TORONTO - Anti-Alberta comments by Liberal leadership frontrunner Justin Trudeau and MP David McGuinty likely had an impact on a tight byelection race in Calgary, Premier Alison Redford said Tuesday.
"It may have had an impact — I would expect it probably did had an impact," she said after speaking at a conference on public-private partnerships in Toronto.
"But more importantly, on a moving-forward basis, I would just suggest to anyone in politics that it's better to be constructive than divisive."
Trudeau apologized last week for comments he made in a 2010 interview, where he blamed Canada's problems on Albertans controlling "our community and socio-democratic agenda."
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TheMajor
Trudeau really stepped into it in Alberta eh?
Quebec leader????
Paul McLeod
No one outside of Alberta cares that Trudeau dissed Alberta. But the appearance of favoritism for Quebec, that hits a nerve.
Karen Robson
Trudeau said something bad about Alberta. Since when are cowboys so sensitive?
Karen Robson
I'm from Alberta. Trudeau is right.
Darren Kirkham
If anti-Alberta Justin Trudeau is elected, Western Canada should separate.
Kelly Robson
Anti-Alberta Trudeau interview reminds Canadians why the Liberals were voted out
Dave Limacher
Is Justin Trudeau still popular in Alberta today?
Zoey Duncan
Part of me is offended by Trudeau’s anti-Alberta comments. Part of me wonders who are these nasty Albertans giving rest of us a bad name.
Տҝ∆₩ﾅ
Justin Trudeau just keeps bashing #alberta. If you live in Western Canada and vote for Trudeau,hit yourself with a frying pan. #yeg #yyc
Chris_T
Hey to break it to the tories but if they attack justin trudeau as "anti alberta" it may work for him
Peter Mansbridge
Justin Trudeau found out what it's really like to play in the big leagues today. And Andrew Chantal and Bruce are eager to talk about it.
Steve Murray
If I were Trudeau I would get out in front of this thing and challenge anyone to a boxing match.
Susan Delacourt
I've watched a lot of TV on Trudeau's comments tonight but with rare exceptions, only non-Liberals speaking. What's that about? #cdnpoli
Art Middleton
btw, it's comments like those from Justin Trudeau that convince me Alberta is better off as it's own country.
Sean Dicks
@petermansbridge all the dirty secrets will come out now. It's not even election time! Are the Cons threatened?
David Akin
Long history of English reporters ignoring what happens across the river, my guess. MT @aaronwherry: How did Trudeau comments escape notice
Angela
I said it earlier and I'll say again. Justin Trudeau makes Thomas Mulcair appear sane. #cdnpoli #shinypony #tcot
Keith Torrie
To those upset by Trudeau's Alberta comments remember we have a Prime Minister who said Atlantic Canada has a "culture of defeat". #cdnpoli
Wade Prue
Hold the phones everyone; a Liberal spoke out against western focused political interests. Honestly, I am stunned. http://t.co/VnTCtcJP
Rosalind Robertson
Let us all learn a valuable PR lesson: Tape never dies. #justintrudeau http://t.co/hwGkTe6a
Manny Montenegrino
Cause most LPC agree with western bigotry sentiments MT @SusanDelacourt: .only non-Liberals speaking Trudeau's comments. What's that about?
Brittany Steele
Aghhhhh Trudeau *palm face* CTV News: Conservatives seize on Trudeau's Alberta remarks as byelection fight heats up http://t.co/7KgYhFRB
scott faulconbridge
Justin Trudeau caught on video with anti Albertan slant. SUN NEWS journalists will take turns masterbating to the video for the next week.
Nic Ruszkowski
So Trudeau controversy asks if Laurier, St-Laurent, Trudeau, Mulroney, Chrétien were better for Canada than Bennett, Clark and Harper...
Isaac
Trudeau should just come out and back the stamps in the grey cup. Problem solved.
Shaggy
#nevervoteliberal Ahhh...the old #Trudeau #Liberal #Quebec arrogance comes out again. Justin's comments on AB in 2010 http://t.co/vBtx30Xy
Kristy Kirkup
The govt now wants #LPC to fire Trudeau from his portfolio as critic for amateur sport, suggests 2010 comments were "anti-Alberta" #cdnpoli
Clint Upham
TOstar headline: "Justin Trudeau faces uproar for alleged anti-Alberta comments" Alleged?! He said it! via @PartyOfSunshine cc: @shephardm
colin horgan
The NDP is jumping on the Trudeau Alberta comments, too. @nathancullen speaks to how great Alberta is #hoc
Miss June
Trudeau anti-alberta bias- hardly believe he has changed his tune since 2010. He was raised by his father after all. http://t.co/7W1QPQF4
LeighPatrickSullivan
Wonder if Harvey Locke knows no good Liberals come from Alberta, according to J Trudeau. #tcot #yyccentre #yyc #abpoli #ShinyPony
Darren Kirkham
Anti Alberta comments "Taken out of context" Justin Trudeau? Proves he is arrogant and delusional. #cdnpoli #abpoli #qcpoli
McGuinty — brother of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty — resigned his critic's portfolio after being quoted calling Alberta MPs "shills'' for the oil industry and suggesting they "go home" and run for town council if they want to be so parochial.
The comments, particularly those by Trudeau, appeared to stall Liberal momentum in Calgary Centre.
The party's hopes for an upset victory in that riding were dashed Monday night when Conservative Joan Crockatt won by a margin of just over a thousand votes over Liberal challenger Harvey Locke.
The divisive comments likely influenced voters in Alberta, who want leaders who can show that they can work with people across the country, Redford said.
THE RACE THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE
CROCKATT WINS.. BUT JUST BARELY
A VOTE-SPLITTING VICTORY
Anyone seeking a national leadership role shouldn't be promoting divisions among Canadians, she added.
But that doesn't necessarily mean that the Liberals are moribund in Western Canada. There are a number of "interesting" candidates in the Liberal leadership race, Redford said.
"There's always room, I think, for new ideas and new perspectives and we'll see what happens in the next year," she said. "I think it'll be an exciting year for politics in Canada."
But the Tory premier, who represents a Calgary riding, said she was happy to see Crockatt win the byelection.
Crockatt will be a "fantastic" MP, having been a strong advocate for the community, the city and the province, Redford said.
"And I think she's very thoughtful with respect to issues on the national stage," she added.
"From my perspective, I see it as electing someone who will be able to participate in a national conversation."
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version erroneously reported that Redford represented the riding of Calgary Centre provincially.
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CP | By The Canadian Press Posted: 11/27/2012 10:57 am EST Updated: 11/27/2012 4:43 pm EST