u/VE6QLF

Note: I didn't write this, but I want to see the Tory party do well.

Conservatives Are Looking for a Home

Saturday afternoon was about as Alberta as it gets.

Under bright sunshine at Centennial Park in Sherwood Park, families gathered outdoors over hot dogs and brisket while Peter Guthrie met with supporters and answered questions. The atmosphere was relaxed, optimistic, and remarkably different from the anger that so often dominates political discourse today.

I attended to listen.

What I found was not a gathering driven by slogans or outrage, but by concern for the future of Alberta and a genuine belief that conservative principles deserve better representation than they are receiving today.

The crowd itself was telling.

These were not political extremists or professional activists. They were the kind of Albertans many of us have known our entire lives: business owners, professionals, retired executives, former senior public servants, communications specialists, auditors, engineers, and experts from across Alberta's energy sector—not just oil and gas. People who have spent decades building careers, managing organizations, and contributing to the province.

One encouraging development since the last event I attended was the growth of the organization itself. The Tory Party of Alberta now has approximately thirty constituency associations established and is working toward all ninety-one provincial ridings. Building a credible alternative is never easy, but it appears to be gaining momentum.

What impressed me most, however, was the calibre of people becoming involved.

Several of the individuals I spoke with came from senior positions within Alberta's public service. Others brought decades of private-sector leadership. They weren't interested in ideological battles. They were interested in restoring competent government.

That distinction matters.

One question following Peter Guthrie's remarks focused on Alberta's energy future. The conversation naturally included the province's decision to turn away more than $30 billion in proposed renewable energy investment through regulatory changes and project uncertainty.

Whether one supports renewable energy or not is almost beside the point.

Governments have every right—and responsibility—to regulate industries. The question is whether regulations are being applied consistently and in the public interest.

That inconsistency became difficult to ignore when the provincial government later demonstrated its willingness to adjust or waive regulations to facilitate major data centre investments. If regulatory flexibility exists for one form of investment, it is reasonable to ask why similar efforts were not made to preserve investment opportunities in another sector.

That is not an argument for eliminating regulation. It is an argument for predictable, transparent governance that encourages investment rather than creating uncertainty.

Peter Guthrie also outlined two cornerstone pieces of legislation that a Tory government would introduce.

Bill 1: The Accountability and Transparency Act

The proposed Accountability and Transparency Act is intended to rebuild public confidence in government by strengthening openness, ethics, and accountability. Among its measures are greater transparency around major contracts and appointments, stronger access-to-information provisions, enhanced whistleblower protections, independent oversight of significant government decisions, and meaningful consequences when public officials fail to meet their obligations.

The message was straightforward: public office is a position of trust, and that trust must be earned through openness, accountability, and integrity.

Bill 2: Accessible Alberta

The proposed Accessible Alberta legislation focuses on ensuring Albertans can participate fully in their communities, workplaces, and public services. It includes restoring the $200 reduction to AISH, addressing gaps in existing support programs, improving accessibility across government services, investing in accessible infrastructure, and expanding opportunities in education and employment for Albertans living with disabilities.

Beyond those two bills, Peter also outlined broader policy commitments that reflect the party's approach to governance. These include repealing the current uses of the Notwithstanding Clause, restricting its future use to truly exceptional circumstances following judicial review, and repealing the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act. He also reaffirmed the party's commitment to Alberta's future as a strong and influential province within a united Canada, emphasizing constructive federalism over political confrontation.

While those proposals generated considerable interest, the conversations throughout the afternoon returned repeatedly to a broader concern.

Trust.

Nearly every discussion eventually came back to confidence in government.

Many people expressed a belief that Alberta has drifted away from governing toward governing for politics. They spoke about short-term political strategy replacing long-term stewardship. Several former public servants described increasing constraints within government itself, including tighter operational budgets and expense controls, even as provincial spending and debt continue to grow.

Whether every participant would describe the situation the same way is beside the point.

The common thread was unmistakable: many lifelong conservatives no longer believe the current government reflects the values they have traditionally associated with conservatism.

Peter Guthrie also spoke candidly about Alberta's fiscal future. He expressed concern about the province's long-term financial direction and questioned whether government is making decisions that future generations will be forced to pay for.

He referenced the resignation of Alberta's former finance minister as a moment that raised important questions. Why did such an experienced minister leave? Albertans may never know every detail, but leadership changes at that level naturally invite scrutiny when confidence in government is already under strain.

Those are questions that deserve thoughtful answers rather than speculation.

Leaving Centennial Park, what stayed with me was not a particular policy announcement or even the details of two proposed pieces of legislation.

It was the people.

For years, much of the political commentary surrounding Alberta has suggested that conservatives are moving steadily toward a more populist brand of politics. My experience this afternoon suggested something more nuanced. The people I met weren't asking for perfection or looking for someone to blame. They were looking for competent government, honest leadership, and decisions guided by stewardship rather than political expediency.

There remains a large group of Albertans who believe conservatism should be grounded in integrity, fiscal responsibility, ethical government, accountability, and competent administration. They have not abandoned those principles. Rather, many no longer believe they are being reflected by the current government.

Walking back to my car, I realized the afternoon hadn't really been about one political party or even two proposed bills. It was about something much larger. It was about whether Alberta can rebuild trust in its public institutions and restore confidence that government exists to serve the public interest rather than political interests.

Whether the Tory Party of Alberta ultimately becomes that home is a decision voters will make in the next election. But after spending an afternoon listening rather than speaking, I came away convinced that many traditional conservatives are still searching for a government that reflects the values they have always believed conservatism should represent.

Further Information

If today's article resonated with you, I encourage you to learn more before making up your own mind.

If you have been a lifelong conservative but no longer feel represented by the direction of the current Alberta government, the Tory Party of Alberta may be worth exploring. Whether you ultimately support the party or not, an informed democracy benefits when citizens examine ideas firsthand rather than relying solely on headlines or social media commentary.

You can learn more by visiting:

The Tory Party of Alberta - https://www.albertatory.ca/ Peter Guthrie – https://www.facebook.com/peterguthrie99 Tory Party Community Forum (Facebook) – https://www.facebook.com/groups/491513598224058

Read the policies. Attend an event. Ask questions. Meet the people. Then decide for yourself.

A Final Observation

One question surfaced several times during the afternoon: Would a growing Tory Party simply split the conservative vote and guarantee another UCP government?

It's a reasonable question, but elections are rarely that simple.

Much will depend on where support comes from and how it is distributed across Alberta. The NDP appears likely to retain much of its existing support, while the Tory Party is primarily competing for voters who no longer identify with the UCP. As the political landscape evolves, a Legislature with three significant parties becomes increasingly possible.

What matters most is not speculation about election-night mathematics, but giving Albertans a genuine choice. Healthy democracies are strengthened when voters have credible alternatives that better reflect their values.

The refreshed Alberta Tory website is up!

K Westlock, your turn! Come see me, your (hopeful!) Tory candidate and grab a snack.

Tory hopeful Aaron Conner, for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock

A recap of the Sherwood Park BBQ