I’m a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, primarily in petrochemicals, pipelines, oil and natural gas. I’ve worked in Canada and the US on projects located in North America, Britain, Europe and Asia.
My focus is provincial politics, but occasionally I’ll dive into other arenas.
I’ve written for Alberta Views, CBC The Road Ahead, the Edmonton Journal and some online publications. My posts have been reprinted in the Huffington Post, Rabble and other newspapers. I’ve appeared on CBC Radio, the Ryan Jespersen Show and the Danielle Smith Show, (when she still had one) as well as panels for CTV Primetime and Wordfest where I had the honour of interviewing the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Beverley McLachlin.
The Soapbox received a Canadian Law Blog Award (affectionately known as a Clawbie) in 2013 and was nominated again in 2020. I received the PIA Public Interest Award for Southern Alberta in 2016.
I post on Sundays and welcome comments as long as they’re respectful and add to the conversation.
Some miscellaneous personal stuff: I enjoy judging moots and debates, I’m a fan of Netflix, Acorn, well, all streaming services. A while ago Mr Soapbox and I went on our dream vacation–a trip on the Orient Express. Very cool.
If you’d like to contact me DM @susanspbx or leave me a note here on The Soapbox.
Susan on the Soapbox 
If you’re interested in having coffee, give me a call.
Mary, I’d love to have coffee sometime. I’ll send you an email to set up a time and place. Talk to you soon.
Susan, Are you possibly, originally from Montreal?
Just asking. Thanks.
ps. Saw a comment of yours on Traditional Iconoclast is how i found your site.
Morris, I’m originally from Sask (I don’t count Ontario because I was 6 weeks old when we up and left)…ultimately ended up in Alberta via BC, Ontario, and Pennsylvania. I found Traditional Iconoclast through a co-worker and ended up connecting with Isabel’s sister who lives in Edmonton. Amazingly intricate world…now that we have social media to connect us all. Do you blog?
Any chance I could grab your e-mail address? Want to be able to send you goodies leading up to the election.
Richard, I’d be delighted to receive “goodies”. I’ve sent my email address to your @assembly.ab.ca address. Let me know if you don’t receive it and I’ll resent or contact you by phone. Thanks.
Hi Susan, You expressed interest in taking some action re the Calgary Sun. If you would like to drop- me an email, we could discuss it. Nick Fillmore fillmore0274@rogers.com
Susan…great comments on The Silly Season! I totally agree with you re where the ‘blame’ lies. And I would expand that blame to include all of us….all Calgarians, all Albertans and all Canadians. We need to understand there is a global conversation on energy. Like all conversations, someone speaks and someone listens. We Canadians (politicians, business people and interested citizens) have been speaking about energy in all of it’s forms. What we haven’t done is any work on who the audience is. Understanding the audience is what anyone who is motivated to change mindsets (educate) needs to completely understand so that the speaking can be tailored to peak the interests and motivational hot buttons of the audience. Your comments on the charts and graphs is so good. That is known as speaking facts….and few people care about facts….they care about what those facts MEAN to the them, not what the facts are. The energy industry and the polititcians, all very good people who work hard and constructively every day for a better life and a better country, don’t know what they don’t know. I believe that changing the conversation on energy, by launching a project to understand the audience (it’s global, by the way) and what matters to each segment of that audience (I bet there are probably twenty discreet segments of the global audience), and then tailoring the benefits of the facts about Canada’s energy benefits is what we need to do. This would take a few million dollars and probably a years worth of analysis, The a few more million and another six to twelve months to develop the accurate and tailored messaging and then a few more million, a couple of years from now, to roll it all out. And NONE of this can come from the energy industry…they could and should fund it, and an independent third party (a University or an Institute of some kind) would implement it. Am totally available to chat about this anytime. Just let me know if you’d be open to it.
Ken, how intriguing…a global conversation that recognizes the fact that the global audience is diverse and motivated by many different, often conflicting factors. I’ve often wondered how the energy companies were going to satisfy the environmentalists who are at the opposite end of the spectrum from the energy companies (and incidentally all those who benefit directly and indirectly from the energy industry). If I understand you correctly you’re suggesting that before we tell these groups what they need, let’s find out what they want. That certainly sounds like a good place to start. Given the massive scale of this project I can see why you’ve suggested that it will require a few million dollars and a few years to do it properly. Let me think about this some more and get back to you on your kind offer.
