits. He is is not usually in the form of an inter - He drop ped out of high school and credited as being the “poster boy” for view; this alternate format was perhaps held a number of different jobs be - fore enter ing politics, including work - Klein has a unique style ing at a col lege, public relations and journal ism. As a journalist he worked of leadership, which includes his public persona, on ra dio and then on television as a his use of television to convey his reporter. Many people knew of Klein message, his populist airs, his corporatism, the journalist, and that position is often credit ed with allowing him to become and his scape-goating. mayor of Cal gary, Alberta, Canada’s fastest growi ng city, for three consec - fiscal conservatism. This is despite the meant to lend it some credibility. How - utive terms from 1980 to 1989. He fact that as mayor, Klein left ever, for anyone who paid close atten - then moved to provincial politics and with a $1.6 billion debt. It was only tion to the broadcast, it was a farce. has since won three elections. after his move to provincial politics Klein uses his televised addresses Klein’s unusual career path is just that he “became a born-again fiscal con - to simplify issues. He once used a one of the elements that makes him servative.” 7 Television allows Klein to “family” metaphor to discuss the pro v - a unique leader. He has achieved an project the image that he wants to, for ince’s economy. The province was to amaz ing feat for a politician: “the pub - he is a convincing actor. Hence, his re - be viewed as a family household. Al - lic sees [him] as ‘nonpolitical’.” 3 This cord is often forgotten by Albertans. Te - berta was described as getting its “fi- fact is mostly due to Klein’s personal - levision is all about image, and Klein nancial house in order.” 8 In this way, ity, or more specifically, his public is adept at controlling his. Klein simplified complex issues into per sona. He appears to be an ordina - One of Klein’s most useful leader - easy-to-understand more familiar ones. ry guy. “The image of Ralph Klein as ship techniques is his annual televised Furthermore, this metaphor allowed ‘ordi nary’ is deeply embedded in the provincial address. He makes his speech Klein to justify his government’s poli - minds of Albertans as one of his great - to Albertans across the (relatively) un - cies: “Once Albertans had come to est assets.” 4 mediated airwaves. His talk is re - accept these stories of the spend-thrift Klein is also very aware of the effect hears ed, and there are no political ad - family, it was easy to convince them of the media; a natural entertainer, he versaries nearby to refute or question that cutbacks to public services were likes attention and uses it to his advan - his statements. Klein uses a private te - not just a necessary evil, but good me- tage. As mayor of Calgary, Klein dis - levision station, despite the fact that dicine.” 9 These addresses provided an played his media savvy in his “ability to the pub lic-owned station has reported - unmediated avenue for Klein to tell manipulate ... particularly front-line re - ly offered him time, but the public sta - Albertans what he wanted them to be -

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lieve. Klein’s pu blic status as ordinary been extraordinarily convincing.” 14 ditions congruent with the popular cul - person allowed him to tell Alber tans Klein remains very popular today. ture 4) which expresses a group’s sense about the difficult times ahead: “Only His “government resonates with the of threat 5) arising from powerful ex - an ‘ordinary guy’ like Ralph Klein could radical new conservatism” 15 in Cana - ternal elements. 18 It is widely accept - brag about cutting people off welfare, da, and particularly in Alberta. It will ed that populism played an im portant and get away with it.” 10 Tele vision is have eliminated the provincial debt role in Alberta’s political history. The indeed one of Klein’s greatest leader - before any other province. In doing so, question is, however, is this still true ship devices. it has set a template for other provin - today? Many analysts believe that Klein cial governments, such as the Harris The fact is that the Klein government draws some of his strength from being regime in Ontario. Klein has a unique owes its popular appeal largely to its underestimated. 11 This underestima - style of leadership, which includes his leader, as does Alberta’s Pro gressive tion may stem from his ordinary guy public persona, his use of television Conservative Party. The pro vincial gov - image. Amazingly, “Faults that would to convey his message, his populist ernment took to describing itself as

