The "Whack-a-Mole" Effect: Is Anything Sticking to Alberta's UCP Government?
Since Danielle Smith was sworn in as the 19th Premier of Alberta in October 2022, leading the United Conservative Party (UCP) — a political force established in 2017 and holding majority mandates since 2019 — a growing sentiment of frustration has permeated public discourse. Many Calgarians feel a startling lack of accountability from the provincial government, prompting questions about whether any controversy, no matter how significant, can truly "stick."
A Strategy of Saturation: The "Trump Tactic" in Action
This perception of resilience in the face of scandal has led some to suggest the UCP government has adopted a political strategy known as the "Trump tactic" or "flood the zone." This involves an incessant barrage of controversies and chaotic news, designed to overwhelm media, the public, and opposition alike. The goal? To dominate news cycles, control narratives, and ultimately, hinder accountability by making it impossible to focus on any single issue.
Calgary's Direct Experience with Provincial Policies
The impact of this approach is acutely felt in Calgary. Recent provincial maneuvers include the extensive restructuring of Alberta Health Services (AHS), which by November 2025 will dismantle the existing zone system into four new agencies. This "hostility toward public institutions" extends to the Auditor General's office, where a UCP-majority committee in November 2025 deferred crucial funding to audit this very health-care overhaul, raising concerns about transparency. Economically, Calgarians face a proposed 5.4% residential property tax hike, with former Mayor Jyoti Gondek advocating for a significant reduction amidst housing affordability challenges. Furthermore, Gondek had publicly criticized the province's April 2025 proposal to abolish municipal council codes of conduct, arguing it erodes local accountability and public trust.
What Cuts Through the Noise?
Given this relentless stream of provincial policy shifts and controversies, a critical question emerges from the community: What truly impactful query could be posed to Premier Smith or the UCP that would cut through the noise? What single question could expose their greatest weakness, address an indefensible scandal, and genuinely move the needle for Albertans? The challenge, it seems, is finding a moment of clarity amidst the constant political "whack-a-mole" to demand real answers.