Susan, take a few moments to read about what I am working on – Ken is well aware of it. Part of my objective is building a strong network of passionate people who can help launch this new conversation about energy.
Yes, I will, I started with the Joe Nocera piece and then moved on to the Ian Clark interview. Prof Clark’s advice: be a critical thinker, read, analyse, challenge, makes good sense. He went somewhere I didn’t expect in his last sentence when he said believing in climate change aligns with the common sentiment that we live in a time of excess–one belief system bolsters the other. I’m interested in learning more and intend to stay close to your work. Thank you.
Susan…you’ve got it perfectly!!
I clicked on the ‘Unintended Consequences Documentary Project” but did not find any information there. I am certainly mising something here. Would you please clarify where this is?
Thank you – I appreciate it.
Carlos Beca
Hey Carlos,
Go to the link Ken put up and then under the picture of the mountains you’ll see a button that says “about Unintended Consequences” There is a short description of the project.
Carlos…try this link:
http://intentionalfilm.wordpress.com/
Thank you both for the prompt reply. Appreciate it.
Carlos Beca
Hi Susan. don’t see any entries since about a year ago. Have you stopped your efforts here or is work and family getting in the way.
Ron S from the TAGECL
Ron, I see you found the blog post proper as it were. Work/family is busy but I still find time for this little blog–the antics of the Alberta government continue to keep me amused (and sometimes downright annoyed!). Hope you’re keeping well. I’m intrigued…what’s the TAGECL?
initials of the former name of the former company you used to work for !
Got it! 🙂
Susan
I wonder if you have looked into municipal election contributions in your sector. I am reading about the lack of oversight with reference to municipal elections and I am appalled by the fact that it seems to be anything goes (if you can get away with it).
Here is what I am reading for Edmonton:
http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=24035
Darren Boisvert wrote an informative article in the March 2012 edition of the Rat Creek Press on questionable political donations to mayoralty and council election campaigns. The land development industry, and related law firms, home builders, engineering and construction companies are the biggest donors to these campaigns by far. Link: http://www.ratcreek.org/2012.html
Boisvert highlights Dundee Developments which donated the maximum $5,000 to Mandel’s campaign, to all the incumbent Councillors running for re-election (only Don Iveson returned the donation), and to both the Kerry Diotte and Shane Bergdahl campaigns. No wonder Dundee’s Maple Crest development sailed through Council despite all the red flags it should have raised. Maple Crest is shoe-horned between a busy CN Rail line and Whitemud and AHD Drives with only one access road (38 Avenue) to get in or out.
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I went to the Rat Creek Press and looked at some of the information there.
I wonder what the heck is going on in Alberta.
Is democracy fried and in cinders?
I tried to look at the donations but it is very dense stuff.
These folks spent 6 months looking at the information.
It will take me a lot longer.
But certainly I’d like to know what sort of regulations Calgary has in place for municipal election donations and oversight (if any).
Julie, I haven’t done any research in this area but am aware of preliminary research with respect to the last municipal election in Calgary that would support Darren Boisvert’s findings. I will have to check out the Rat Creek Press to learn more. I’ve heard that in the last election developers worked together to fund the pro=development candidates. No doubt they’ll be out in full force again this year given Mayor Nenshi’s support for more growth in the inner city and less sprawl. I plan on being more heavily involved in the municipal election this time around…it’s a good way to get a sense of the real dynamic.
PS Let’s you and I keep at it to ensure that “democracy isn’t fried and in cinders”!
A friend said you might know of a good lawyer who can help out my friend. Her mother, who has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease (& Alzheimer’s) is in the PLC after having been evicted from 2 private care assisted living facilities. After a lot of situations that have been very difficult at the hospital, she is wanting to transfer her mom to a small (3 bedroom) private home. She is the attorney-in-fact on her mother’s personal directive, but he hospital says that they’ll call security on her if she tries to take her mother out. Can you please contact me as soon if you have any good advice or a referral to a lawyer? Many thanks, Mare
Mare, I can’t think of someone off the top of my head but I’ll do some checking and get back to you, okay?
