Edmonton MP McPherson slams Alberta UCP during federal NDP leadership run

NDP MP Heather McPherson says Canadians need someone to keep the federal government on track to follow through on promises, and in Alberta, someone to fix the damage being done by the United Conservative Party.

One of five candidates vying for the top spot in the federal NDP leadership race, the MP for Edmonton-Strathcona was in Calgary to drum up support this weekend.

“I don’t like a lot of the things that Danielle Smith is doing right now,” McPherson told 660 News.

“I don’t like her attack on our health-care system, and I hope people understand the legislation she has put forward is the biggest attack on our public health-care system since Tommy Douglas and the NDP got healthcare in. It is moving us very, very quickly down a path towards two-tiered American-style healthcare.”

McPherson also slammed the UCP for its use of the notwithstanding clause, notably to force striking teachers back to work last year. And she accused Smith’s party of perilously pushing an agenda for separation.

“I would hope that Danielle Smith would be fighting for Canada, fighting for Alberta, and even that seems very difficult for her to do,” McPherson added. “You know, her flirting with separatism is so disappointing, so dangerous, and so divisive.”

The federal NDP leadership race includes Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis and Tony McQuail. McPherson is the only candidate from Alberta.

In Lethbridge on Monday, McPherson said she was in good company.

“Alberta has the most New Democrat members of any province in the country,” she said. “And part of that, of course, is because we have a very active, very successful provincial NDP.”

If given the opportunity to lead the party in Ottawa, McPherson’s plans would be to push for what she says many Canadians are claiming they aren’t getting out of Mark Carney’s Liberal government.

“I think what a lot of folks are going through across this country right now are the same things, whether you’re in Alberta or whether you’re in Ontario. And it’s a deep, deep fear with the attacks that we’re seeing on our health-care system. It is the cost-of-living crisis where people can’t afford groceries, can’t afford to pay their bills, all of those things,” she said.

“Overshadowing all of that is the threat that we’re seeing from (U.S. president) Donald Trump and the real risk that he is causing, not just to our economy.”

In Alberta, her to-do list includes pushing for initiatives to create jobs, invest in infrastructure, retrofit buildings, build a better electrical grid and bring in a high-speed rail line.

McPherson is optimistic that, with Naheed Nenshi leading the provincial party, a change in government is on the horizon.

“Certainly I know many, many Albertans hope that the Alberta NDP is the next government here as well,” she said.

Jan. 28 is the deadline for people to sign up as members if they want to vote, and a leadership debate will be held next month.

The new leader will be announced March 29 in Winnipeg.