The days of radical activists freely pushing their divisive woke ideology in Alberta’s corporate and public sectors may be coming to an end.

Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, now board chair of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), has overseen the dismissal of 19 employees, including the head of AIMCo’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program.

AIMCo, which manages over $110 billion in public-sector pension funds, has faced criticism for prioritizing bureaucratic expansion and so-called diversity initiatives over investment performance.

Harper leads course correction

Under Harper’s leadership, AIMCo has begun what many see as a much-needed course correction. The layoffs, targeting non-investment roles, are part of a broader strategy to refocus on its core mission—generating returns for Albertans, not pandering to identity politics.

UCP Finance Minister Nate Horner, who initiated this overhaul by firing AIMCo’s previous board and CEO, made it clear that change was necessary.

“It seemed like it needed a reset, and that’s what we did today,” Horner said at the time.

“It may seem like a lot today, but we’ve been watching this closely, and it was my determination it wasn’t going to change without a major reset.”

DEI-related problems

Horner pointed out that costs were rising, the employee count was ballooning, and investment performance wasn’t keeping pace.

The removal of AIMCo’s DEI leader is part of a broader movement rejecting the spread of politicized policies in institutions. From the University of Alberta to corporate giants like Walmart and McDonald’s, organizations are re-evaluating the role of DEI bureaucracies.

Trump’s win sparks return of common sense

Meanwhile, across the border, former U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle DEI programs in federal agencies, arguing that they promote ideological compliance over competence.

Here in Alberta, we’re seeing a return to common sense. The era of unchecked spending on activist-driven programs while neglecting financial performance may finally be coming to an end.