This happened to me as well and I found out that nursing homes will block referrals to prevent the discovery and accountability for their neglect. I also am also seeking an attorney to handle this as my mother died full of gangrene due to the neglect of the nursing home who are free to utilize police resources without impunity to threatend family and fragile seniors. Medical malpractice lawyers I guess is the category.
I am at Linked In at Joan Penny (Penny foundation against elder abuse.)
Susan, I can’t find a contact for you. Would you email me? I’d like to ask your permission to include Susan on the Soapbox in Slaw’s Monday’s Mix feature.
Simon, I’ve sent you an email giving you my permission to include any post on Susan on the Soapbox in Slaw any time. Thank you. I’m honoured.
SW
Susan, I thin I might have replied before to your posts. I would very appreciate the chance to talk to you and get your advice/opinion about some information I have come upon that is very sensitive. I think that you have my email from posting this.
Yes I do, I’ll send you a note.
Hey Susan, I like the soap box. I’ve been working on a series lately that is a commentary on current social/political/economical issues, I’d love it if you’d check it out
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1422441284651985.1073741828.1422278501334930&type=3
I just found a website called Basic Instructions – I thought this explanation called How to Process the Latest Horrible Information was pretty good: http://basicinstructions.net/basic-instructions/2014/4/22/how-to-process-the-latest-horrible-information.html
Kind of puts the actions of all governments into perspective…
Margie, I liked his “on the bright side” comment… 🙂
Hi Susan:
I’ve been enjoying the conversations on your site (particularly the thread on what it was like to hear Alison Redford speak/think). Gave me a few smiles.
I want to let you know that after a good 6-months of research, writing and head-banging, The Elephant Times is back in publishing mode. I have launched a new series called “Even as far as china”, which will be discussing democracy, corruption, and elections around the world and here in Alberta.
I think you and your readers might find the stories and information interesting. It includes stories from my work in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Israel and Palestine as a journalist and electoral media consultant. I will also have stories from my work as an electoral observer in the 2012 Ukraine elections presented.
More to the point here in Alberta, I will soon be publishing an independent electoral observer report on the 2010-2013 civic elections and the widespread violations that the Alberta Government has denied having any legal authority to enforce. It’s a farce, but I hope there are a few smiles for people in the material. It includes material from the Calgary election.
I admit the stories can be difficult, and I’ve already received threats of lawsuits. But the material is sound, the research flawless (I hope!), and the stories a bit shocking. I don’t think I will bore people.
I am also presenting my stories in Banff to a national teachers’ conference on June 25th, and I was wondering if there was some time (before or after) that you would be interested in meeting for coffee. I would very much like to meet you in person, and I think a conversation would be most enjoyable.
Let me know if this might work.
Cheers,
Darren
http://www.theelephanttimes.com
Darren, I apologise for being so slow in getting back to you. I’m delighted that The Elephant Times is back! The main stream media leaves much to be desired and the need for true investigative reporting has never been greater. I look forward to reading the electoral observer report. Please let me know when it’s ready and I’ll provide a link for the Soapbox crowd.
Congratulations on presenting at the teachers conference in Banff. I’ll drop you a line at your email address to see if we can work something out.
All the very best,
Susan
Hi Susan – I recently read your Bread, Circuses and the Great Alberta License Plate Debate in the Huffington Post online. I just purchased a wee village newspaper (300+ subscribers – which I want to grow) and am looking for unique perspectives on situations to increase awareness. The village is Veteran and the paper is The Village Eagle. Could I have permission to reproduce the article with your credits in our newspaper? margaret veteraneagle@gmail.com
Margaret, yes, please feel free to reproduce the article in The Village Eagle. Buying a local newspaper—what an exciting adventure! I just finished reading The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin. She explores the relationship between Teddy Roosevelt, William Taft and an amazing newspaper publisher called S. S. McClure. It reminded me of how influential newspapers can be when they’re in the right hands. All the best.
