alberta tory watch update!

A couple of Alberta political updates...

- It appears that former Tory Cabinet Minister Mark Norris' campaign for the Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership is being backed up by some pretty influential corporate heavy hitters. The list includes Murray Edwards, vice-chairman of Canadian Natural Resources and one of Canada's wealthiest people; Barry Heck, President and CEO of Westaim Corp; Guy Turcotte, chairman of Western Oilsands; and Edmonton Oilers part-owner Cal Nichols.

We find it very interesting that heavy hitters like those mentioned would come out and support Mr. Norris' after he lost his seat of Edmonton McClung to Liberal Mo Elsalhy last November...

We also wonder how long it will take before they jump ship to Team Dinning...

- It's been reported by The Armet Report that former St. Albert Tory MLA Mary O'Neill has been appointed Executive Director of the Edmonton-based Glenrose Foundation. Ms. O'Neill, who served as MLA for St. Albert from 1997 to 2004, was defeated last November by Liberal Jack Flaherty. Our sources in St. Albert tell us that Ms. O'Neill is hinting a run in the next provincial election.

Interestingly, one of Ms. O'Neill's former colleagues, Drew Hutton (Tory MLA Edmonton Glenora 2001-2004) served as Executive Director of the same organization before becoming an MLA. Glenrose Foundation Trustees include former Liberal MLA Sine Chadi (MLA Edmonton Roper 1993-1997) and former Director of the Edmonton Glenora Progressive Conservatives, Ms. Nancy Cumming.

- We find it quite silly that former Calgary Currie Tory MLA Jon Lord still has his MLA website up and running after being defeated by Liberal Dave Taylor over a year ago... (did someone forget to tell him that he's no longer the MLA?)