have destroyed almost every politician.. . airs, his corporatism, and his scape- Ralph’s Team. The elections have large - are tolerated with Ralph.” 12 goating. He has managed to maintain ly been based around Klein himself. Albertans generally tend to sepa - power in Alberta through popular sup - In one campaign, billboards all over the rate Klein from his government’s poli - port, despite his government’s harsh province read, “He Listens, He Cares” cies. This is what most likely ac counts cutbacks. Consequently, he is accu - and featured a picture of Klein’s friend - for his continued popularity despite his rately described as “the most adept ly face. In focusing on Klein’s so-called government’s harsh cut-backs. Klein’s politician in Canada today.” 16 listening and caring attitude, the gov - 1993 victory was impressive, given the His “followers are personally and ernment “incorporated the rhetoric of electorate’s dissatisfaction with his pre - devoutly loyal to him.” 17 This is where listening and responsiveness into the decessor, . Since then, Klein’s the idea of populism comes into ques - restructuring program, arguing that its popularity has remained very high and tion. Many analysts debate whether key initiatives have been shaped by Al- only dipped during the debate sur - or not Klein is a populist. While his gov - bertans themselves.” 19 rounding Alberta’s Health Care Pro - ernment is certainly not a classical po p - It is debatable whether or not Alber - tection Act. While there has been some ulist government, it does have some ta was in need of Klein’s heroism. His public disapproval of certain policies, populist traits. Before discussing them, government, it is argued, exaggerated this was at no particular political cost the term “populist” should be clarified. the province’s financial situation in to Klein. 13 “After two years of ‘revolu - Populism is defined as: 1) a mass po - 1993 in order to create a crisis that it tion’ in Alberta, opinion polls and the li tical movement 2) based on an ima - could use to justify its policies. “The general political climate in the pro v - gined personal (i.e., unmediated) re la - Klein government has worked hard to ince show[ed] that the effective dis - tionship between leaders and followers rewrite history, portraying the [previ - course of the Klein government [had] 3) mobilized around symbols and tra - ous] Getty government as extravagant

78 Canadian Issues

spenders who drove Alberta to the brink While the Klein administration regarding policy decisions. However, the of financial ruin... [due to] out-of-con - uses populist techniques, it is not a round table discussion was a facade to trol spending.” 20 This was the claim genuinely populist regime because “its legitimize the government’s actions. After at the cen ter of the Klein gov ernment’s cor poratist practices are at variance all, it was the Klein government that re gime. 21 This populist tech nique cre - with classic populism.” 25 Cor poratism controlled both the agenda and who ated legitimacy for its policies. “Through is “a system of organizing functional participated in the talks. 31 In addi - care ful maneuvering, the Klein govern - interests and influencing public policy tion, the government turned the results ment has achieved asto nishing po l it - that involves the incorporation into from the education round tables “inside ical success” 22 for, at the end of 1996, society of ‘members’ (in dividuals, fam - out.” 32 “The report suggested little sup - “Albertans ha[d] been convinced that ilies, firms, or various groups) through port for cutting kindergarten funding in the cutbacks of Ralph Klein’s govern - a limited number of monopolistic, dif - half or for creating charter schools. ment were necessary to conquer run- ferentiated, hierarchical and involun - Half a year later, the government went away public spending.” 23 tary associations.” 26 Klein’s govern - ahead with both. They still claimed

