What happens when you call your MLA?

An errant voicemail gives us insight into how the UCP is handling the backlash against its use of the notwithstanding clause. They're not doing well.

In previous posts, I’ve encouraged Albertans to call up their MLAs to voice their concerns with the UCP government’s use of the notwithstanding clause. (Tips are found here and here.)

Doug Firby took up my advice and contacted his MLA, Tanya Fir (Minister of Culture). His account of the ensuing events is here and definitely worth the read.

Photo by Gilles Lambert on Unsplash

Days later, Doug got a strange phone call from one of his fellow constituents — a complete stranger. That constituent had also called Fir’s office to voice their displeasure with the government’s use of the notwithstanding clause.

Fir had personally returned that constituent’s call, promising to pass their concerns onto caucus and cabinet. All’s fine to this point. In fact, its encouraging to hear that an MLA is actually doing the calls herself rather than staffing it out.

Until…

Fir forgets to hang up the phone.

The voicemail message continues, giving us insight into what happens inside MLA offices when a constituent calls. You can listen to it here.

“One of Ours”

During the ensuing exchange, Fir instructs her staff to note in the call-tracking spreadsheet that the constituent is “one of ours.”

We can infer that Fir considers the constituent to be in the Conservative camp (perhaps a member, supporter, or voter).

This is not unusual. Many tracking systems require staff to identify the partisan leanings of the callers. Those that align with the MLA’s party are given more weight, especially when they are critical of the party’s position. Those that come from supporters of another party are given shorter shrift — dismissed as being complaints from chronic dissenters.

“The Next Motherfucker”

This is where the voicemail message takes a twist.

In a turn of events reminiscent of the Trump administration’s Signal chat controversy, Fir went on to include Doug Firby's contact information in that ill-fated voicemail to the constituent. Who is Firby, you ask? A retired journalist with a Substack account.

Firby had also called Fir to complain about her government’s use of the notwithstanding clause, which explains why the MLA had called out his number to her staffer. He was next in line for a call-back.

Fir should be held accountable for releasing Firby’s contact information, no doubt.

But it gets worse.

In turning her staff’s attention from the first constituent to Firby, Fir indicates it’s time to go onto “this next motherfucker.”

This comment is notable for a few reasons:

• It indicates that Fir’s list of complaining constituents is lengthy. There must have been a lot of “motherfuckers” to go through.

• It illustrates frustration and perhaps some gallows humour after a long day of call-returns.

Who among us with a public-facing role hasn’t referred to our clients and stakeholders in similarly colourful language? I know I have. That doesn’t make me a bad person.

It does mean I must face accountability if those comments are released publicly, though. There would be trust to rebuild with my constituents. And my boss would be subject to questions about whether this attitude is endemic to the entire organization.

What did we learn?

A few takeaways from this episode:

• When the call is seen as coming from inside the Conservative house, UCP MLAs pay greater attention. A simple, “I voted for you last time” can go a long way.

• UCP MLAs are feeling the pressure. Many no doubt feel they can weather the storm, thinking that the “motherfuckers” will eventually move on to other things. If Albertans feel strongly about this government’s use of the notwithstanding clause, they need to keep calling and encourage others to do the same.