Susan
HI Susan, Your door knocking post was HILARIOUS. We’d love to record you talking about it for CBC radio, could you please call me at 403-521-6153? Thanks!! Jenn Blair
Love reading these comments. Now I look forward to Susan’s reflections on mergers of all colours, stripes and leanings and what it means for Alberta politics and for democracy. Perhaps a wake up call?
Claudette, “wake up call” is right. I’ve been thinking about the PC/WR discussions and what we can learn from that. Could be one heck of a blog if I can get my thoughts down under 1000 words! I’d love to hear what you and the others think 🙂
Hi Susan, I am hoping to have you on “The Ryan Jespersen Show,” airing on 630 CHED in Edmonton tomorrow (Thursday, January 22) to talk about your HuffPost blog on politicians “misspeaking.” Please let me know if you can fit us in.
Thanks,
Kelsey
I wish I would have started reading your blog posts sooner. It’s too late for that, but at least I will try to catch up.
Thanks Dan, but don’t go too far back, it’s like reading old newspapers–you already know how the story ends 🙂
Love your perspective. Thanks.
Anne, you’re very welcome!
Good morning, Ms Wright. I’ve just stumbled into your blog via a link from David Climenhaga’s, and I find it most interesting. Thank you for this.
Thank you Jerry. Please call me Susan and welcome to the Soapbox! I’ve never met David in person, but we enjoy each others blogs and correspond from time to time.
The 2015 provincial and federal elections are so important. I’m glad you’re adding your voice to the dialogue here and (I’m sure) directly to the politicians as well. They’ll cave sooner or later 🙂
Hi Susan, I have a question for you about a 2014 post. Will you please contact me at maureenm@albertaviews.ab.ca. Thanks, Maureen
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your work in creating this blog. I am an artist who is very concerned about our society’s addiction to fossil fuels and the power structures that are working to control our governments so this can continue. My contribution is a facebook page where I aggregate news stories and information that is not given the coverage it deserves in the major media. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leave-the-Oil-in-the-Ground/338147942929472
The page automatically Tweets from LeaveOilintheGround @leave_oil
I also have the information streamed to my blog http://vix.ca
Now an election is scheduled, I want to support everyone who would like to have a good government , “Good government is a combination of decent values and common sense” that is not serving the agenda of multi-national corporate greed at taxpayers expense.
Good writing about the issues that concern Canadians!
Thanks,
Victoria
Leave the Oil in the Ground
Thank you Victoria for your kind comments. It’s so good to talk with others who are working hard to inform the public of the dilemmas we face as a society and the power structures driving the fossil fuel agenda. I checked out the links you provided. Very informative and as you astutely point out, often unavailable in the mainstream media. I’ll follow you on twitter to make sure I stay abreast with the most current information.
Thank you for all your hard work. It must be grueling.
Take care,
Susan
Hi Susan, I’ve been following your blogs for a long time now and appreciate the knowledge and support to the beleagured who seem to be a minority here in Alberta. I just wanted to know your thoughts on the vicious attack campaign on the NDP government, do you think it’s due to the federal election, or just sore losers.
Ezra, I think it’s both. The federal election and Alberta’s economic slump are giving the conservatives (federal and provincial) and the Wildrose another opportunity to trash the Alberta’s NDP government but anyone who give this more than a millisecond of thought will have a hard time blaming the Notley government for plummeting oil prices and the previous government’s willingness to put Alberta’s fate in the hands of Big Oil. Now that Big Oil is pulling back, the PCs and the WR need to admit they made a serious mistake backing Big Oil to the exclusion of everything else. They’re incapable of doing that (pride? dogma?) so they’ll continue to attack the NDP. What saddens me is the lack of balanced media coverage the NDP are getting. The Calgary Herald publishes 10 Fraser Institute op eds for every one Pembina op ed. Pitiful.