In addition to blaming the previous ment is ac curately described as their reforms were legitimate reflections administration, Klein’s government “right-wing and cor poratist, although of the opinions of Albertans as gath - bla med numerous other factors for the certainly not without ‘popular’ sup - ered in the round tables.” 33 Thus, while province’s financial “crisis,” including port.” 27 It has even been stated that the Klein govern ment seemed to be special interest groups, such as public Klein “clearly ran a government in practicing populism, it was a facade used unions. Avoiding res pon sibility for partnership with business —govern - to justify its policies. Albertans general - one’s actions by focusing the blame ment as a joint venture.” 28 ly tend to separate Klein from his gov - elsewhere, scape-goating, is often The Klein government is known for erment’s policies and this is what most quite efficacious when it comes to pol - its attempts to quell its opposition in likely accounts for his continued popu - itics. Furthermore, Klein defines those the province. This is not a populist tac - larity despite his goverment’s harsh cut who accept his reforms as “ordinary tic. Furthermore, “a government which backs. Albertans”; this is a politically loaded claims to listen to the people, has Klein is described in a variety of term implying that there are Albertans instead centralized power, curtailed ways. “To his supporters, he is the ebul - who are abnormal simply be cause they civil democracy and privatized public lient maverick of the Canadian north - do not support his government’s poli - life.” 29 Some analysts argue that, “Klein west frontier, a cunning and savvy loner cies. Klein uses terms like “commu - and the people around him reinvented who is reestablishing the private val - nists,” “whiners,” and “left-wing nuts” the structure of public discussion” 30 in ues and public mores of rural self-re - to describe those who oppose his poli - Alberta. This was illus trated by the liance and urban entrepreneurship.” 34 cies. 24 By focusing the debate on an government’s 1993 “round table” dis - To his opponents, he is the leader “us vs. them” mentality, the Klein gov - cussion. In a seemingly populist move, who is ushering in a new form of gov - ernment has avoided a lot of criticism. the government sought public input ernment that threatens the welfare

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state that many Canadians value. Klein gary mayor, he oversaw huge spend - them.” 46 Moreover, “For Mike Harris, is either “loved or hated [by Alber tans]... ing increases and was widely suspect - consultation seemed to mean speak - there is no middle ground.” 35 ed to have Liberal sympathies. Mike ing with those who agreed with his Harris, by contrast, is a lifelong small- views.” 47 That lack of communication government Tory who drafted his Com - with the electorate has been demon - HARRIS mon Sense Revolution 18 months strated often during the Harris years before the 1995 election that brought and is perhaps a motivating factor in Not unlike Klein, Ontario’s Mike him to power. 41 Nonetheless, he has the electorate’s various responses to Harris is described as a “down-homey followed Klein’s lead. Harris admits the administration. It is difficult to guy” who is “remarkably determi ned.” 36 that “while [his] plan was tailored to defend the premier’s claim to populism Cha racterized as “an outsider geo grap - On tario’s needs, the province needed when one considers the evidence hically, professionally and poli ti cal ly,” 37 the kind of leadership which Ralph against it. he dropped out of college and drifted Klein had shown in Alberta,” 42 and Harris is often described as a polit - between jobs for fifteen years. His that the “blueprint” for change is in ical outsider because of his middle- class origins and the fact that he comes from the political periphery of Nor th - Being an outsider to the party elite ern On tario. Being an outsider to the is another similarity be tween Harris and Klein. party elite is another similarity bet ween Despite this both men ma naged to seize Harris and Klein. Despite this disad - van tage, however, both men ma naged the leadership of established, mainstream to seize the leadership of es tab lished, party organizations. mainstream party organizations with long histories in government. Even more remarkable is that they did so despite career path is quite unusual for a pre - Alberta. 43 There are numerous simila - considerable op po sition from their par - mier of Ontario. He taught elemen - rities be tween Harris and Klein. ty’s traditional eli tes. In a sense, Klein tary-school math and science; he was Harris’ public persona is that of an and Harris hijacked their own par - a golf-pro; he served as a trustee on a ordinary guy, just like Klein’s. Critics ties, something they could do only be - school board; and eventually he chaired suggest that while “he work[s] hard at cause their parties were temporarily the board. “This background is partic - creating an image as a populist... the in trouble, out of power and out of ularly interesting in light of Harris’ real Mike Harris [is] not quite as fo lk - favor with the voters. 48 Unlike Klein, later antipathy towards public educa - sy as he appear[s].” 44 Harris’ popu - Harris is not widely regarded as hav - tion and government funding.” 38 lism is quite questionable, despite the ing populist ten dencies despite their He has a “rigid commitment to the fact that his government was recently similar outsider status. The Harris gov - neo-conservative agenda” 39 and “is often reelected. ernment, unlike Klein’s, has faced a portrayed as a conservative-at-all-costs Harris is criticized by his opponents lot of public criticism. Critics blame ideologue whose overriding philosophy for not listening to his electorate and the confron ta tion in Ontario on “the is to reduce the role of government his government is described as autho - premier’s abra sive personality and his wherever possible.” 40 His ideology is ritarian, not populist. “The right-wing government’s au tho ritarian manage - often contrasted to Klein’s: some ob - ideologue and populist are evident in ment style.” 49 At the heart of the pro - servers believe Mr. Harris is also a more the scripted moments, while the rigid blem “is the premier himself”; 50 this genuine conservative, in a philosoph - authoritarian with the petty streak ap - is the opposite from Alberta. The Ha- ical sense, than Ralph Klein. The lat - pears when the premier strays from his rris regime seems to be plagued by ter had no reputation for conservative game plan.” 45 Thus, “If people disagree... con frontation. Some critics blame the behavior be fore taking over as premier with his agenda, so be it. They [are] speed with which the Harris govern - —indeed, quite the opposite: as Cal - free to protest, and he [is] free to ig nore ment im plemented reforms, under -

