Both David Swann and Jim Prentice held Stampede Breakfasts in the same area at the same time on July 4. Prentice has been the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North since 2004. Swann was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary Mountain-View also since 2004.

This year I attended Environment Minister Jim Prentice’s Stampede Breakfast. For the last few years I have attended Alberta Liberal leader David Swann’s. What are the similarities and differences between the two people and their Stampede Breakfasts?

Personalities

Both are nice guys. Knowing David Swann better, I can say that he is genuine. Swann never says anything mean about anyone and sticks to the issues. This behaviour is unusual in politics and is definitely a breath of fresh air. Jim Prentice on the other hand seems to be more polished. I get the feeling he can play the two faced game to agree with anyone though. As Minister of the Environment, Prentice is a vast improvement from the angry bully John Baird.

Both are smart. Both are professionals. David Swann was a medical doctor and Jim Prentice was a lawyer.

Both have had portfolios in the environment. Before becoming leader of the opposition, David Swann was the Environment critic in the Liberal Caucus.  Swann’s commitment to the environment is real. In 2002, as the medical officer of health for the Palliser Health Authority in southeastern Alberta, Swann was fired by the Alberta Government for speaking out in favour of the Kyoto Accord. Swann went on a canoe trip to the tar sands. He is often seen riding his bike to work and for pleasure in our neighbourhood.

Prentice on the other hand has little commitment to the environment. Jim Prentice has been the Environment Minister since 2008. Prentice was chosen as Minister of the Environment because he has the personality to navigate perhaps the most difficult federal portfolio. If he can navigate this well he will likely become the next leader of the Conservatives (Peter MacKay is the other leading candidate).

Canada is the worst environmental performer in the G8. Ever since Bush left and Obama was elected as president of the United States, Canada is now the lone wolf at environmental summits. Canada has been accused of trying to block any real action on climate change. Whereas the Conservatives used to scoff and be belligerent at actually doing anything for the environment, they now act like Liberals by saying they care while doing virtually nothing about it.

Recently the Conservative government announced $1 billion to go towards carbon capture and tailings pond clean up. Compared to the United States, Canada is outspent 6 to 1 per capita on renewable energy. What this means is that investment in renewable energy is heading to other countries, leaving Canada’s energy future in doubt.

Breakfasts

                       
 
Both hold Stampede breakfasts and serve traditional food like pancakes, sausages and hashbrowns with juice and coffee. Both were well attended. There were some differences. There was a protest at the Prentice breakfast. Prentice is an easy target since he is a Conservative and in a high profile position. Protestors wanted the Canadian government to increase their investment in renewable energy, to decrease subsidies to coal, oil, and gas, and to start cooperating in climate change talks. There were no protests at Swann’s breakfast.

Prentice is a money man. His breakfast was held at Osteria de Medici, one of the finer restaurants in town. It was held in a private parking lot. Businesses love Conservatives. On the other hand, Swann had his breakfast at the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association. This is a public space. It felt more community than of money.

               

Stampede Breakfasts produce a terrible amount of garbage. They traditionally symbolize our wasteful culture that tosses items into the garbage after just a single use. Prentice held a traditional breakfast with typical fare and waste. Styrofoam plates and cups were everywhere. The environment was not even on the radar of Prentice or his supporters. Swann on the other had vegan sausages. He also encouraged people to bring their own re-useable plates, cutlery, and cups. Almost half who were in attendance last year did so to significantly reduce the waste from the breakfast.
 
Swann walks the walk, while Prentice talks the talk. This is the biggest difference between the two politicians.