My apologies for the long reply on TTP, canola and cattle. You can contact me directly at contact@cwbafacts.ca or you can review some of the documentation on this rather large subject at CWBA.ca. Our 2015 Election Flyer “Election Facts Harper is Hiding” is available here: http://www.cwbafacts.ca/2015-election-facts-harperishidings/ and is being circulated in various prairie news papers. Best regards,
Hi Susan,
I would like to invite you to a Panel being held by the Calgary Leadership Forum. This Panel is to consult with Albertans and identify ways to optimize returns to our community, as owners of the resource, and review industry investment, diversification opportunities, and to ensure responsible development of Alberta’s resources. Please contact Chris at christopherfyee@gmail.com.
Hi Susan, I vaguely understand that lobbyists are registered, usually represent corporate interests and somehow get access to the Minister & seem to have a lot more influence than volunteer organizations with concerns about social issues or the environment. Any chance of a blog to explain ‘lobbying’ rules, ethics or why it’s legal – on some dark & dreary winter weekend when no other issue comes to mind? I looked it up on the govt website and that’s why I’m asking for an explanation. Thanks.
Carl thanks for your suggestion. I will do some research into the murky world of lobbyists and do a post on it. I expect I’ll have plenty of dark and dreary winter weekends if Trump is elected down south and Trudeau continues to allow his ministers to host little get-togethers at $1500 a pop!
Susan, I just found your blog (Thanks to your latest post on Conservative Ideaology)! Thank you for taking the time to write. I’m looking forward to combing through some of your earlier content.
Something I would love to hear your thoughts on is the role of political satire in polarizing the political spectrum (and essentially social media for amplifying it’s effect!). A few months ago, I was referred to Malcom Gladwell’s pod cast called “Revisionist History” and there was a brilliant episode on the Satire Paradox (http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/10-the-satire-paradox). What starts out as a gentle retrospective on some classic political sketch comedy turns pretty dark in a hurry. In fact, the post cast was recorded in 2012, and Malcom all but predicted the successful campaigning of a Trump like figure, so ripe with satire opportunities that people would quickly lose sight of the REAL issues.
Anyway, if you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend it as I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
Kelly, thank you for your kind comments…I’ve been blogging for a while and it’s taken me some time to get away from the legal writing style to something more readable (in other words my early stuff is a bit a slog!). I’ve always thought political satire plays an important role in spreading political ideas (and what’s wrong with them) but the point you make at the end of your comment (losing sight of the real issues ) is very valid…I’ll check out the references you’ve provided and get back to you on this.
Hi – can you send me a private message please ?
Wanted to pass onsomething that might be of interest to you
D
Duncan are you on Twitter or Facebook…I can DM you.
Hey Susan,
I would like to go over your recent post with you. I’m looking for information behind “Providing $500 million for policing and paying 70% of the RCMP’s costs” I have found the 70% coverage of rcmp costs. But I can’t find anything talking about the 500 million. If you could help me break that down, that would be amazing! Thank you!
Stephen, the source of this number is Hansard, Nov 27, p 1995 where Mr. Schmidt says: “Well, Mr. Speaker, what I can tell the member is that we provide over $500 million to support policing all across the province.” Hope this helps.
Thanks Susan!
Hello, Susan,
Two staff members here at Alberta Views have questions they’d like to ask. The first one is, what’s your email address? Our previous permissions person didn’t save it somewhere where it’s easily retrieved. Hope you’re well!
Thank you Monte for setting the stage and thank you Susan Wright for the overwhelmingly appropriate response. I love it.
Hi Susan…I wrote this after reading Monte Solbergs Op-Ed on the Calgary CBC website…here’s my reply. Wow I was so surprised to come across your response a couple of says later. i gues great minds think alike!
Why Albertans Need to Vote for Rachel Notley
I read with interest an op-ed by Monte Solberg as to why Alberta needs to elect Jason Kenny as their next Premier. It was obviously partisan and very personal piece and for what it’s worth it compelled me to respond because I beg to differ.
