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Politicians know that when they’ve dug themselves into a hole, stop digging.

Not Wildrose Rick Strankman, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler.

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He breaks out the jackhammer.

Strankman first dug himself into a hole last Thursday during question period by appearing to doubt the science of climate change.

He was asking questions of Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous about the economic impact of the government’s plans to accelerate the closure of Alberta’s coal-fired power plants. The government wants all 18 plants closed by 2030 as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well fighting good old-fashioned pollution, such as soot and sulphur dioxide.

Strankman’s questions were fair enough until he wrapped up with his third question: “Will the minister table the specific scientific research upon which these policies are based?”

The government ministers did a double take. Was Strankman questioning the scientific reasons for closing the coal-fired plants? Was he questioning the science of climate change?

Bilous immediately gave the floor to Environment Minister Shannon Phillips. She launched into a heated response.

“It’s quite interesting that I’m going to have to rise in this house and explain the science of climate change to an opposition caucus, half a dozen of whom ran on a platform of rejecting the science,” she said.