It’s not the premier’s fault that the coronavirus turned into a lethal global pandemic while sparking an oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. But COVID-19 has mercilessly laid bare Kenney’s true political priorities. Betting everything on a single, volatile commodity was a decision neither commanded by market forces or fiscal responsibility. It’s been a gamble on behalf of the most powerful, but fading, players in Alberta, forestalling a diversified economy while inflaming populist resentment against anyone who dare challenge oil orthodoxy.

And now the whole façade, like Kenney’s political fortunes, is crumbling amidst the crisis. How did we get here?

“The outcome is liberty for corporations to plunder the public good, but not liberty for citizens to be free from the plunder,” he explained. “It’s a way to justify exploitation of people by a very few private company executives and has nothing to do with the greater good of the country or the world.”