I have never met Rachel Notley or Jason Kenny for that matter. I have not lived in Alberta since 1981, although I have visited numerous times and I have both children and grandchildren who live there; I have lived and worked in a number of Provinces as a Superintendent and CEO for several school divisions as well as Ministries of Education. I’m very familiar with the various provincial and territorial governments and their voting traditions and habits
I have never voted NDP in any election either provincially or federally. I consider myself well informed politically speaking and like many Canadians, I’m passionate in believing that the many diverse regions of our country is what makes us strong as a nation. While I have always followed politics with interest, I now have more time to observe more keenly the ebbs and flow of party politics and the dramatic ways in which it is changing. Canada like many Western Democracies are under siege and social media has become the platform of choice for individuals to spew their often cruel and bitter criticism toward politicians. Whether it is Ms. Notley or Mr. Kenny or any other politician who puts their name forward for election, it takes great courage as well as much personal sacrifice to do so and for that they need to be respected and thanked.
It is my hope that Albertans will think long and hard before casting their vote on April 16, 2019. In my view, Alberta needs Rachel Notley, however more importantly Canada needs Rachel Notley. She is without question Canada’s best Premier, she is a passionate Albertan as well as a proud Canadian. I don’t see her as leftist politician, espousing social doctrine that is out of sync with mainstream Canadians. In actual fact Rachel Notley reminds me of Peter Lougheed, who was Premier when I last lived in Alberta and in my view the last progressive Premier Alberta has had until Rachel Notley. After Peter Lougheed’s retirement, subsequent leaders of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party systematically destroyed the brand and now are left with a United Conservative alternative that appears to have little of any policy platform other than the goal to win back power.
Rachel Notley (not unlike Barack Obama when he was elected President of the United States of America in 2008), inherited an economic train wreck and a political mess that nearly destroyed the economy of Alberta as well as its well-earned reputation as the economic engine of Canada. Slowly but wisely Ms. Notley chose a path with a long view to restore Alberta’s leadership role in Canada without sacrificing the programs and services that make Alberta the envy of other provinces and territories. She is pragmatic, tough, passionate and wise. She is beholden to no one except the interests of the good people of Alberta and the greater good of her country. Rachel Notley has navigated Alberta through some of the most challenging and turbulent economic and political times in recent memory; the majority of these challenges she inherited because of lack of action by her predecessors, while others were caused by external circumstances beyond her control…as a leader she has performed admirably and put forward a well-defined plan to get Alberta back to prosperity. From the collapse of global oil prices to the Fort McMurray Wildfires it is hard to conceive a leader who has performed more stoically than Rachel Notley in the past four years.
To conclude, I view Rachel Notley not as a New Democrat, but a leader with the progressive ideals of a Peter Loghheed, the thoughtfulness and practicality of an Ed Broadbent, the economic and social pragmatism of Paul Martin and the wisdom and determination of a Tommy Douglas. Party names mean little anymore and leaders often define where a party situates itself on the always shifting tides of the turbulent political seas leaders must navigate in these uncertain times. Rachel Notley has clearly demonstrated she is a leader for such times and deserves the opportunity to govern for four more years.
If I had the privilege of voting in Alberta’s April 16 Provincial Election, I would vote NDP (Notley’s Democratic Party) and continue the journey back to prosperity with a proven leader who is both passionate and caring about Alberta as well as Canada…Alberta needs her, Canada wants her to succeed. Good Luck Ms. Notley.
John F. Sullivan
Boylston, Nova Scotia
Susan, I have VALDATED INFORMATION as to why cutting taxes for large corps does not create new jobs nor result in economic growth. Your penmanship could do wonders with this info!
Wilfred J Pelletier CPA CMA; FMA Edmonton – How do I get it toy you? (Privately for now) ?
Wilfred, can you contact me on Twitter. I’m @susanspbx. If you follow me I can send you a direct message. Thanks!
Hi Susan. How did you do the analysis for the percentage of support for the political support for the political parties? Thanks.
David I went to Wikipedia 2015 Alberta general election. There’s a box on the right hand side that lists seat count and percentage of popular vote for the 2012 election. NDP 9.85%, WR 34.28% PC 43.97% (leaving 11.9% to others) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Alberta_general_election
Thank you for your thoughtful articles and for speaking up.
Did you know that our local MP Rachael Harder from Lethbridge Alberta, she and other members of Parliament participated in MARCH FOR LIFE…an an anti choice rally? Mainly men but two women MP ‘s ..this is very disturbing.