80 Canadian Issues

scored by Ontario’s “me ga week” of He has obviously changed his stance IMPLICATIONS FOR CANADA legislative changes. During that week on the issue. This is in direct contrast it was claimed that: “Mike Harris to Klein in Alberta who is so confi - “While Alberta is not alone in em - [might] surpass Ralph Klein as Ca- dent in his recent record that he cam - bracing ‘new right’ fiscal policies... it is nada’s most revolutionary premier.” 51 paigns using the slogan, “He keeps his notable for the pace and intensity of While this claim has not been sub - promises.” Harris blames all opposi - its approach, making it an illuminat - stantiated, Harris’ speed of reform is tion to his agenda on special interest ing and timely case study in the Ca - noteworthy. groups. Just as Klein has done in Al- nadian context.” 56 The Klein govern - “Harris has always maintained it berta, Harris is attemp ting to create ment has “used its crusade against the was the agenda of the ‘Common Sense an “us vs. them” mentality in Ontario. deficit... [to initiate] a government pro - Revolution,’ not his personality or his This kind of leadership technique, gram of social engineering, the re-order - government’s style of managing pub - however, does not seem to be working ing of societal institutions and priori - lic affairs, that produced four years of as well as it did in Alberta; the eviden - ties to fit a particular ideological mould confrontation, violent protest and oc - ce is in the sheer number of Onta - that is virtually without precedent in casional riots in the streets of normal - ly sedate Ontario.” 52 However, polls have demonstrated that people are Harris is attemp ting to create an “us vs. them” not satisfied with Harris’ leadership; mentality in Ontario. This kind of leadership “the character of the man in charge... technique is not working; the eviden ce is in is directly responsible for the problems his government has had in implement - the sheer numbers of Onta rians ing its agenda.” 53 Harris, say his critics, who have participated in the protests. is not living up to the expectations that Ontario voters have of their political elites. 54 rians who have participated in the recent Canadian history.” 57 While six Harris resembles Klein insofar as protests. This can perhaps be explained other Canadian pro vinces were pro - he has loyal supporters. Klein, howev - by Ontario’s political culture: Ontario jecting balanced budgets for the er, has not experienced the same level has a long tradition of group rights 1995-1996 year, these accomplish - of personal attacks as Ontario’s pre - and unions, and other organized inter - ments were overshadowed by Alberta. 58 mier. Mike Harris has endured end - ests wich are much more powerful in Alberta is now regarded as a model for less assaults on his character. He was On tario than in union-wary Alberta. neo- and else - even nicknamed “Chainsaw Mike” by By contrast, Alberta does not have a where around the world. The province , the former premier of On - history of collective protest, making it is viewed as a trend setter. “It isn’t On - tario. The level of public outrage de - easier for Klein to successfully blame tario that is leading Canada down this monstrated in Ontario is in part attri - any opposition on special interest path to wards a market based morali - butable to certain campaign promises groups. Thus, political culture accounts ty... It’s Ralph Klein’s Alberta.” 59 Onta - that the Harris government broke: it for the success of Klein’s strategy in rio is following in Alberta’s footsteps. stated that it would not touch health individualistic Alberta, and for the rel - The evidence suggests that: “Alber - care and education, and once elected, ative failure of that Harris leadership ta’s greatest export used to be its oil; proceeded to do so. Ironically, Harris technique. now, as Ontario attests, it’s Klein’s model once said, “I think it’s reasonable that While Harris has faced massive of how to remake government.” 60 More - politicians who campaign in a direction protests, the fact remains that he con - over, “the unexpected 1995 election of or on a platform for things that are tinues to lead Ontario. His government Conservative Premier Mike Harris in within their control, that they ought to was reelected in 1999. He received 45 Ontario and the reelec tions of two other resign or go back to the people if they in percent of the vote. Most of his sup porters budget-balancing premiers, Tory Gary fact are going to change their minds.” 55 were upper-middle class and urban. Filmon in Mani toba and Social Dem -

