Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

“What Makes Canada So Great?”

Posted on February 16, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Michaela Pereira, CNN television personality and news anchor (I use the term loosely)  asked a member of the Canadian Olympic skiing team this question:  “What makes Canada so great?” My immediate reaction was:  What a goofy question.  Luckily the Canadian … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Rich and/or Famous | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments

CSEC Exonerated

Posted on February 14, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Mr Jean-Pierre Plouffe, CSEC watchdog, has determined that CSEC is off the hook,it did not direct any activity at Canadians or persons in Canada.  He’s hanging his hat on the distinction between “collecting metadata” and “tracking Canadians”.  I guess if CSEC … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

“I Am A Canadian” (Reader Discretion is Advised)

Posted on February 9, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

The Soapbox does not publish rants that appear uninvited in one’s inbox but this one raises some interesting questions for the 2015 federal election.  Here it is: I AM A CANADIAN I am in the minority in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

CSEC Letter from Wayne Easter Liberal MP

Posted on February 7, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week I sent a letter to Justin Trudeau and Liberal MP Wayne Easter expressing support the Liberal bill that would impose parliamentary oversight over CSEC.  Here is Mr Easter’s reply.  I copied my letter to the Prime Minister, his … Continue reading →

Posted in Privacy and Surveillance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Forget “Angry Birds” Where are the Angry Canadians?

Posted on February 2, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Saturday’s headline in Canada’s “newspaper of record”, The Globe and Mail, was not “Harper government caught spying on Canadians” but “Rob Ford admits jaywalking ticket in Vancouver”.  Are you kidding me??? Let’s review the week, shall we? It started with … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

The Trouble with Ezra Levant…

Posted on January 26, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Ezra Levant is a Canadian media personality, an ultra-conservative political activist, author and lawyer who has made a brilliant career out of being half right.  In a recent episode of The Source, Mr Levant outlined the flaws in Neil Young’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 58 Comments

The Buck Stops Here — Privacy 101 for Minister Horne — A guest blog by lawyer Brian Thiessen

Posted on January 25, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Susan on the Soapbox welcomes her first guest blogger.  Employment and privacy lawyer Brian Thiessen has a few words to say about a privacy breach that impacts 620,000 Albertans.  The title says it all.  The Buck Stops Here–Privacy 101 for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, General Health Care, Guest Bloggers, Politics and Government, Privacy and Surveillance | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Does Fort Mac Look Like Hiroshima?

Posted on January 22, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Neil Young said many provocative things about the oilsands, but the one that became a lightning rod for criticism was this: “The fact is, Fort McMurray looks like Hiroshima”.*  He later explained that the reference to Fort McMurray was meant … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 23 Comments

Neil Young is Right

Posted on January 19, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Take a second to really look at what you hear.” – Neil Young, singer/songwriter Neil Young knows how to rile up a crowd.  In a 15 minute press conference* to kick off his Honour the Treaties Tour with Diana Krall … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 99 Comments

Minister Bhullar’s Revelation: 741 Children Die in Government Care

Posted on January 12, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week Human Services Minister Manmeet Bhullar made a shocking announcement—741 children died in government foster homes or other forms of government care since 1999.  This is 13 times higher than the 56 reported by the government in its annual … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments