Take Back Alberta Sponsored Jordan Peterson Talk Has Elections Alberta’s Attention

Take Back Alberta is “in discussions” about disclosing the funding behind a sponsored talk by right wing commentator Jordan Peterson.

TBA leader David Parker told PressProgress Elections Alberta is speaking to his group about the Jordan Peterson event they sponsored last weekend. Tickets went for up to $500.

“We’re in discussions with them about how to categorize a couple of things, and those will be reported depending on the outcome of those discussions, but in terms of political advertising we have not done any we have been very careful on that.”

When asked about the expense of the Peterson event, Parker said:

“We’re working with them on whether or not to categorize it as political advertising.”

TBA has been working on this for wee bit. David Parker mentioned it at a meeting in early March, but TBA was still negotiating with Peterson. Trying to get him to reduce his price.

— Carrie Tait (@CarrieTait) May 3, 2023

Peterson spoke in Red Deer on May 22, where he urged attendees to take power back from “political elites” and called Rachel Notley’s NDP “resentful and bitter.” 

It appeared to be a call to action tailored to the Take Back Alberta crowd.

TBA is a right wing group that has been training scrutineers to infiltrate campaigns and act as “security” on election day. They are advising volunteers on how to “minimize the cheating” on election day. 

EXCLUSIVE: Emails reveal a pipeline connecting Take Back Alberta organizers to election fraud ‘scrutineers’ and a UCP campaign.

UCP candidate Eric Bouchard is defending his campaign’s links to a group warning about voting machines and fake voters.https://t.co/rcjmfgRrv4 #ableg

— PressProgress (@pressprogress) May 18, 2023

Unlike his Edmonton and Calgary appearances, which are part of a book tour, Peterson’s Red Deer talk was promoted as a call to political action. 

Edmonton TBA captain Benita Pedersen said the event, taking place a week before election day, was about “getting people involved politically.”

“His speech in Red Deer on May 22 has to do with getting involved politically, and so its people like us to get us even more inspired than we already are, but it’s also for other people who are sort of thinking ‘I’ll just remember to vote,’” Pederson said. 

“This is the kind of presentation that will ignite them, so that they understand that we have to do more than vote.”

TBA has so far reported zero dollars in their financial disclosure, either as an Elections Advertiser, or as a Third Party Advertiser, though they have registered as both. 

Parker said he’s communicating with Elections Alberta over multiple events regarding financial reporting.

“There’s two events that we are reporting, we’re just getting the receipts ready for that.”

Parker acknowledges the group has been raising funds this year, but says the group’s activities don’t constitute political advertising and therefore don’t require financial disclosure.

TBA has hosted many election events including online workshops every Sunday on how to persuade people to vote conservative, and scrutineer training workshops. Their telegram channel also promoted a screening of a new conservative documentary Canada is Dying.

Pedersen says she is personally supporting the United Conservatives. 

In promoting the Canada Is Dying event she said “If you’re on the fence about which way you’re going to vote, go watch that documentary.” 

Elections Alberta confirmed to PressProgress the group reported $0 contribution in Q1 2023 as a registered third-party advertiser and that their financial records were filed after the reporting deadline.

Elections Alberta however declined to confirm conversations with Parker or Take Back Alberta due to confidentiality.

“Our conversations with any individuals or entities regarding compliance with legislation may result in investigation,” EA told Pressprogress. 

TBA registered as an election advertiser on April 26, 2023. As of the financial reporting deadline of March 15, 2023 they have reported no contributions.