PC Alberta - Putting a New Saddle on an Old Horse?

All she needs is a new saddle.

Ok.

So Allison Redford has officially entered the race to replace.

And the buzz you are sure to hear is that the PC party is in the process of "revitalizing" or "reinventing" or some such thing, suggesting that they are the process of somehow becoming something other than what they are.

A tired horse that's been ridden too far, for too long.

And it's pretty obvious that if you put a new saddle on a old horse, it still won't run, will it?

Of course, not everyone is looking to put a new saddle on that old nag.

Buzz in the street is that Gary Mar will come back to "save" the party.

Look.

I like Gary Mar, he's  a bright guy whose been hanging out in Washington, D.C. for a while and the PC Party will tell you that he's become well connected to our biggest trading partner, and is the perfect fit for the leader of this Province.

Problem is, what they won't remind you is why he's been gone.  Why he's gone all "Michael Ignatieff" on the Province since 2007.

Let me take you back to a little conversation in the Legislature May 12, 2004 (page 1391):

Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to public accounts tabled yesterday, the Department of Health and Wellness awarded almost $ 120,000 in contracts to Charlebois Consulting, a company 100 per cent owned by the minister of health's former executive assistant Kelley Charlebois. In fact, in the two years since Kelley Charlebois left his position with the minister, the Minister of Health and Wellness has awarded a total of over $250,000 in contracts. My questions are to the Minister of Health and Wellness. How does the minister explain giving over a quarter of a million dollars in government contracts to a PR firm owned by his former executive assistant?

Mr. Mar: Let me say first of all that that would include the expenses that were incurred in the conduct of this business, but most of all, Mr. Speaker, we get very, very good value and excellent advice from Mr. Charlebois.

The Speaker: The hon. leader.

Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the minister tell us what reports Charlebois Consulting has completed for Health and Wellness, and would he table them, please?

Mr. Mar: Mr. Speaker, there are no reports as such.

The Speaker: The hon. leader.

Dr. Taft: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the minister tell us whether Charlebois Consulting won these contracts through a competitive process?

Mr. Mar: No, Mr. Speaker.

Really?  $250,000.00 to your buddy and no report or work product provided?

What..?  It wasn't $250,000.00?

Sorry.

It was $374,000.00, for "Secret Advice".

They just don't get it.  The ability to appoint people to boards and such, the ability to hire consultants and other services is a right that is held in trust for the citizens of this Province.  It is no less than the Government holding onto your wallet and being obligated to use your money at your direction and in your best interests.

And they're getting ready to invite Gary Mar back into the fold with open arms.

They just don't get it.

This old horse needs to be put down.