The Calgary Stampede is a staple on the summer rodeo circuit, a premier outdoor show that attracts visitors from around the world.
It’s an arena revered among the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls, whose prominence in the rodeo ring, be it in bull riding, barrel racing, or calf roping, are recognized via breakneck speed performances and shiny rodeo buckles.
Yet, as much as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is revered in rodeo circles, the annual 10-day event holds a distinguished spot on the summer political circuit.
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For Canada’s politicians, the Stampede serves as a place where future voters can be convinced that the folks sitting in Ottawa are indeed humans too.
Cowboy boots are dusted off, or (if needed) purchased, often under the spotlight of media cameras. Plaid shirts are ironed, dress pants are replaced with dependable Wranglers, and Stetsons suddenly become all the rage.
Outfits are scrutinized (one will, unfortunately, never forget the prime minister’s leather vest incident of 2005), horsemanship applauded and pancake flipping skills recruited.
Stampede is a vital piece on the summer barbecue circuit in a normal year. In the lead-up to a federal election, the time spent at Stampede is indispensable — for different reasons.
With the polls still showing a three-way tie and new electoral seats up for grabs, some of which are located in Western Canada, Canada’s political leaders are attempting to distinguish themselves in voters’ eyes.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is clearly trying to show Canadians he’s not only a stern faced politician but a family man too. (Mulcair has often been referred to as “Angry Tom” in Ottawa circles, a nickname inspired by his demanding, forceful and sometimes short-tempered performances in question period.)
The NDP leader’s entire family, including his young grandchildren, are in Calgary to enjoy the sights and sounds of Stampede.
Photos of the leader and his family walking through downtown Calgary in cowboy boots and carrying Lammle’s Western Wear and Tack bags have been posted to social media, along side one of Grandpa helping his grandson into his new cowboy boots.
It’s no secret the New Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the party’s recent provincial victory in Alberta under premier Rachel Notley. The NDP majority win in Alberta has certainly bolstered morale and inspired projections among pundits of possible federal wins in Edmonton, Lethbridge and, yes, even Calgary.
It’s a different story for Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, whose family name stills stirs up memories among some Albertans of difficult days not yet forgotten.
However, Stampede provides ample political fodder for Trudeau, who excels in the people skills department.
There is no denying Trudeau’s charisma. He talks to everyone in the room, from the food servers to the volunteers, children and their parents. It’s a skill that can only be bolstered when holding a flapjack flipper in one hand and a Stetson in the other.
As for prime minister Stephen Harper, Stampede is home territory, Conservative bread and butter. It’s a place where political agendas can be set in front of a crowd that is guaranteed to be filled with members of the party’s supporter base.
This year was no different, with the prime minister choosing to echo his Canada Day speech by focusing on security issues.
“Canadians will choose security over risk,” Harper said in a hard-hitting speech that went after the Conservatives’ political opponents without actually naming them directly. (Trudeau and Mulcair were simply referred to as “the other guys.”)
It’s a risky strategy. Federal elections are rarely, if ever, won on issues tied to foreign affairs. The closest is the 1988 election over free trade, but that debate focused more on domestic implications than foreign ones.
Canadians have historically favored political pillars that more directly relate to their day-to-day lives, such as the economy, jobs, health care and social services.
The Conservatives clearly want security to be the upcoming election issue.
However, whether it’s the question that remains in the political ring is still to be seen.
