Leeway from Lloyd: Mudslinging kicks off Alberta spring

Spring has sprung, and we all know the jingle, April showers bring May flowers.

Those showers also create mud, and a lot of it will be slung by the United Conservatives and New Democrats combatants in the Alberta general election on May 29.

Some gobs of mud thrown by the NDP are already sticking on Premier Danielle Smith’s campaign as Alberta’s ethics commissioner is investigating “whether or not the premier has interfered with the administration of justice.”

The NDP released a recording of a phone call Smith had in January with pastor Art Pawlowski before he was to face a criminal trial stemming from his actions during the Coutts, Alta. border blockade where a group of individuals protested COVID-19 restrictions.

UCP recently tossed a mudpie of sorts at the NDP with an election promise to hire 100 new police officers mainly in Edmonton and Calgary to fight crime.

Law and order is a popular vote-getter, especially with seemingly escalating gun crimes, stranger assaults on public transit etc.

The NPD claims the government is just restoring funds to police it cut in 2021.

Voters, however, have short-term members so some last-minute promise to slash some annoying tax could decide the outcome given the high cost of living.

Smith was never elected premier after taking over from Jason Kenney and has to earn that right.

Clawing back the energy rebate from Albertans on the regulated rate isn’t going to cut it with those affected voters and hiring new police officers doesn’t put beans on the table.

As mudslinging goes on, most people are simply focused on getting outdoors and active again after a long winter.

Spring is very re- energizing on multiple fronts like agriculture, recreation, wildlife and construction with the days getting longer and warmer.

I already snuck in a couple of outdoor bikes with snow still in the fields. Spring is all about optimism and here’s hoping we all have a great summer and we can complain about how hot it is for a change.

A little moisture in May might keep us Albertans entertained with mudslinging. Let it fly.