Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

The Leader and His Team

Posted on March 29, 2020

It’s been a tough week for everyone; especially that “young, energetic and diverse team with deep experience” that Jason Kenney (his words by the way) appointed to Cabinet. Health Minister Shandro took it upon himself to turn up at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Education, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments

The Impact of COVID-19 on Democracy

Posted on March 22, 2020

James Madison said tyranny arises “on some favourable emergency”. The COVID-19 pandemic is today’s “favourable emergency.” It’s being used by unscrupulous politicians as a smokescreen for undemocratic behavior in Alberta’s Legislature and an excuse for Jason Kenney to enlist the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

COVID-19: A Study in Leadership

Posted on March 15, 2020

 “The first role of government is to help people in crisis or need. That’s why we have government.”– John McCain Crisis separates the leaders from wannabes. We will be watching our leaders and wannabes very carefully over the next few … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 57 Comments

Budget 2020 and the Snake

Posted on March 8, 2020

On Feb 27, 2020 the Kenney government released Budget 2020. The day it was tabled it was under water, less than two weeks later it drowned. It sank beneath the surface once and for all because of a snake (or … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments

Bill 1 and Freedom of Assembly

Posted on March 1, 2020

What do the Wet’suwet’en First Nations blockades have to do with Alberta’s Budget 2020? Everything. The blockades are the rationale (flimsy as it is) for Bill 1, Critical Infrastructure Defence Act which the Kenney government will use to quell protests … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Economy, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Teck Withdraws the Frontier Application

Posted on February 24, 2020

Let’s try to have a sensible conversation about Teck, shall we? On Sunday, Feb 23, 2020 Teck Resources Ltd pulled its application for the Frontier oil sands project.  The federal government was supposed to give Frontier the green light, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate Change, Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 53 Comments

Family Day Alberta Style

Posted on February 16, 2020

Tomorrow is Family Day in Alberta. While we wait for Jason Kenney’s Family Day announcement extolling the virtues of the family and maybe throwing in a reference to Albertans as “people of destiny” (he hasn’t rolled out that hoary chestnut … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Education | Tagged , , , , | 27 Comments