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ocratic Roy Romanow in Saskat ch - the center of the political spectrum 4 Gillian Steward, “Klein the Chameleon,” in The Trojan Horse, op. cit., p. 23. e wan, indicate... that the sustained pop - and moving to the right. Neo-conser - ularity of Premier Klein’s tough, aus - vatism has the potential to profoundly 5 Ibid., p. 28. tere government is more than just influence Ca nadian politics. It already 6 61 Marc Lisac, The Klein Revolution (: ...quirky Alberta.” The success of the dominates the agendas of the provin - NeWest Press, 1993), p. 78. Klein revolution illustrates a shift in cial governments in two of Canada’s ideology: “Until recently, only the lu - most important provinces. 7 Steward, op. cit., p. 32. natic fringe of Canadian politics has 8 Kevin Taft, Shredding the Public Interest: voiced support for the extreme right- Ralph Klein and 25 Years of One-Party Gov - wing ideas that underlie the pathology CONCLUSION ernment (Edmonton: The University of Al - berta Press/The Parkland Institute, 1997), of American life... With the Klein gov - pp. 85-86. ernment, however, these ideas have at Despite the different reactions to 9 last found a Trojan Horse for entering neo-conservatism in Alberta and On - Idem. into Canadian public discourse and tario, an important fact remains: both 10 Steward, op. cit., p. 33.

11 Frank Dabbs, Ralph Klein: A Maverick Life Both Alberta and Ontario have (Vancouver: Greystone Books, 1995), p. 174. demonstrated authoritarian tendencies. 12 Barry Cooper, The Klein Achievement (To - ronto: University of , Faculty of Ma n - Neo-conservatism has the potential to profoundly agement, Center for Public Mana gement, 1996), p. 46. influence Ca nadian politics. It already dominates two of Canada’s most important provinces. 13 Claude Denis, “Government Can Do Whatever It Wants,” Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology 32 (3), August 1995, p. 370.

