Jim Groom thinks Kenney needs to be careful with his comments on blockades, while Trudeau is in "win-win" situation

By Brian Konrad

Leaders cautioned against using blockades for political advantage

Feb 16, 2022 | 2:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A Medicine Hat political science instructor thinks Jason Kenney should be careful not to claim a political victory with the peaceful end of the Coutts blockade.

Jim Groom says it was the people inside the Coutts protest that determined how the blockade would end, after learning some outsiders with violent intent were trying to insert themselves into the dispute.

Groom thinks Kenney may want to be careful how he frames his role in the resolution.

“I would think Kenney would be a little circumspect to claim too much credit for that, because in actual fact he wouldn’t want to link himself up with any violent groups of course and by simple osmosis he may seem to appear to be supporting them if he’s saying the wrong thing at the wrong time there,” says Groom.

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With Brian Jean vying to win a seat for the UCP in a March 15 byelection, and with a leadership review in April, Groom thinks Kenney will remain focused on balancing the fine line between two parts of his party and not upsetting the electorate.

Groom also thinks the political legacy of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could be impacted by how the occupation ends in Ottawa.

Groom believes Trudeau finally showed political leadership with the enactment of the Emergencies Act, and appears to be in a win/win situation.

“If it turns out successful he’ll be able to claim credit for this and if it turns out unsuccessful I think he’s still going to be able to claim that this is why we needed it and that it was an act that had to be put in,” says Groom.

Groom says Pierre Poilievre, the apparent Conservative leader in waiting, has positioned himself with the protestors and the Liberals may take advantage of that if the outcome of the demonstration goes bad.