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Federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer had every right to expect an enthusiastic reception Friday at the United Conservative Party convention in Calgary.

His party won 69.2 per cent of the provincewide federal vote on Oct. 21. He elected 33 of 34 Alberta MPs.

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The Conservatives reduced the Trudeau Liberals to a minority. Scheer’s economic policies are in lockstep with Premier Jason Kenney’s.

Although Scheer lost, he had some momentum. Alberta loyalists should be itching for an early federal election under his banner.

And so, when Scheer talks to Kenney’s party you’d expect delegates to be standing on their chairs, howling support.

What Scheer got instead was a polite response, a few perfunctory standing ovations and applause for lines the audience was sure to like. (“Division isn’t the result of Justin Trudeau’s plan — division IS Justin Trudeau’s plan.”)

A rumoured biblical exodus of dissidents did not occur. Even so, about 20 people walked out to show their non-support. Many people never clapped or cheered at anything Scheer said.