14 Idem. policy, and thereby fundamentally the Klein and Harris governments chang ing the nature of Canada.” 62 Ca n - were reelected. The right-wing men - 15 Dabbs, op. cit., p. 173. ada’s current status as a welfare state tality has most assuredly begun to 16 Trevor Harrison, “Making the Trains Run on is in jeopardy, as is its sovereignty and permeate into the rest of Canada at Time: Corporatism in Alberta,” The Trojan democracy. both the provincial and federal levels. Horse , op.cit., p. 123. Both Alberta and Ontario have de - The question is, therefore, not if neo- 17 Trevor Harrison, “The Changing Face of monstrated authoritarian tendencies conservatism will influence Canadian Prairie Politics: Populism in Alberta,” Prairie that threaten democracy. These ten - politics more pervasively, but when it Forum no. 1 (spring 2000), p. 111. dencies include hurrying bills through will, and how the rest of the Ca na - 18 Ibid., p. 108. the legislature to avoid de bate, at - dian public will react to it. tempting to by-pass the legislature’s 19 Karen D. Hughes et al., “Public Attitudes authority by asking it to pre-approve Towards Budget Cuts in Alberta: Biting the NOTES Bullet or Feeling the Pain?,” Canadian Public cabinet decisions on blank sec tions Policy 22 (3), September 1996, p. 271. of legislation and discouraging public 1 Special thanks to Dr. Julián Castro Rea for 20 Taft, op. cit., p. 25. input by ignoring certain portions of his input on this article. their respective electo rates. These 21 Idem. 2 Trevor Harrison and Gordon Laxer, “Intro - trends are quite disconcerting and duction,” The Trojan Horse , Trevor Harrison 22 Ibid., p. 1. have the potential to influence more and Gordon Laxer, eds. (Montreal: Black Rose Books Ltd., 1995), p. 2. 23 than just Alberta and Ontario as other Idem. provincial governments begin to fol - 3 Joanne Helmer, “Redefining Normal: Life in 24 Harrison, “The Changing Face of Prairie the New Alberta,” The Trojan Horse , Trevor Politics: Populism in Alberta,” p. 117. low the Klein government’s lead. Ca - Harrison and Gordon Laxer, eds. (Montreal: nadian ideology is shifting away from Black Rose Books Ltd., 1995), p. 72. 25 Idem.

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26 Ibid., p. 118. 38 Ibid., p. 153. 50 Idem.

27 Trevor Harrison, “Making the Trains Run 39 Ibid., p. 157. 51 Cosh, op. cit., p. 10. on Time: Corporatism in Alberta,” op. cit., 52 p. 119. 40 Wilson-Smith, op. cit., p. 9. Jeffrey, op. cit., p. 151.

28 53 Ibid., p. 149. Lisac, op. cit., p. 152. 41 Colby Cosh, ”A Megaweek to remember: Mike Harris may surpass Ralph Klein as 54 29 Harrison and Laxer, op. cit., p. 3. Canada’s most revolutionary premier,” Al- Ibid., p. 150. ber ta Report vol. 24 (8), 3 February 1997, 55 30 Lisac, op. cit., p. 143. p. 11. Mr. Silly’s Friends, Quotations from Chain saw Mike (Toronto: ECW Press, 1997), p. 62. 31 Ibid., p. 144. 42 Christina Blizzard, Right Turn: How the 56 Tories Took Ontario (Toronto, Dandurn Press Hugues et al., op. cit., p. 270. 32 Ibid., p. 145. Ltd., 1995), p. 95. 57 Idem. 43 33 Idem. Ibid., p. 96. 58 Melville L. McMillan, Leading the way or miss - 44 Jeffrey, op. cit., p. 156. 34 Dabbs, op. cit., p. 173. ing the mark? The Klein government fiscal plan (Edmonton: University of Alberta, Western 45 Ibid., pp. 156-157. Center for Economic Research, 1996), p. 2. 35 Idem.

46 Ibid., p. 214. 59 Harrison and Laxer, op. cit., p. 1. 36 Anthony Wilson-Smith, “The Mike Harris School of Politics,” Maclean’s , vol. 110 (45) 47 Idem. 60 10 November 1997, p. 9. Ibid, p. 2.

48 Ibid., p. 440. 61 37 Brooke Jeffrey , Hard Right Turn: The New Dabbs, op. cit., p. ix. Face of Neo-Conservatism in Canada (Toron to: 49 Harper Collins Publishers Ltd., 1995), p. 152. Ibid., p. 152. 62 Harrison and Laxter, op. cit., p. 4.

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