Corporate Alberta roots for Dinning to lead Tories
CALGARY -- If there is one phrase that strikes fear in the heart of Corporate Alberta, it's this: Premier Ted Morton.
That's why, given a poll released early yesterday showing Jim Dinning and Ted Morton in a virtual dead heat for the Progressive Conservative party leadership, the business community will be on pins and needles this weekend when provincial Tories elect their new leader.
And lest there be any doubt, the corporate types across the province are rooting for former treasurer Dinning because of his experience in both the political and business milieus.
"We need a leader who can represent Alberta's economic interests -- speaking the language of business -- not just on the national stage, but on the international one," said one long-time Tory insider emphatically. "Contrast that with someone like Ted Morton, who has never run anything other than his classroom. That's not what this province needs today."
Mr. Morton has been the subject of much ridicule this week, thanks to his cheesy campaign song done in a twangy country-and-western style. Its lyrics state he "will guard Alberta's future and all that we hold dear," and end with "Ted Morton's the man . . . with the plan."
So galvanized, in fact, are these folks about Mr. Dinning being the right guy to lead Alberta forward that they are trying to cross party lines and enlist Liberals and New Democrats in the cause.
A brunch held last Sunday morning in Calgary is but one example. About 50 people gathered in the southwest Calgary home of a couple who are ardent federal Liberals to meet, greet and eat with Mr. Dinning. There was also a bit of membership selling going on, too -- even to the Liberals.
One of the reasons this pair threw their support behind Mr. Dinning is because they believe he is the candidate who best combines fiscal conservatism with social responsibility, and isn't just focused on how big the budget surplus is going to be.
Much is being made of the fact this race is Calgary v. Edmonton -- Mark Norris and Dave Hancock (Edmonton) against Jim Dinning (Calgary), or rural Alberta pitted against the urban centres with Lyle Oberg, Ed Stelmach (rural) in one corner and urbanite Jim Dinning in another. Or red Tory versus blue Tory - Jim Dinning (red) fighting against former University of Calgary professor and current senator-in-waiting, Ted Morton (blue).
But what it all comes down to is who has the best vision for the province and can represent its interests on the national and international stage.
Contrary to what many might think, Mr. Dinning's support isn't restricted to the glass towers of downtown Calgary. He did yeoman-like work this summer travelling throughout rural Alberta with his wife, Evelyn Main, who hails from a small town, to soften the corporate image that sometimes doesn't go over well in rural areas. "We told him, 'Jim, you have to get out and shake hands,' and that's what he did," said Jack Donald, chairman of Canadian Western Bank and founder of Parkland Industries Ltd. of Red Deer. "So he went to the auction marts and community events in small towns all over the province, and got to know people where they live."
That's a key reason why Mr. Donald, who has known Mr. Dinning for the better part of two decades and was on the TransAlta Corp. board when Mr. Dinning was executive vice-president there, hasn't wavered in his support. Another reason is Mr. Dinning's résumé.
"If this was a corporate position I was hiring for, when I look at him relative to the other candidates, he's the best qualified for the job," Mr. Donald said. "He's well-trained from both the business and political perspectives. When he got out of school he went to work for (former premier) Peter Lougheed. It doesn't get much better than that."
Ross Grieve, chief executive officer of Edmonton-based construction giant PCL Constructors Inc. and a former member of the board of governors at the University of Alberta, is in the Dinning camp, too.
Mr. Grieve has known Mr. Dinning since the latter was treasurer and their kids were in a preschool carpool together. He believes Mr. Dinning can establish a plan for the province that addresses the long-term challenges of education and health care because of his range of experience and ability to build consensus. "We need a government that can give certainty to these institutions from a funding standpoint so they can go forward with their own plans and better meet the needs of Albertans today and in the future," he said.
Alberta's Tories have a golden opportunity to choose someone who will lead the province out of stagnation. With any luck, it will be the candidate who is both progressive, conservative and inclusive.