Many of us fought long and hard in the past for the right to a safe abortion. Indeed I was one of them, believing a unsafe abortion was dangerous and wrong.
I am way ,way past the possibility of getting pregnant, but I still would and will fight for legal abortions. I am for the protection of those who for whatever reason need an abortion, it is not for me to judge. Abortions must be available by a trained medical providers.
I am particularly disturbed , disgusted and distressed by our MP Rachael Harder for participating in such a biased and public way. Fundamental Human Rights are not and should not be Political Issues.
I thought that you might like to know this fact.
Sincerely
(Mrs) Barbara Warren
Barbara, thank you for passing along this information. I had heard that a number of federal MPs participated in the March for Life but did not know Rachael Harder was one of them. Some conservatives said we’re fear mongering by raising our concerns, however our concerns are valid given that in 2012 a backbench conservative in Harper’s caucus tabled a motion to reopen the abortion issue and 10 cabinet ministers including Jason Kenney voted in favour of the motion (it was defeated 203 to 91). The Wilberforce Project, an Alberta anti-abortion group, was jubilant when Kenney’s UCP were elected. They wouldn’t be dancing in the streets if they didn’t think the Kenney government wasn’t going to make access to abortion more difficult.
Here’s the link to the story about the 2012 motion: https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/backbencher-s-abortion-motion-defeated-203-to-91-1.971640
Hello Susan… I’ve not read your ‘soap box’ columns before. During a search on JWR and the SNC debacle I came across your analysis. I read it and thought who writes this well? A quick read of your “About” and it all became clear.
Keep up the great work. Thoughtful and factual information is hard come by in 21st century. You’re a light in the dark.
Best regards from Toronto
JN
Thanks X-ray spex, much appreciated! Many of us here think the only thing worse than Kenney as premier would be Kenney as prime minister. We’re convinced this is his long term objective, it would explain why he attacks Trudeau at every turn. Our only hope is that when it comes time for the federal conservatives to elect a new leader they’ll see what a mess Kenney made of Alberta and decide he’s not the right guy for the job. How did we get into this mess?
Susan – I’d LOVE to read your thoughts on this: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/10/04/news/what-you-need-know-about-alberta-energy-watchdogs-ethics-scandal
rockymountain: Thanks for the link. I’m trying to find the official report online. My initial reaction is one of shock, which arises from (1) the brazen abuse of the public trust the CEO and others engaged in to enrich themselves, (2) the “culture of fear” that prevented employees from bringing this scam to the attention of the authorities and (3) the fact the AEC board knew nothing about it. Something was terribly wrong with their governance practices if a scam of such magnitude could be put together right under their noses and they failed to catch it.
Hi Susan,
Just read your article on Jason Kenney’s first 100 days in power in Alberta Views. Thanks for doing that and well done.
Alberta Views gift subscriptions are only $ 15.00 per year, which suggests to me that a lot of us should give them as gifts to our more intelligent and reasonable friends who still voted UCP for whatever reason. They might benefit from reading Trevor Tombe’s excellent recent article on how Equalization really works and your recent piece.
Michael
“we’re now heading into the worst kind of populism” – and then I see no more of your comment. Can you clarify your remark, please? Thanks. RJ
Thanks Michael. You’re right about Alberta Views giving a good perspective, especially here in Alberta where too many rely on the PostMedia for their news.
PotMedia – gag . . . (shudder) . . .
Hi Susan – I’m a fan. Several of my friends thought you might be interested in my most recent book, coming out in May 2020 called Taking a Break from Saving the World. My publisher would like to send you an e-ARC for your consideration; maybe it would find its way onto the Soapbox? Drop me a note and I’d be delighted to send you a copy.
Stephen, I’ve been out of town and couldn’t get back to you sooner. Any chance you can DM me? Thanks.
I think it would be useful that there be an article / post either here, CBC or Alberta Reviews about the impracticality of alberta pension plan for long term funding.
