Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

Responding to Orlando

Posted on June 19, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Can we talk about that which cannot be named? On June 12 forty-nine people were massacred at a nightclub in Orlando. Alberta’s political leaders expressed their horror at the senseless slaughter. All but one of the politicians recognized that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Rachel Notley and the Wonder Women

Posted on June 12, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Anyone who thinks women are too emotional and unpredictable for a life in politics hasn’t met Rachel Notley and the Wonder Women. Ms Soapbox had the pleasure of meeting some of the Wonder Women this weekend at the NDP Convention. … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 23 Comments

Physician Assisted Dying: How the SCC got there

Posted on June 9, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s a paradox. Your right to die is an affirmation of your right to live. In a unanimous decision of astonishing clarity the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) decided that the Criminal Code prohibition on physician-assisted dying violates your Charter … Continue reading →

Posted in General Health Care, Law | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

The Wildrose and PCs Weigh In On Medically Assisted Dying

Posted on June 5, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

We’ve seen a lot of fireworks in the Alberta Legislature but nothing can match the rhetoric and misinformation that characterized the response of the Wildrose (and to a lesser extent the Progressive Conservatives) to the government’s motion to regulate medical … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, General Health Care, Law, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Dividing Up the Family Home

Posted on May 29, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Ms Soapbox and her sister Elle are on Vancouver Island visiting the folks.  (Elle is not her real name but she values her privacy and bites and throws things if she doesn’t get her way–or at least she did when … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Uncategorized | Tagged | 26 Comments

The Wildrose Vision (such as it is)

Posted on May 22, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Brian Jean, leader of the Wildrose party, has a vision for uniting Alberta’s conservatives. It’s based on “the best elements” of Peter Lougheed and Ralph Klein’s legacies and rejects the “liberal drift” and “questionable ethics” that forced Wildrose members out … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Fort McMurray Wildfire: Another Wasted Opportunity for the Wildrose

Posted on May 15, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

On May 10, Danielle Larivee, minister of Municipal Affairs, welcomed Wildrose MLAs Brian Jean and Tany Yao back to the Legislature.  They’d been in Fort McMurray surveying the damage from the wildfire. Mr Jean received a standing ovation. He personally … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

Ghomeshi’s Apology

Posted on May 12, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

It’s over. Yesterday Jian Ghomeshi signed a peace bond and apologized to Kathryn Borel.  The Crown dropped the sexual assault charge. Here’s Mr Ghomeshi’s apology and Ms Borel’s reply. Ghomeshi’s apology I want to apologize to Ms. Borel for my … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Law, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 19 Comments

What We Learned from the Fort McMurray Wildfire

Posted on May 8, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

The government calls it MWF-009. Darby Allen, the regional fire chief of Wood Buffalo, calls it The Beast. Regardless of what it’s called the Fort McMurray wildfire is erratic, unpredictable and extremely dangerous. It was spotted on Sunday May 1; … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

The Wildrose Sips Leninade. Really?

Posted on May 1, 2016 by susanonthesoapbox

Just when you thought you’d seen it all the Wildrose Official Opposition upped the ante on red-baiting. They’re using Members’ Statements, a part of the Legislature’s Daily Order of Business, to push their “NDP-are-commies” narrative. Members’ Statements  Members’ Statements give … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments