The Calgary Stampede has more than a rodeo, cowboy hats and horses; it is also a great opportunity for politicians.
Regardless of their political lines, they travel to the city seeking partisan support in the form of votes.
The 10-day festival that celebrates the lifestyle of cowboys has attracted all federal leaders, who often take on the character of dueling gunmen seeking votes in a game of a good political standard.
Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a regular visitor to the Stampede, as have leaders of the Federal Conservatives, the NDP and the Green Party.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to a crowd gathered Sunday at a pancake breakfast hosted by Liberal MP George Chahal. (Helen Pike / CBC)
The federal Conservative Party’s leadership race was the focus Saturday night, as four out of five candidates attended a local party barbecue.
Party interim leader Candice Bergen assured the crowd of 1,100 that unity does not mean uniformity and that it is okay if party members disagree on a number of issues.
Conservative Party interim leader Candice Bergen is attending a party barbecue in Calgary, Alta, on Saturday. (Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press)
“It’s okay to be conservative and have a different view from another conservative on a particular issue. We’re in the middle of a leadership career and I’m not naive or blind,” Bergen said.
“I know things heat up and have warmed up during the leadership race and they should. Leadership, my friends, is not for the faint of heart. I have no doubt we will be united and strong afterwards. of September 10th after our new leader.
With the exception of Scott Aitchison, the other four candidates, Pierre Poilievre, Jean Charest, Leslyn Lewis and Roman Baber had one last chance to try to win the fans.
“Here are my values. Values of hard work, self-sufficiency, independence and freedom. I was raised with these values, but lately we haven’t seen much freedom in this country. People have the feeling that they are losing control of their lives. Polievre said amid loud applause and a standing ovation from some in the store.
“Why am I running for prime minister? To return to the helm of your life by making Canada the freest nation on earth.”
Charest said that after losing three straight elections, the Conservatives need to change things.
Pierre Poilievre, a center-right candidate for the Conservative Party leadership, is attending a party barbecue on Saturday in Calgary, Alta. (Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press)
“In fact, the Conservatives must be the most generous political party in the world. There is an election campaign and here we are telling Mr. Trudeau to take it,” Charest said.
“At the end of the day, we have to win an election campaign and we can’t risk losing it. The election they will face … is who will win a conservative national government with an agenda made in Canada “.
Charest was questioned for much of his speech by a person who identified himself as a supporter of Poilievre.
“Aren’t you a liberal?” he screamed.
“Boo. Go back to Ottawa.”
Right-wing candidate Jean Charest, the Conservative Party’s leadership candidate, is attending a party barbecue in Calgary, Alta, on Saturday. (Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press)
A woman, who identified herself as from Toronto, told him to “stop it.”
“Go back to Toronto then. It’s Alberta. It’s western Canada,” the man replied.
Stampede and politics
Interest in politics and stampede has grown over the years.
“It’s not just the Conservatives who do this. I think it somehow evolved,” said Lori Williams, a political science professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
“There was enough media attention and enough people coming from outside Calgary that it became a magnet for leaders from across the country to come and engage in a kind of pleasant political connection that people from all over the world could see. country “.
He said there’s also a bit of “star power” associated with the stampede.
“Seeing someone they’ve seen online or on TV and want to see and connect with, and that’s a great opportunity for politicians, because sometimes those connections can change hearts and minds.”
Federal Conservatives plan to elect a new leader in September.
Former Calgary Conservative MP Joan Crockatt said politicians have a chance to see a lot of people during the stampede, which makes it very efficient.
“I think what people expect from the Stampede is that there will be some star quality, you can wear your rhinestones, cowboy hat and cowboy boots,” said Crockatt, who has represented the Calgary Center since from 2012 to 2012. 2015.
“This is a more fun way to meet a politician than events or knock on the door.”
The Stampede will run until July 17th.