Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

The Progressive Conservatives Prepare for War–Really!

Posted on January 5, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Our organization cannot lose the grassroots donation battle to our opposition if we hope to win the war in 2016.”—Ron Renaud, PC Chief Financial Officer Win the war in 2016???  The “war” metaphor Before we get sucked into the “war” … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Susan on the Soapbox Wins a Clawbie!

Posted on December 31, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

As some of you may know, Susan on the Soapbox was nominated for a Clawbie (the Canadian Law Blog Awards) by ABlawg, an excellent law blog produced by my alma mater, the University of Calgary law school. This morning while … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 33 Comments

CNRL’s Primrose Problem: A Slow Motion Blow Out

Posted on December 29, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson it was scandalous.  When the Alberta government abdicated the regulation of Alberta’s natural resources to an industry-led agency nobody raised an eyebrow. The new Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Traditional Christmas Blog

Posted on December 25, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

The Soapbox family, like your family, does not live in a Norman Rockwell painting. Our Christmas traditions run the gamut from Dolly Parton Christmas carols (don’t ask) to an amazing Christmas dinner prepared to perfection by his nibs, Mr Soapbox. … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Wolves and Rabbits: The $3 billion RFP for Lab Services

Posted on December 22, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

I was slogging through Alberta Health Service’s Request For Proposals (RFP) for a 15 year $3 billion contract to provide lab services in the Edmonton area when the words of a former boss popped to mind…The world is divided into … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care | Tagged , , , | 33 Comments

Redford’s Performance Appraisal: The Building Alberta Plan

Posted on December 15, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison Redford’s performance appraisal document landed on my doorstep a week ago.  It’s called “The Building Alberta Plan 2013 Edition”. In the real world a CEO undergoes an annual performance appraisal with the Compensation Committee of the board of directors.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Redford and Mandela: Hypocrisy and Hope (Part 2)

Posted on December 11, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

“He would continually bring people back to the table.  That was his greatest strength”—Ms Redford on Nelson Mandela* Sadly, Ms Redford never learned how to bring “people back to the table” here in Alberta.  So she resorted to the meat … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Redford and Mandela: Hypocrisy and Hope

Posted on December 8, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

The Redford government’s capacity for hypocrisy knows no bounds.  In the same week that Redford’s PC government passed two corrosive pieces of anti-labour legislation, Ms Redford reflected on what she’d learned as a young lawyer working with Nelson Mandela to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Rich and/or Famous | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

145 Children Die in Government Care; but 89 Don’t Count

Posted on December 1, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

               “WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognizes that children and youth are our greatest resource…blah blah blah”—Child and Youth Advocate Act  One hundred and forty five children died in government care since 1999.  The government reported 56 deaths.  The rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments

One Dead Fish or More Big Ideas? The Quality of Debate in Redford’s Government

Posted on November 24, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Premier Redford complains bitterly about the quality of debate in the Legislature; apparently we need more “big ideas” and less “parochial debate”.*  However her Environmental Minister continues to provide fatuous explanations for why it took nineteen days to issue an … Continue reading →

Posted in Disasters, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 35 Comments