Former premier Jason Kenney’s composure was lost as he posted a name-calling tirade on X recently.

In the post, Kenney repeatedly called Alberta lawyer and independence advocate Jeff Rath “Boss Hogg” (presumably a reference to Mr. Rath’s weight), after calling Rath and Mitch Sylvestre morons.

Kenney’s statement began with, “Voting to separate isn’t a risk-free way to send Ottawa a message. It’s a vote of confidence in these absolute morons and their plan to make Alberta a US resource colony,” before going more directly after Rath and Sylvestre.

The vote facing Albertans on October 19 is non-binding and only asks if people want to begin the formal process of working toward independence. There is no appetite among Albertans to pursue statehood or to become a resource colony of the USA, and polling has repeatedly proven that out. A vote for Option 2 on Question 10 does indeed send a message to Ottawa and is risk-free. It doesn’t empower Rath or Sylvestre in any way.

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Kenney has been unapologetically campaigning against Albertans choosing Option 2 on Question 10 for months now. He typically has exercised self-control, however. As a former federal cabinet minister and premier, he is well-versed in diplomacy and debate. His descent into such raw invective indicates perhaps his campaign isn’t faring as well as he hoped it would.

An increasing number of Albertans are considering using the fall vote to send a message to Ottawa. Typically, Mr. Kenney would understand that implying that citizens considering such a vote are choosing to support morons won’t sway voters away from the choice they are considering. Kenney’s insults will likely inspire them to get out to vote.

If the stress of the campaign is overwhelming the former premier, he may be well-served to take a break for a while.