This column is an opinion of Michael Solberg, co-owner of a Calgary government relations firm and co-chair of a Stampede party. For more information on the CBC opinion section, see the FAQ.
Some people line up at the Calgary Stampede to make hot cakes. Others come to take prey. Between 10 days of rodeo, country music, and $ 12 beers, there’s a different subculture, as important to the Stampede’s identity as the corn dog: the Stampede political circuit.
Politicians of all levels, spectrum extremes, and corners of the nation will come down to Calgary in their favorite Western clothing (some more convincingly than others). Stampede includes dozens of politically focused events ranging from a private evening to the election association’s coffee breakfast.
In fact, during Stampede’s 10 days, you get more slaps on the back and happy delivery than the rest of the year put together.
I can say from personal experience that a handful of pressure groups will also be hit.
It is the largest political zoo in the country.
Hay bales and party partner sales
Given Calgary’s traditional right-wing incline, it’s an especially important event for conservatives. And this year is of special importance.
This year, the Stampede is the protagonist of two leadership races: the Conservative Party of Canada and the United Conservative Party of Alberta.
It would be reasonable for an aspiring leader in either of the two Conservative coalitions to want to spend time among these crowds of thousands. After all, there is money to raise, members to sell, and hearts and minds to capture.
Believe it or not, Prime Minister Trudeau has been the marshal of the Stampede parade, twice. In both cases it was Pierre, who is shown here leading the way for the first time in 1971. (His son has regularly attended the festival since he became prime minister.) (Ken Pole / Canadian Press)
For aspirants to provincial leadership, a significant investment of time in the Stampede must pay dividends. Wallets will be as open to party donations as to buying those warm, expensive Budweisers.
The $ 175,000 leadership income share remains a challenge for many candidates, and for some, the Calgary Stampede will be the difference between success and failure. We were also able to see the favorites stand out from the rest in the sales of party members, with the deadline for registrations being August 12, less than a month after the end of Stampede.
For the federal contest, no more members can be sold, and while Alberta has seen almost double its membership size since the last leadership racevoting rules give each constituency the same weight.
CPC members, now 675,000 members, experienced significant growth in other parts of the country, specifically in Atlantic Canada, Ontario and Quebec. There is an inherent risk of spending time away from these areas of voter growth for too long in a western city.
But not attending at all is perhaps an even greater risk. If you are absent from Stampede, you are remarkably absent; may suggest that you are ignoring Calgary during its highlight.
Justin Trudeau is wise to have appeared every year as prime minister (except last year), and Alberta NPD leader Rachel Notley will try court the premises at various events. Even the federal leader of the NDP Jagmeet Singh and former Green Party leader Elizabeth May have attended Stampede events in the past, despite limited electoral success in the city and province.
Trendy goggle warning horns sounded all over Calgary when Alberta Prime Minister Rachel Notley wore her hat upside down as she met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2015. (Jeff McIntosh / Canadian Press File)
How well a “Stampedes” politician is often the subject of post-Stampede debate. If you bomb, it shows.
Will they take to the stage with applause at the famous Cowboys store? Or will they have just two dozen people on their barbecue while putting on their moccasins instead of the boots with the cowboy hat upside down?
The flagship conservative event is Calgary Heritage’s annual barbecue. The fundraiser was previously organized by former Southwestern Calgary MPs (and founders of the movement) Preston Manning and Stephen Harper, and now current MP Bob Benzen.
Looking for the strongest yahoos
An unwritten tradition takes place during the presentation of attending dignitaries, which this year will include a large number of candidates for federal and provincial leadership. In the old days of Wildrose and Progressive Conservative, a fiery test for electoral success was to wait and hear who received the loudest applause during his presentation.
This year the test will apply to these active leadership races and I, for example, will bring my applause. I bet the local Calgary Pierre Poilievre will receive an amazing welcome.
The stakes are high. Yes, there are leadership races underway, but Alberta is also in the final year of its election cycle. As a public opinion pollster Janet Brown’s recent survey suggestsmore Albertans today would consider voting for the UCP than the opposition NDP in the 2023 provincial elections.
The Stampede is a great opportunity for the UCP to crystallize these recent gains in public opinion before the canine summer days take over. And for two sets of leadership candidates, it may be the last time Alberta Conservatives pay much attention, because the days of summer dogs after the stampede coincide with the time when both races come in. at home.
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