Livingstone-Macleod NDP candidate Kevin Van Tighem is being criticized for comments made about Alberta's energy sector, May 12, 2023. (Photo: Alberta NDP)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Southern Alberta NDP candidate criticized for comparing oil and gas to slavery

May 12, 2023 | 1:50 PM

HIGH RIVER, AB – An Alberta NDP candidate in southern Alberta is being called out by some of his political opponents for comments he made about the province’s energy industry.

The United Conservative Party is demanding an apology from Livingstone-Macleod NDP candidate Kevin Van Tighem.

The UCP stated that Van Tighem compared Alberta’s energy industry to slavery and energy workers to slaves in his 2021 book, “Wild Roses Are Worth It: Reimagining the Alberta Advantage.”

On pages 66-67, he wrote, “Alberta’s enslaved landscapes were never unemployed to start with. And most of the jobs we force them to do impair their ability to do their real work. That’s how slavery works; it makes bosses rich by stealing the energies of their slaves.”

Another section, on pages 19-20, states, “I don’t like how the lure of oil money made kids drop out of high school and hurry off to the oil camps to make it big, giving up on the acquisition of knowledge and absorbing, instead, the prejudices of their mostly male co-workers.”

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UCP Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre candidate Jason Nixon said Van Tighem’s comments are some of the worst attacks he has ever heard against Albertans and the energy sector.

“The comments made by Mr. Van Tighem are deeply disturbing. Clearly, Rachel Notley and her candidates still believe Albertans are ‘sewer rats’ and ’embarrassing cousins.’ By refusing to explicitly apologize, the NDP are proving these views still run rampant in their party,” Nixon said. “I’m proud to be an Albertan. If Rachel Notley and her hand-picked candidate have such a problem with Albertans, why are they running to represent our province?”

Van Tighem said in a tweet on May 11, that everyone’s insights evolve.

“I’ve been talking to hundreds of people in this province. People in Alberta rely on oil and gas. We need to build a future where we maximize its value to our economy,” said Van Tighem. “Oil was a vital part of our past; it will be a vital part of our future. I’m proud to be part of a party that actually delivered the first pipeline to tidewater in 50 years.”

A spokesperson for the Alberta NDP said in a statement to LNN, “The Alberta NDP supports the future of oil and gas and we have a robust energy plan to build a resilient economy and a better future for the province. Rachel Notley built the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, which is set to be complete this year and will deliver Alberta’s product to tidewater.”

General voting day for the Alberta provincial election is May 29.

Full election coverage: Alberta Votes 2023