FRINGE FESTIVAL — TUCKER CARLSON brought MAGA world to Calgary on Wednesday where loud cheers greeted his calls for freedom of speech and weapons for self-defense, “which you need and deserve as a free person.” There was more cheering about drumming up oil production, along with predictable knocks at mainstream media — the CBC, in particular. — Other applause lines: Anti-LGBTQ+ jokes and tropes. Carlson spoke at length about the plight of Anglos — white English speakers. It’s his thing. He told the Alberta crowd he’d witnessed Montreal being “cleansed of its Anglo legacy.” — If nothing else: Carlson’s self-described “liberation tour” of Canada confirmed there’s a deep-pocketed demographic in Alberta hungry for grievance politics. “You should recognize what is happening to you,” the former Fox News star said to a seated audience of 4,000 people at Calgary’s TELUS Convention Centre. “This is a destruction of you and your culture and your beliefs and your children and your future.” — Political labels: And after equating Canada’s medical assistance in dying law with “genocide” and then stoking anxieties that “unrestrained immigration done for political reasons” will “eliminate your country from the map,” the conservative firebrand described himself as “pretty moderate.” Carlson also applied the label to DONALD TRUMP when challenged by event moderator BRETT WILSON to sum up the Republican frontrunner in two sentences. “I don't want radical change. But neither does Trump,” Carlson said. “They're treating him like he's a Nazi — and that says everything about them,” he said of voices on the left in America. The Alberta crowd cheered. — MAGA mouth: The former Fox News anchor worked hard to sow the language of America’s culture wars. “I hate the woke crowd,” he said to an audience that included People’s Party Leader MAXIME BERNIER, friends in matching “Small Fringe Minority” hoodies and others carrying Louis Vuitton purses. “They hate you, that’s what they’re saying: they’re saying that you are bad.” Over on X, political commentator DAVID FRUM tweeted: "The thing that's so sad is that I thought Canada had passed the point where Canadians had to make do with cancelled US programming as if it were fresh and new." — Reporter’s notebook: The show was marketed to an international audience as a “Tucker Carlson Live” event. Locally, it was billed as a conversation about the province’s energy sector and energy transition. Canadian psychologist JORDAN PETERSON, who dined with Carlson and National Post columnist CONRAD BLACK the previous night, was invited to the stage, a special guest who guaranteed conversation strayed beyond the strength of Alberta’s energy sector. — Notable quotable: Alberta Premier DANIELLE SMITH’s arrival on stage signalled the start of the billed energy discussion. She used the stage to mock the futility of snow-covered solar panels and renewables during the province’s recent cold snap. — Low-hanging fruit: In a housekeeping note, Smith emphasized to the crowd that she has conversations with everyone, including people — or certain public broadcasters — with whom she doesn't see eye to eye. “There are representatives from mainstream media here and they're going to ask me whether I agree with every single word you said,” she told Carlson. “It's important for me to make sure that the world knows how incredible Alberta is … I know CBC is here, so you can quote me on that if you want,” she said, causing the audience to go: “Oooooooo.” For the record, JASON MARKUSOFF of CBC News was in attendance and filed this report. — Something to watch for: Smith worked to enlist Carlson in her ongoing battle with Canada’s environment minister — an open invitation for the American ex-show host to expand his influence in Canadian politics. “I wish you would put STEVEN GUILBEAULT in your crosshairs,” she said. There was laughter and applause in the convention hall. “I'm trying to get him fired and I would love your help.” | 
