Bob Mackin
Betcha didn’t know theBreaker has spies at Hy’s.
One of them spotted 20 local Tories chowing down at the posh steakhouse with visiting Alberta Progressive Conservative leader Jason Kenney on April 27. Proceeds from the $500-a-plate event went to the Vancouver Centre federal Conservative riding association.
The former multiculturalism and defence minister, who hopes to beat Rachel Notley’s NDP in 2019, supped with Clark Wilson lawyer Lyall Knott, Trigate Properties boss Alex G. Tsakumis, Kiewit business development director Glen Arthur, outgoing Vancouver Langara Liberal MLA Moira Stilwell, Kenney’s mentor and former cabinet mate Stockwell Day, and Felicity Webb, the mother of late Stephen Harper aide Shaun Webb. Reached by phone, Tsakumis refused to comment or even confirm he was at the event.
Jason Kenney
Curious ears heard Kenney reveal that Alberta may officially unite the right as soon as this weekend. The merger with the Brian Jean-led Wildrose Party is that close.
Kenney was shedding no tears for the departure of reality TV star Kevin O’Leary from the federal leadership race. Like Donald Trump, Kenney said, O’Leary is not a true, blue conservative. Acknowledging the prospect of a B.C. NDP win on May 9, Kenney urged all to get behind the BC Liberal party, despite many in the room being no fans of dyed-in-the-wool federal Liberal Christy Clark.
He suggested that a BC Liberal re-election, coupled with a PC comeback in Alberta, could form a “firewall” in Western Canada with Brad Wall’s Saskatchewan Party.
Alas, Kenney had another engagement. His driver for the evening, Dunbar Theatre owner and Andrew Scheer campaign volunteer Ken Charko, whisked Kenney to Surrey for an Indian dinner.
Because, the Calgarian will always be the Minister of Curry in a Hurry.
