Alberta NDP Scores on 4:20

Notley, Mason Pass Dope Election Amendment

A few hours past high noon on April 20, Alberta NDP MLAs Brian Mason and Rachel Notley potted a ringer.

For the first time since the amendments to the Government's Bill 1 of a few years back, the tiny Alberta New Democrat caucus succeeded in having an amendment passed by a majority of (Progressive Conservative) members of the House.

When the smoke parted, it became clear that the amendment to Bill 7, the Election Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 (moved by Mason, but shepherded by House Leader Notley), would allow for instances of vouching for the validity of an Alberta citizen at a polling station during an election.

This would theoretically make it easier for the homeless or others without Government-issued identification to cast a ballot.

The amendment was supported by the Wildrose and Liberal camps as well, with Rob Anderson, Paul Hinman, Laurie Blakeman, Kent Hehr, and Bridget Pastoor casting votes in support.

From the Progressive Conservative benches, some notable supporters were David Hancock, Doug Griffiths, Lindsey Blackett, and Iris Evans, while Doug Elniski, Evan Berger, Jonathan Denis, Richard Marz, and Ray Prins remained opposed – though only Cthulhu knows why.

MLAs joked later that it was Notley’s 4:20 “supporters” outside that made the difference – perhaps Elniski and company had joined the protest and were simply suffering from paranoia.

And Now for Something Completely Different…

Your friends here at the Alberta Report have more pictures to share from the 4:20 protests in Vancouver. So enjoy – and remember, a bud in the hand is worth two in the bush.