The sad thing is several provincial pension plans (LAPP, etc.) were rolled into the provincial one within the past month. The reality is that LAPP was never a financial performer like OPSEU trust, OMERS or Ontario Teachers’….I should reveal I did work for prov. Ontario govn’t over a decade, still have personal contacts…the reality is the sheer number of many more municipal employees in Ontario that automatically feed into those pensions, plus thousands many more Ontario provincial employees feed OPESEU.
Already current Alberta public sector pensions don’t have great financial returns…not against the above Ontario groups. We can’t expect an Alberta Pension Plan to perform the same. Not when UCP has made serious budget cuts in education, health care, transit (don’t forget he doesn’t want to fund Green Line), etc.
The reality is that Alberta’s population is puny…against Ontario. There’s just a lot less people living in Alberta to contribute. No astute pension fund manager will be able to enrich the fund…less money. Period.
https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/today-i-rise/#.XmUzZsPe7OY.facebook
Happy IWD 2020, Susan! this is from such a total fan! Gilead is upon us! Keep up the good fight.
I enjoy your blogs. Just let me know when you want to run for Alberta leadership. I am here Gor you.
Thanks for the support Gerard! Much appreciated.
hi
if you haven’t and i missed it would be interested in your opinion on what you mean specifically about ‘worst kind of populism federally’
Thanks for your note rob. I was referring to the standard definition of populism–a political appeal to the so-called ordinary people who feel they’re being pushed around by the elites (in the federal context that would be the “Laurentian Elites.” I’ve updated my bio page to remove the reverence because I don’t know if it applies anymore.
Hello Susan, my name is Natalie, I’m the ED of the Alberta Environmental Network. I’d like to get in touch with you. I tried to DM you through twitter but couldn’t. Can you send me your email address? Thank you.
Natalie, I sent you an email, I hope you got it. If not please send me your twitter handle and I’ll tweet you.
Keep up the great work! I am becoming a fan! Keep up on calling them out. Ask more questions. Hold them accountable. Take a risk. If you ever decide to run for office- I am on board with you!!!
I just read your piece on J Kenney’s handling, or should that read “unhandling” of the gov’ts response to covid.
Covid aside, Kenney has always been a binary thinker. Black/ white; yes/no… it speaks to an intellectual laziness that present in most who think in a binary fashion. Sadly, Albertans are paying the price for his intellectual laziness and overt incompetence.
Way to call him and his gov’t out for their lack of planning and strategy on the file.
Please comment on the new curriculum
Congratulations on your crime writer award and the new published story. I came across reference to those from the Advanced Education sesson on Tuesday that you are moderating. Look forward to seeing you at that Zoom event. Much enjoy your weekly blog as well.
Michael, thank you! Much appreciated.
Susan, how would you like to talk to a virtual meeting of a group of engaged but subversive seniors (the Seniors Action and Liaison Team)? If you like the idea, we are free most afternoons at (about) two weeks’ notice.
John, sorry to be so slow at getting back to you, I’ve been swamped with a project. Anyway, I would love to talk to a virtual meeting of SALT. I think I have Carol’s email address. I’ll send her a note asking her to connect me with you and then we can talk on email. Okay?
I agree that Jason Kenny’s actions are immoral but I also believe they are illegal. Section 219 (1) of Canada’s Criminal Code states: “Every one who in doing anything, or in omitting to do anything that it is his duty to do, shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons is guilty of Criminal Negligence. Who can tell me why Kenny, Shandro and Hinshaw have not been arrested and charged with Criminal Negligence and jailed? There is overwhelming evidence of every aspect of this offence over the last 18 months. The law clearly states “Every one” not “every one but politicians.” Reference: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-51.html
Did you know that they are still performing shoulder surgeries in the private clinics? Anaesthesia, from the hospital, work in these clinics. Shoulder surgeries get done while cancer and children surgeries get bump… only in Alberta!
Norm, this is a very good question which clearly illustrates what happens when a government allows a two tier healthcare system to flourish.
Likely you have seen this? https://globalnews.ca/news/8591105/kenney-defamation-lawsuit-alberta-environmental-groups/ Looking forward to your commentary! All the best.
A friend shared your post on Tyler Shandro’s disciplinary hearing. Very well written! Looking forward to reading future posts. gv