Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

Ziggy in the Christmas Tree

Posted on December 23, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

This was supposed to be a magnificent post about the power of the internet and how it opened the Pandora’s box of the Information Age…it turned a small intimate post about the dog in the Christmas tree. Here’s the backstory.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

The Game of Clue – Part 2 (Did Mr Zwozdesky lie?)

Posted on December 18, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

When we last saw Miss Scarlett (oops, Ms Notley) she had just informed Professor Plum (sorry, House Speaker, Mr Kowalski) that the former Health Minister Mr Zwozdesky (oh the heck with it…Colonel Mustard) had misled the House when he said … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged | 11 Comments

37,000 Lawyers

Posted on December 11, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Lawyers are delightful people…seriously!  I’m not just saying that because I’m a member of the legal fraternity.  They love esoteric debate and understand our laws better than most Canadians.  And when they get riled up they take it to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged | 5 Comments

Bill 24 – The Democratic Process is Swiss Cheese

Posted on December 4, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Alberta’s Privacy Commissioner nailed it when he said that the government’s propensity to override the public’s right to information under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) was turning FOIP into “Swiss cheese”.* This is deeply distressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bill 24 — A Public Inquiry?

Posted on November 27, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Question:  when is a public inquiry not a public inquiry?  Answer:  when the controversial testimony must be given behind closed doors.  Welcome to Bill 24—the Health Quality Council of Alberta Act. We all remember Premier Redford’s breakout moment in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged | 7 Comments

Square Peg/Round Hole — Redford’s Proposal to Beef Up the Health Quality Council Review

Posted on November 20, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

UPDATE — Premier Redford promised changes to the HQC which would allow it to conduct a public inquiry.  She delivered Bill 24 which allows the  HQC  to take the “public inquiry” behind closed doors under a number of circumstances.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

What’s Free Enterprise Got To Do With It?

Posted on November 13, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Occupy Wallstreet…I’ve refrained from wading into this debate (partly because the Canadian experience has not been as devastating as the US experience) however a goofball comment has been tormenting me for weeks and I can’t sit on the sidelines any longer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged | 12 Comments

The Game of Clue

Posted on November 6, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

I love a good mystery, everything from the bucolic Midsomer Murders BBC series to a “whodunnit” board game like Clue.  I wrestle my daughter for the privilege of being Miss Scarlett and pout if I can’t have the miniature candlestick … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Paging Ms Redford

Posted on October 30, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Paging Ms Redford…Ms Redford…?  I’ve been looking for Ms Redford since the day she was elected as Premier of Alberta.  My Ms Redford said “The strongest leaders are the ones that can be authentic…so that you’re truly saying to people … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

The House of Mirrors

Posted on October 23, 2011 by susanonthesoapbox

Recent statements by Finance Minister, Ron Liepert, confirm my suspicion that politics is like a House of Mirrors.  Not a transparent glass house (no stone throwing allowed), but the maze-like puzzle boxes you find at amusement parks and the midway.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 6 Comments